2026 Departure Dates by Month
Sequoia 10-Day Summer Camp Backpacking Trip Itinerary
This is a Sample Itinerary only and is subject to change.Â
Day 1: Meet your guides/outdoor educators and group at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Get acquainted while enjoying your lunch. Drive to Cold Springs Campground. We will get to know each other with icebreakers and games this evening.
Day 2: An early start gets us to the trailhead and on the trail. Stop for lunch at the first of many scenic vistas and enjoy the 3.5-mile stroll down to our campsite by Panther Gap.
Day 3: On this day, we will leave our heavy packs behind and enjoy a 6-mile day hike to the 11,208-foot Alta Peak, from which we will view our route for the remainder of the trip and the beauty of the Sequoia high country.
Day 4: Shoulder your pack again for this 7-mile journey past many beautiful creeks and through the forest before emerging into an open meadow and campsite.
Day 5: Today’s 7.5-mile journey brings us up near treeline to some of the prettiest blue lakes in the park. Enjoy dinner with a sunset view of the cliffs and craggy peaks of the Hamilton Lakes area.
Day 6: Today’s shorter hike, only 4 miles, packs a lot in. Start by crossing the Kaweah gap, a 10,700-foot pass with incredible views across to the Eastern Sierra and beyond. The rest of the day, you will descend below the towering Kaweah peaks to the head of Big Arroyo Canyon to camp.
Day 7: On this day, we leave the canyon and travel over 8 miles across 3 lake basins to a quiet campsite at Lost Canyon.
Day 8: Travel up the canyon until you break out of the trees and get your first glimpse of 11,000 ft. Sawtooth Pass. This is a difficult but rewarding 5.5-mile day past the huge Columbine Lake. Once on the pass, you will have great views in both directions, including all the way down to your exit trailhead. Camp below the pass at Monarch Lake.
Day 9: On your last day, descend from the high country back down to the lowlands at Mineral King. Celebrate your success.
Day 10: After a restful night, enjoy breakfast and pack up before the return shuttle to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.Â
Other: On all of our summer youth programs, we have a daily morning meeting where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer praise to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail in the afternoon or evening at the campsite, our Outdoor Educators also 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.
Note: Remember, this is only a sample itinerary. As communicated in advance, we can accommodate late arrivals on this first day.
Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
- Our trips are all-inclusive. We provide all meals, and we can provide, free of charge, high-quality gear, including Gregory backpacks and Big Agnes sleeping bags & pads. Group gear including tarps (or tents if necessary), all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification is also included. See the Youth Summer Camp Equipment List for more information.
- As needed, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
- The meeting & ending location will be at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Cell Phone Lot. Participants arriving by plane and upon arrival will make phone contact with our on-site staff who will direct them to the meeting location.
- Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
- See here for our full Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policies.
- Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
My child has never backpacked before, is that ok?
Yes, our trips are perfect for first-time backpackers and those with prior backpacking experience. Our professional, caring, and fun Outdoor Educators design innovative, engaging ways to teach and orient all participants to backpacking during the first days of a trip, and by the end, they come home feeling quite accomplished backpackers. Additionally, often, those with backpacking experience are past participants returning for different itineraries, more exploration, and additional lasting memories.Â
Which youth backpacking camp is best for my child?
For ages 11-13, we recommend our 6-Day Young Adventurers program. For more mature/physically developed 13-year-olds and older youth, they can consider our 6-, 10-, 13-, and/or 20-day programs. It’s really up to your child and how much fun and memorable outdoor explorations they are after.
What if my child is attending alone, without friends?
Over 50% of our participants come without friends, though this can vary by trip. From day one and throughout the program, our Outdoor Educators facilitate activities and games to help all youth bond. It is almost too common for youth who come with friends to leave with new, stronger friendships. It’s just the nature of how we have run our programs for the past thirty years: to be all-inclusive and fun for every attendee.
How can I check what other ages/sexes are enrolled?
Historically, we experience increasing bookings from December through June, with almost 50% of bookings occurring in the late spring. You are welcome to book early and check back periodically to monitor group composition, while knowing we allow date changes as often as you like. Also, during our booking period, we continuously monitor group composition to ensure similar age and gender distributions across groups.
Is there a Packing/Equipment List?
Yes, for a detailed packing list, see the Sierra (CA) Youth Summer Camp Packing and Equipment List.
Do you supply the backpacking gear?
Yes, thanks to our partnerships with leading gear companies, we can provide backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, trekking poles, and tents (as needed). There will be a field to indicate what you would like to borrow when you complete the required forms after registering.
How much weight can the youth expect to carry?
Youth should be able to carry a backpack of 25-45lb, and not to exceed â…“ of their body weight. The weight is a combination of their personal gear and part of the group gear. Always bigger youth carry more, and smaller youth carry less.
Can you tell me about the staff?
