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National Park Resources
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
General Resources
National Park Resources
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
General Resources
National Park Resources
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
General Resources
Trip Highlights:
Our all-female Young Women’s Backpacking Summer Camp Adventure is aimed at instilling confidence and leadership skills in the next generation of female adventurers! Available in 6-day sessions, these unique Washington summer camps for girls ages 13-17 are led by our top female guides! Along the way, our knowledgeable outdoor educators focus on showing young women their true potential in both an outdoor setting and in their day-to-day lives, while teaching the practical skills of backpacking and outdoor safety. (Note: youth will be grouped with like ages and between a younger and older group pending actual registrations).
Through our adventure-based programming, campers will be challenged to turn their goals into action on a daily basis, utilizing perseverance and determination to summit mountains and accomplish new feats. Our experienced outdoor educators, who are are trained specifically for the Olympic area, share their knowledge with participants as the group covers between 4 and 8 miles of hiking each day. For young women looking to develop their outdoor skills by fully immersing in some of the world’s most majestic wilderness, the Olympic Young Women’s Backpacking Adventure is the ultimate choice.
Age Range
Price
Length
Length
Day 1: Meet your guides and fellow campers at 12:00 PM at Fairholme Boat Launch beside the beautiful and famous Lake Crescent. Meeting at this location allows us to cut 1 to 2 hours off the driving time for parents, and gives us the opportunity to camp at an established campground, complete with bathrooms! This evening, we’ll get to know each other around a fire.
Day 2: After morning circle time (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) our professional drivers transport campers and guides from Fairholme Campground to Rialto Beach (~1 hour by staff or shuttle service). Upon arriving at the coast, we will then hike 3.8 to the Chilean Memorial Campsite.
Day 3: Today we hike 6.3 miles on relatively flat terrain to our first primitive campsite at Norwegian Memorial. will be a layover day, with an easier day of hiking while carrying lighter day packs. Upon arriving at camp, we will return to camp and spend the evening learning new skills and activities.
Day 4: This morning we rise and circle up to stretch before having breakfast and setting out for the ~5.5 miles to our next camp at Yellow Banks.
Day 5: Another ~5.5-mile day! After a hardy breakfast, we pack up camp and make our way north on a spectacular trail that weaves on and off the beach, with views of the ocean the whole time! We make camp at Cape Alava and soak in the ocean breeze.
Day 6: Our last day! Today we hike an easy 3.4 miles from camp to our exit point at Ozette Campground, where we’ll meet our transport to the Fairholme Boat Launch for pickup with the parents.
Other: On all of our summer camps, we have a daily circle time in the morning where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer encouragement and support to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail or in the afternoon or evening in the campsite, our Guides facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
Please remember this is only a sample itinerary and actual itineraries are subject to change. If we are unable to obtain the permits for the Sol Duc Loop, or if various conditions make this itinerary unfeasible, we will provide an alternative trailhead and itinerary in Olympic National Park.
Day 1: You will meet your Guides/Counselors at 12:00 PM. You will have time to become acquainted with your group as well as your backpacking gear. We will then facilitate a group orientation, answering any last parent or participant questions before hitting the trail. We will hike 2.5 miles to picturesque Mink Lake high in the mountains and surrounded by fir trees. We will settle in for our first night in the backcountry with dinner and the promise of incredible views and memories over the coming days.
Day 2: After morning circle time (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) we will embark on one of our more strenuous days of uphill as we travel to Deer Lake. We will play plenty of trail games and tell stories keeping spirits high as we pass through forests draped in mosses and slime molds. After we arrive at camp, we will have the chance to enjoy the cool alpine lake water and relax as we watch the alpenglow of the mountains reflected in the water.
Day 3: Today will be our longest day, hiking over 6 miles to CB Flats Campground. Although strenuous, we will be rewarded with abundant wildflowers as we hike out of the thick forests and into the subalpine, where the views open up to the majestic Olympic mountains. Looking back on the valleys and lakes below, we will be able to see just how far we have come already. We will finish our day with a descent past beautiful Hoh Lake and camp in a more secluded area near meadows of wildflowers.
Day 4: Today we will hike about 5 miles to Sol Duc Park. Our trail today takes us across the High Divide and provides unparalleled views of the Olympic and Bailey mountain ranges. We will break for lunch at one of the passes and relax near alpine lakes, mountain creeks, and fields of wildflowers. We might even have the opportunity for sledding and snowball fights! Hiking through the Seven Lakes Basin is an unforgettable experience and our sleep tonight will be well deserved.
Day 5: On our second to last day, we will continue about 2 miles to Seven Mile Group Site. Because of our low mileage today, we can have a relaxed morning and take our time identifying all of the flora and fauna of the forest. We will spend the afternoon learning about the geological, cultural, and human history of the park as we relax in the shade of giant trees near the river.
