Start exploring Backpacking summer programs

Dates:

17 sessions between Jun 20–Aug 20, 2027 (6 days, 10 days, and 13 days options)

Length:

6 days–13 days

Cost:

$1,990–$3,890

Location:

Olympic National Park, WA

Ages:

Grades 5–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

18 sessions between Jun 6–Aug 13, 2027 (6 days, 10 days, 13 days, and 20 days options)

Length:

6 days–20 days

Cost:

$1,990–$6,585

Location:

Yosemite National Park, CA

Ages:

Grades 5–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 29–Aug 11, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$2,099

Location:

Maine

Ages:

11-12 per program site (matches completed grades 5–6 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Entry-level hiking/backpacking trip on the Maine coast, designed for the youngest eligible age band.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 17–Aug 11, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$3,499

Location:

New England

Ages:

12-14 per program site (matches completed grades 6–8 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Hiking and backpacking adventure across New England's mountains and coastline.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 22–Jul 29, 2027 (10 days options)

Length:

10 days

Cost:

$2,990

Location:

Sequoia National Park, CA

Ages:

14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

10-day backcountry backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park for teens.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 30–Jul 26, 2027 (12 days options)

Length:

12 days

Cost:

$5,399

Location:

Alaska

Ages:

14-16 per program site (matches completed grades 8–10 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Hiking and backpacking adventure through Alaska's mountains and coastline.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 29–Aug 12, 2027 (13 days options)

Length:

13 days

Cost:

$4,199

Location:

Maine

Ages:

13-15 per program site (matches completed grades 7–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Extended hiking and backpacking adventure along Maine's Downeast coast.

Dates:

Jul 30 – Aug 11, 2027

Length:

13 days

Cost:

$4,999

Location:

Pacific Northwest

Ages:

13-15 per program site (matches completed grades 7–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Hiking and backpacking adventure across the Pacific Northwest.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 14–Aug 14, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$2,250–$4,500

Location:

Vermont (departs Wiscasset, ME)

Grades:

Kingfisher Tier: Completing Grades 9-10

Format:

Residential

Two-week, 72-mile backpacking trek the length of Vermont's Long Trail from Underhill State Park to Journey's End Wilderness Preserve, requiring prior completion of Chewonki's Maine Appalachian Trail trip or comparable backpacking experience.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 27–Jul 27, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$2,250–$4,500

Location:

100-Mile Wilderness to Baxter State Park, ME (departs Wiscasset, ME)

Grades:

Loon Tier: Completing Grades 9-10

Format:

Residential

Two-week backpacking trip through Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail, northbound to Baxter State Park, culminating in a summit hike of Mount Katahdin.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 5–Jul 27, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,895

Location:

Wyoming and Idaho

Grades:

8th-9th grade

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 6–Jul 23, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,695

Location:

Denver, CO (begins/ends)

Ages:

12-13 per program site (matches completed grades 6–7 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Multi-sport Colorado backcountry trip: backpacking in the San Juan National Forest, whitewater rafting the Arkansas River's Browns Canyon, ziplining in Salida, a sunrise hike at Great Sand Dunes National Park, rock climbing at Taylor Canyon, and fly fishing.

Dates:

Jul 28 – Aug 10, 2027

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,510

Location:

Driggs, ID

Ages:

14-15 per program site (matches completed grades 8–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

NOLS wilderness expedition course for teens: Idaho Backpacking Adventure for Girls 14-15 - 2 Weeks.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jul 8–Aug 19, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,510

Location:

Driggs, ID

Ages:

14-15 per program site (matches completed grades 8–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

NOLS wilderness expedition course for teens: Idaho Backpacking Adventure for Teens 14-15 - 2 Weeks.

Dates:

11 sessions between Jun 7–Aug 11, 2027 (2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 30 days options)

Length:

2 weeks–30 days

Cost:

$5,510–$8,750

Location:

Lander, WY

Ages:

14-15 per program site (matches completed grades 8–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

NOLS wilderness expedition course for teens: Wyoming Backpacking Adventure for Teens 14-15.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,595

Location:

Pacific Northwest (Olympic National Park)

Grades:

6-9

Format:

Residential

Hiking, backpacking, and sea kayaking from Olympic National Park.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,895

Location:

Rocky Mountains, CO

Grades:

9-11

Format:

Residential

Hiking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and summiting a Colorado 14er.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,595

Location:

Rocky Mountains, CO

Grades:

6-9

Format:

Residential

Rocky Mountain hiking and backpacking trip.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,995

Location:

Sierra Nevada, CA

Grades:

9-11

Format:

Residential

Extended backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,595

Location:

Yosemite & Sierra Nevada, CA

Grades:

6-9

Format:

Residential

Hiking in Yosemite National Park plus backpacking in the Sierra Nevada.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 30–Jul 29, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,495

Location:

Wyoming

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential

Teton Crest Trail backpacking program.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 14–Jul 29, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,145

Location:

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Grades:

Current grades 6-8

Format:

Residential

Backpacking program in Rocky Mountain National Park for younger middle schoolers.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 11–Jul 26, 2027 (21 days options)

Length:

21 days

Cost:

$7,295

Location:

Anchorage, AK (begins/ends)

Grades:

10th-12th grade

Format:

Residential

Alaska adventure: sea kayaking in Prince William Sound, backpacking the Talkeetna Mountains, rafting the Matanuska River, ice climbing on Matanuska Glacier, and a scenic Denali flight.

Dates:

Jun 20 – Jul 10, 2027

Length:

21 days

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Paul Smiths, NY

Ages:

14-15 per program site (matches completed grades 8–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

NOLS wilderness expedition course for teens: Adirondack Backpacking and Canoeing Adventure.