6 & 13-Day Yosemite Young Women’s Programs

Yosemite Young Women's Adventure

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Ages 13-17

all girl summer camp

Backcountry Camping

6 or 13 days

Leadership Skills

Our all-female Young Women’s Backpacking Summer Camp Adventure Program is aimed at instilling confidence and leadership skills in the next generation of female adventurers! With options for either a 6-day or 13-day session, this unique girls summer camp for ages 13-17 is led by our top female guides and focuses 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 by utilizing perseverance and determination to summit mountains and accomplish feats they never imagined. While trekking the glorious Sierra Nevada mountain range, these young explorers will also get a crash course on influential female adventurers in Yosemite’s history and issues related to women’s roles in the outdoors and society.

With the knowledge of the great legacy of women who came before them, this Yosemite backpacking trip voyages along high-altitude mountains, lakes and meadows, giving young women a sense of self-empowerment and confidence that they can to apply in every facet of their lives.

Book 13 Day

Book 6 Day

Age Range

13-17

Price

$1850-$3,900

Length

6 Days

Length

6 Days

Mileage & Difficulty

35-75 Miles

Moderate-Strenuous

Mileage & Difficulty

35-75 Miles

Moderate-Strenuous

Departure

Curry Village Parking

12 pm

Pickup

Curry Village Parking

12pm

Book 6 Day

Book 13 Day

YOUTH PROGRAM ADVENTURE SHUTTLE

Lasting Adventures will be providing transportation from near the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the greater Bay Area to our Youth Backpacking programs in Yosemite National Park. Skip the long drive and traffic while helping save the environment.

Click Here to Learn More

Yosemite Reservations: Participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry during any time period when reservations are needed to enter Yosemite.

2024 Departure Dates by Month

6 Day Adventure Dates

13 Day Adventure Dates

Girls Summer Camp: 6-Day or 13-Day Young Women’s Program

This is a Sample Itinerary only, and reflects the daily activities of our 13-day Young Women’s Adventure. For a sample 6-day itinerary, see our 6-day Yosemite High Country Adventure.

Day 1: Meet your Guides/Counselors between 12-1 pm. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. Group orientation and relocation to the Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campsite for the evening. Tuolumne Meadows tour including geological and natural highlights. Evening activities and campfire to strengthen bonds while goal setting and an introduction to the Yosemite wilderness and history through storytelling.

Day 2: After packing up and stretches we will head out on the trail through Tuolumne Meadows and following the river downstream for 6 miles to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp at 7,840′. Participants will enjoy the natural water features and exploring in this area.

Day 3: After morning circle time (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) we will continue weaving our way down the Tuolumne River gorge while appreciating the natural art that the glaciers left behind. We will hike about 7 miles today to a site along the Tuolumne River and across from the Cathedral Creek cascade which joins the Tuolumne River in this location at approximately 5,600′.

Day 4: Today we will awake to granite walls all around us as we prepare with morning stretches and circle time. Today’s hike will continue another 7 miles to Pate Valley at 4,380′ which is the west end of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. This valley is a meadow area which may have been along an old Native American trading route.

Day 5: Day 5 will also begin early as we have a more strenuous day today of uphill trail as we leave the Tuolumne River Gorge and head to White Wolf. This almost 10 mile uphill hike will ascend nearly 3,500′ to White Wolf at 7,875′. Once here we will celebrate our achievement with ice cream, real toilets, and a re-supply of food and clean clothes.

Day 6: After a much needed rest and relaxation we will head back east for 5.5 miles along a more moderate trail before a lunch break at the Ten Lakes trail junction at 8,240′. After lunch we will begin our uphill segment of the day climbing nearly 1,400′ over the next 2.8 miles to the Ten Lakes Pass at 9,620′. After taking in the view we will drop down approximately 600 feet over the next mile to camp along one of the lakes in the Ten Lakes basin.

Day 7: We will wind our way out of the Ten Lakes basin dropping into the South Fork of the Tuolumne at nearly 8,800′. Total hiking will be approximately 6 miles.

Day 8: Today, after awaking in a very remote site, we will head approximately 8.5 miles to May Lake at 9,329′, passing and rounding Tuolumne Peak and many spectacular high country views along the way.

Day 9: Today, is our much needed “Zero” day with packs. This means no mileage with packs on today. Instead we will partake in a morning scramble to the top of Mount Hoffman at 10,850′. This is approximately a 4 mile round-trip from May Lake. Mount Hoffman is the geographical center of Yosemite and offers one of the best views in all of the park. This afternoon participants will have a chance to swade, fish, relax on May Lake before afternoon activities and dinner. An awesome sunset experience will be had on the bluff above our campsite.

Day 10: Today we will leave May Lake and follow the Snow Creek to the rim of the Yosemite Valley. We will travel a total of 8-miles to a campsite at 6,720′ directly across the valley from Half Dome. Another spectacular sunset location for our last night together in the wilderness.

Day 11: We will hike a moderate 10-miles round-trip to enjoy the view and accomplishment from reaching the top of North Dome at 7,542′. North Dome looks over the Yosemite Valley. We will return to our campsite by Snow Creek.