Day 6: On our final day we will pass by the famous Sol Duc Falls as we descend to the pick-up location by noon for pickup.
Other: On all of our summer camps, we have a daily circle time in the morning where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer encouragement and support to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail or in the afternoon or evening in the campsite, our Guides facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
Please remember this is only a sample itinerary and actual itineraries are subject to change. If we are unable to obtain the permits for the Sol Duc Loop, or if various conditions make this itinerary unfeasible, we will provide an alternative trailhead and itinerary in Olympic National Park.
Due to the nature of the permitting process, we will be unable to provide the final meeting and pickup location until around two weeks prior to your child’s adventure. Many trips will meet at 12pm at the Fairholme Campground near Olympic National Park. Another common meeting location might include the Sol Duc Trailhead. A less often used meeting location on the east side of the park would be at the Staircase Campground. A link to a map will be provided in the email announcing the final meeting location for your child’s adventure. You will look for a Lasting Adventures trailer or vehicle. All meeting locations will include parking areas or room to pull off of the road and an area for the youth to go through their gear with the guides and make final decisions on what to bring or leave behind. All pickups occur on Friday, 12 pm.
Our summer camp programs are purely recreational in nature and should not be confused with a wilderness therapy program. Our staff is trained as summer camp counselors, outdoor educators, and/or guides and they are not required or expected to have training/experience in therapeutic programs. Your child should individually have the desire to participate in this program and should not be sent against his/her will. Additionally all participants should have experience at sleepaway camps and/or being away from their parents/guardians for multiple nights. No refunds will be given for evacuations due to social, emotional, and/or behavioral reasons. In addition, there will be a minimum fee of $500 for any field evacuation due to said concerns.
In addition to full payment; final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.
We will require an additional medical release for any participants on multi-day trips or any participant who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.
Although we are able to accommodate many specific dietary constraints and choices, we prepare foods in a facility with peanuts, gluten, soy, and other major allergens, and are not certified as an ‘allergen-free’ facility. We take steps to limit the risk of cross-contamination, but we cannot guarantee that foods we prepare will be fully free of major allergens.
We have experience accomodating a variety of dietary choices and concerns, including, but not limited to:
If we have questions or concerns about the information on your medical form, we will call you the day before your trip to ensure we are packing foods you are able to eat without issue.
Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without the use of porters, stock, or other outside assistance. You will be expected to carry all of your own personal gear and a share of the group gear and food in a backpack for the duration of this trip. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lbs and no more than the recommended ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to conduct a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and strenuous and uneven terrain. Levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty, and a regular physical exercise program is recommended prior to going on your adventure.
All trips are subject to itinerary changes for a wide variety of reasons including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most all situations we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control prior to its start date a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued.
Due to the nature of backpacking, our guides work long hours. In order to provide the best possible experience to our guests and our guides, we limit the number of hours that our guides work to 15 hours per day. Guides will not be required to be available from 9 pm to 6 am, unless a different time period is agreed upon by the group prior to this standard break period. This varies on our summer camps, where our outdoor educators are available as needed at all times.
During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies, but should be allowed to rest and should not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. Please refrain from requesting non-time-sensitive assistance from guides during this period. Our guides are also entitled to take off 10 minutes every four hours, as well as 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. We appreciate your cooperation with these scheduling requirements.
Lasting Adventures understands that firearm laws and policies vary in every area we operate in. Regardless of local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures does not allow firearms on any of our trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while in possession of their firearm.
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. Travel Insurance through the Protect Group is available at checkout for 10% of the total cost of your trip. See more information on this policy HERE. You are also welcome to purchase any other travel insurance of your choice.
Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect both yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We will happily provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips upon request.
Full payment is preferred for all Youth Summer Camps. During check-out you may opt to pay a 50% deposit at time of booking and the remaining 50% 30 days from departure. If choosing this option you can either complete payment on your own with the self-service link in the confirmation email or you will be billed automatically at or shortly after the 30 day interval for the remaining amount. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45-days in advance will be required to pay in full. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan. When registering online expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check. For detailed information see Payment Options.
Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.
Cancellations of any trip can be made without penalty within 48 hours of the initial booking. After 48 hours our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued. In this case, you will be required to submit proof of the purchase of said travel insurance. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will refund a credit equal to the amount of days not used. In both cases these credits will be lifetime/transferable.
Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no opportunities for refunds or credits will be possible, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance (below) is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our Summer Camps have a four person minimum. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30-days in advance of your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge.
Infectious Disease Policy (including COVID): Any participant, on any program/trip, with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate and no refund/credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child prior to participation and contact us to cancel should any sign of illness be present. Health screenings can be expected on all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is a risky activity which can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable.
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to a credit must occur more than 30 days prior to your original start date. Changes within 30-days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.
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