Yosemite Outdoor Summer Camps

Our outdoor summer camps, also known as the Yosemite High Country Adventure youth backpacking trips, are our specialty. We offer a 6-day summer adventure camp for kids ages 11-13, and a choice of a 6-day or 13-day program for youth ages 13-18. Our goals include providing unforgettable experiences that intimately connects each youth with nature, themselves, and the greater world around them.

Throughout the outdoor summer camp, participants will be guided along some of the most famous trails and to the top of some of the most iconic passes and peaks within Yosemite National Park. Our experienced leaders have an extensive knowledge of the Yosemite backcountry. In addition to taking our participants to many of the famous locations, our leaders will also guide participants to lesser known areas that we have found over the years such as off-the-trail high alpine lakes (where fish are plentiful), backcountry waterfalls, alpine meadows, spectacular vistas, watering holes, upon polished granite, and during some amazing sunsets. On most trips, we backpack every day but one (a layover day and location is usually agreed upon by the team) and we are on the trail for an average of 3-5 hours. Most of our trips go from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and throughout the experience, we take our time, take in the views, and break at awesome watering holes. Yet, viewing the Yosemite backcountry is only one of the many outcomes that occur on these trips.

Our Yosemite Adventure Summer Camp Mission

Our primary mission for our outdoor summer camp is to use the natural environment and outdoor activities to teach participants the necessary skills and attitudes for living successful lives. We also strive to foster an appreciation for the wilderness, nature, and the world around us. In addition to unique individual backgrounds and certifications, our leaders are all trained in Adventure Based Programming. Through Adventure Based Programming, participants will be challenged to improve their sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. Participants will participate in daily goal setting, group activities and debriefing (usually mixed in with marshmallows around the campfire.) This is all done within an environment of fun and support. All participants will also learn basic backpacking skills, wilderness ethics, wilderness appreciation and engage in Leave No Trace principals. Along with creating lasting memories, it is our goal that participants will finish this adventure with a greater knowledge of themselves, the world, and the environment around them.