Learn more about our summer backpacking program for teens
5-Day Teen Wilderness Rite of Passage
Sierra Nevada | July 12–18
This five-day wilderness rite of passage is a guided experience for teens standing at the threshold between childhood and young adulthood. Set deep in the Sierra Nevada, the program blends backpacking, mentorship, and intentional ceremony to help young people build confidence, responsibility, and a felt sense of belonging to the natural world.
What teens will do
Backpack and camp in remote Sierra Nevada terrain
Learn practical wilderness skills (campcraft, navigation basics, Leave No Trace ethics)
Participate in daily hikes, solo reflection time, and group circles
Engage in guided conversations about responsibility, identity, and transition
Take part in a carefully held rite-of-passage ceremony marking personal growth
Build community through shared meals, campfires, and teamwork
What to expect
Experienced adult mentors and a strong emphasis on physical and emotional safety
Clear daily rhythms that balance movement, learning, rest, and reflection
Time away from phones and modern distractions
An environment that encourages confidence, self-trust, and respect for others
A meaningful closing circle to integrate what was learned and name what comes next