Day 12: On our last day we will descend to Yosemite Valley via the Snow Creek Trail. We will drop from nearly 2,600′ in 2.6-miles. We will then hike past Mirror Lake (now Mirror Meadow) on level ground for our last 2.5 miles before we head to the Backpackers Camp for our last night together.

Day 13: After packing up camp we will do a final bonding activity together as we explore the secret Native American Caves. We will then return to Curry Village. Here we will unpack and celebrate with pizza and beverages before we say our goodbyes.

Note: Remember this is only a sample itinerary. We can accommodate late arrivals on this first day as communicated in advance. All 13 day trips will have a re-supply half-way through the trip. Participants are encouraged to pack an extra duffle bag with clean socks, shirts, underwear, etc.

Other: On all youth programs, we have a daily circle time in the morning 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 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.

Drop-off/pick-up time & location: Our 13-day Young Women’s program begins at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitors Center at 12 pm on Sundays and ends at the Curry Village large parking lot by Bus Stop #14 at 12pm on Friday. Late arrivals can usually be coordinated but please let us know if you will be arriving after 1pm, as this may affect the group’s itinerary.

Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!

RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM

Our summer camp programs are purely recreational and should not be confused with a wilderness therapy program. Our staff is trained as summer camp counselors, outdoor educators, and guides, and they are not required nor 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 their will. Additionally, all participants should have experience at sleepaway camps and/or being away from their parents/guardians for multiple nights. No refunds or credits will be issued for evacuations due to social, emotional, and/or behavioral reasons. In addition, due to said concerns, there will be a minimum fee of $500 for any field evacuation.

REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to full payment, the 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 guests on multi-day trips, any “Half Dome in a Day” hiker, or any guest 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.

DIETARY CONSTRAINTS

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 the foods we prepare will be fully free of major allergens.

We have experience in accommodating a variety of dietary choices and concerns, including, but not limited to:

Vegan and Vegetarian
Peanut and/or Tree Nut Allergy
Lactose Intolerant
Celiac or Gluten-Free
Kosher

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.

TRADITIONAL BACKPACKING

Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without using porters, stock, or other outside assistance. For this trip, you will be expected to carry your personal gear, a share of the group gear, and food in a backpack. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lb. and no more than the recommended ⅓ of your body weight.

As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to fully participate in 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. A regular physical exercise program is recommended before going on your adventure.

TRIP ITINERARIES

All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.

STAFF SCHEDULES

Due to the nature of backpacking, our guides work long hours. To provide the best possible experience to our guests and guides, we limit the number of hours our guides work to 15 hours per day. Guides will not be required to be available from 9 pm to 6 am unless the group agrees to a different period before this standard break. This varies on our summer camps, where outdoor educators are always available as needed.

During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies but should be allowed to rest and not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. Please don’t request non-time-sensitive assistance from guides during this period. Our guides are also entitled to take 10 minutes every four hours and 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. We appreciate your cooperation with these scheduling requirements.

FIREARM POLICY

Lasting Adventures understands that firearm laws and policies vary in each of the areas in which we operate. Regardless of local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures does not allow firearms on our trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while possessing them.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

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. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.

Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is preferred for all backpacking trips and youth programs/summer camps. During check-out, you may pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining 50% at least 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. Final Lodging/Hiking package payments are due 45 days in advance. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45 days in advance must be paid 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 our Payment Options page.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.

The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.

Multi-Day Adventures/Summer Camps Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
Between 90 and 61 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
Between 60 and 46 days before the start date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Between 45 and 31 days before the start date, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Less than 31 days before the start date, or once the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued.

48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. 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 Cancellation Policy

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 total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.

Other Considerations

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, 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 is strongly recommended.

Minimum Participants: Our Guide Service multi-day trips have a two-person minimum. (Yoga trips have a three-person minimum.) Our Summer Camps have a four-person minimum. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge.

Infectious Illness 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 or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and 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. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.

TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY

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 credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

“From a parent's perspective, Lasting Adventures provided plenty of communication before and during the trip, so I knew he was in good hands. From a kids perspective, this adventure taught him skills he may not have otherwise learned, built up his self-confidence and independence, and fostered a love for the outdoors. He already can’t wait to do this camp again!”

“The guides were so knowledgeable of the area, cooked amazing meals, taught the kids about nature, kept them safe, and most importantly helped each kid prove to themselves they could do it! That built more confidence in my daughter and made her more reliant on herself and trusting of herself.”

“My friends and I (aged 13-15) went on a two-week backpacking trip with Lasting Adventures. Our group grew close as a family, and on the last night, we had a very joyous celebration. We joked, messed around, and ate delicious food prepared by the guides. I strongly recommend them if you are looking for a physical and active summer camp, with amazing views along the way.”

“My daughter participated in the 7-Day summer camp in Yosemite and, WOW, is all I can say! I was nervous, but the staff was quick to respond via email to all my questions. She had the time of her life and she can’t wait to do it again next summer!”

“My 15 (Nearly 16) year old son just got home from an EPIC trip with Lasting Adventures on the Outdoor Leadership Expedition. He had such a wonderful time and communicated that his guides were "the best." If you're looking for a journey for your young family members this comes genuinely, very highly recommended. All of the kids were thrilled, and all of the most free and relaxed of smiles!”