2026 Departure Dates by Month
20-Day Teen Leadership Expedition
What To Expect
Lasting Adventures is proud to offer a 20-Day Teen Leadership Expedition for youth ages 14 to 18! This 20-day wilderness adventure summer camp in the California high country is geared toward youth looking for an adventure beyond the ordinary summer camp. Learn all the skills needed to plan, prep and guide your own backpacking trips along with the skills to be an effective leader, whether you’re walking in the woods or working on a project in school. This course will focus on backpacking and leadership skills as participants “discover” some of the best highlights in/around Yosemite National Park.
Our Teen Leadership Expedition is a 20-day intensive backpacking trip focused on building effective leadership skills for youth to apply in both backcountry and front country settings. Participants will spend the first 13 days backpacking through Yosemite National Park. As participants discover Yosemite, they will partake in leadership and team-building activities while learning the hard skills of backpacking, including tarp shelter construction, fire building, stove use, plant and animal ID, Yosemite geology and biology as well as various debriefing methods. Following Yosemite, the group will be relocated to a campsite in the Stanislaus National Park. While at this campsite for the next few days, they will learn the principles of expedition culture and take courses to earn their Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace certifications. They will also partake in a class IV whitewater rafting trip along the famous Tuolumne River! During the final few days of this adventure summer camp, the group will return to Yosemite, where they will slowly be given autonomy to collectively choose routes and guide themselves with facilitation and advice from their Guides. As a culmination of the skills learned, the final days will be completely guided by participants, with Guides out of sight ahead and behind the group (for assistance only).
Throughout the program, participants will be exposed to and gain knowledge and/or skills in the following areas:
- Geology
- Natural History
- Cultural History
- Environmental Science
- Goal setting
- Leadership Skills and Team Building activities
- Group communication and problem-solving skills
- Advanced Backpacking skills and environmental awareness
- Outdoor Job Awareness
- Introduction to Search and Rescue
- Community Service
- Leave No Trace Awareness
- Summit peaks such as Half Dome.
- Wilderness First Aid Certification
- Class IV Whitewater Rafting along the Tuolumne River.
By the end of the expedition, participants will have been trained in and utilized the logistical and practical aspects of backpacking expeditions as well as the skills needed for effective leadership and teamwork.
- 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, Yosemite Adventure Shuttle info, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
- 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.
- Should reservations be necessary to enter Yosemite, your booking confirmation with us will serve as your entry reservation for the days booked with us. This should not be confused with entry fees, which still may be required.
- Space is limited!
- This program is open to participants ages 14-18. (18-year-olds who have just graduated from high school and have not yet started college can also attend.)
- The Leadership Expedition is popular, and these spots fill up quickly. When spots are filled for the season, we will begin a waiting list in case of cancellations. These spots can also be carried over as first picks for the Leadership Expedition the following season.
- Due to the extended nature of this trip, we recommend that participants wishing to apply are in good physical condition or begin a conditioning regimen before the trip. While no previous backpacking experience is necessary, potential applicants should consider the rugged nature and extended nature of the expedition.
- 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 the first time backpacker as well as those who might have previous backpacking experience.
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 13yos and all 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 experiences they are after.
Is there a Packing/Equipment List?
Yes, for a detailed packing list, see the Sierra (CA) Youth Summer Camp Packing and Equipment List.
What if my child is attending alone, without friends?
Over 50% of our participants come without other friends, which can vary from trip to trip. From day one and throughout the program, our guides facilitate activities and games to bond all the youth. It is almost too common for youth who come with friends to leave with new and better friendships with others. 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.
Can you tell me about the staff?
Our Outdoor Educators are some of the best professionals in the field who share a passion for the outdoors and sharing that with others in a fun and caring manner. All staff go through a rigorous application process and background check where they must demonstrate experiences in the outdoors, 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 as well as they are consistently supervised throughout the season.
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.
Is there transportation provided?
Yes, we operate a shuttle from San Francisco International Airport with additional stops in the Bay before heading to Yosemite National Park. See here for more information: Yosemite Adventure Shuttle.
What about special diets and/or dietary restrictions?
Don’t worry we got you covered. We have a long history of meeting the needs of most all dietary restrictions and even some very complicated ones. When registering, you will complete a questionnaire to give us a brief picture of your needs. Then, later, you will complete a more detailed Medical form where you can include more information. The staff guiding your trip will call you the day prior and when they are packing the food/gear for the trip to 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 critters, so we do not encounter any problems with them.
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 an option up to 30 days prior to the trip. For a full description, visit our Terms and Conditions page.
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, energy bars, etc. Lunches are carried in a shared bear can or stuff sack that the participants can pull from as needed.
Will we receive updates during the summer camp session?
Unfortunately, no, and NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. Because these groups backpack in remote wilderness areas, there is little to no cell service, and communication is limited. However, group leaders use satellite technology to send the required nightly “All-ok” check-ins, which also include their GPS location, which we track in our offices. They can also send custom messages for all other emergencies or for any other issue they need support with. So we go by “No news is good news.” As always, if there is ever any emergency or concern involving your child, you will be one of the first to be notified.
Do you supply the backpacking gear?
Yes, thanks to our partnerships with some of the best gear companies, we can provide backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, trekking poles, and tents (if necessary). There will be a place to indicate what you would like to borrow when completing 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.
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 know that we watch group composition and group youth with similar ages/sexes.
- See here for more Frequently Asked Questions.