Our Outdoor Educators are among the best professionals in the field, sharing a passion for the outdoors and for sharing it with others in a fun and caring manner. All staff undergo a rigorous application process and background check, during which they must demonstrate experience in outdoor recreation, backpacking, working with youth, risk management, and customer service. All staff must possess a Wilderness First Responder certification and also pass a Department of Justice fingerprint background check. Our staff are trained yearly by us, and they are consistently supervised throughout the season with required pre- and post-trip meetings/reviews.Â
What is the staff to camper ratio?
We always have at least two staff members for each youth group that doesn’t exceed 10 youth.
What kind of food is supplied on these trips?
We eat good food!
- Breakfasts and dinners are prepared and eaten together.
- Typical breakfasts might include breakfast burritos, oatmeal, eggs & breakfast meats, dried fruit, bagels, etc.
- Dinner examples include a variety of pastas (Mac & Cheese and others), burritos, stews, veggies, etc.
- Lunches consist of trail food, fruits, and veggies. Examples include pita, bagels, salami, cheeses, hummus, fresh veggies, dried fruits, peanut butter, trail mix, and energy bars. Lunches are carried in a shared bear can or stuff sack that the participants can pull from as needed.
What about special diets and/or dietary restrictions?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We have a long history of meeting the needs of almost all dietary restrictions, including some very complex ones. When registering, you will complete a questionnaire to provide a brief overview of your needs. Later, you will complete a more detailed Medical form to provide additional information. The staff guiding your trip will call you the day prior and, when they are packing the food/gear for the trip, will go over your needs and modifications in more detail. Although we have many options in stock, we respect it if you ultimately decide to bring your preferred substitutions.
What about the wildlife?
The wildlife in the parks we operate in is not really a significant threat. Black bears are naturally afraid of people and are easily scared away. In addition to the bears, we encounter many other animals and critters, including deer, squirrels, marmots, birds, and even rattlesnakes and scorpions. We work with participants to teach them to respect animals and wildlife, so we do not encounter any issues.
Will we receive updates during the summer camp session?
Unfortunately, no. We go by the principle that no news is good news. Because these groups backpack in wilderness areas, there is little to no cell service, and communication is limited. However, group leaders use satellite technology to stay in contact with our office and send the required nightly “All-ok” check-ins, including their GPS location, which aligns with their intended itinerary on file with our office and in each park’s systems. They can also send custom messages for any other emergencies or issues requiring support. As always, if there is ever any emergency or concern involving your child, you will be one of the first to be notified.
If you need to reach us, please note that both our 1-800-513-8651 voicemail and Staff@LastingAdventures.org email are actively monitored by multiple members of our on-call Admin team. Your contact will be responded to as soon as possible.Â
About one-two weeks after the camp has concluded, you will receive an email that includes a daily journal, trip highlights, and a link to pictures from the trip.
How much experience does Lasting Adventures have in operating youth wilderness trips?
Lasting Adventures has been operating youth wilderness backpacking trips since 1997. We are highly experienced in the industry and know the parks we operate in better than many others. Additionally, the park staff knows us and respects our experience.Â
What if there is an emergency or a child gets sick or injured?
With over 30 years of experience operating youth wilderness camps, Lasting Adventures has faced a wide range of issues, including bug bites, twisted ankles, illnesses, and wildfires. If there is an emergency with your child or their group, you will be notified as soon as possible. Our highly trained staff also has direct contact with our on-call admin team and with the dispatch for Ranger and Search and Rescue (with helicopter support) in the parks, as needed. Fortunately, because we focus on managing risks and educating youth on safety protocols from day one, our evacuation needs have been minimal. Â
As far as wildfire concerns go, we are fortunate to operate in alpine areas (or beach areas in Olympic) where the risk of rapid wildfire growth is minimal. (Simply put, our normal hiking speed is typically faster than a wildfire can spread in these areas.)Â However, if a wildfire erupts, park personnel are dispatched promptly and will support an evacuation if necessary. The bigger threat is unhealthy smoke levels coming from wildfires many miles away. When a distant wildfire erupts, we use an established evacuation criterion based on smoke levels and wind patterns, which we monitor consistently while in contact with field groups.
Is there transportation provided?
Yes, this program includes a round-trip shuttle from the meeting location at the Fresno/Yosemite International Airport Cell Phone Parking Lot.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, Lasting Adventures is a nonprofit with the mission to foster environmental stewardship, teach responsible recreation, and provide opportunities for personal growth by facilitating impactful wilderness experiences. You can see here to Apply For a Scholarship.
What is your cancellation policy?
Lasting Adventures offers a very forgiving and structured Cancellation Policy, with lifetime, transferable credit always available up to 30 days prior to the trip. For a full description, visit our Terms and Conditions page.
Do you have a parent referral list of past participants parents I can contact to hear first hand about their experiences?
Yes, see here for our Parent Reference List.Â
Also, feel free to search our Google and TripAdvisor reviews, which feature hundreds of testimonials from past summer camp participants and parents.
- See here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
