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Summer Camp - Teen Adventures: Backpacking - Tacoma - 2025

Youth Program

Summer Camp - Teen Adventures: Backpacking

Teens age 13-17 join us for a multi-day backpacking adventure! New and experienced backpackers welcome.

Contacts

Sarah Holt
Sarah Holt
Leader

Teens age 13-17 have the chance to join us for teen adventure camp! Participants will spend one day at our Program Center in Tacoma learning backcountry skills, such as first aid, navigation, using the 10 essentials, Leave No Trace principles, and practicing using backpacking gear. On our second day, we will head out into the wilderness for a multi-day backpacking adventure!

Participants should expect to cover about 5-7 miles per day, with 1,000-2,000 feet of elevation gain, and carry a pack that weighs 30-35 pounds. The group will aim to hike at a moderate pace that all participants can maintain.

Program Requirements
Program Activity Date Availability Leader
Day Camp
Tacoma Program Center
Tue, Aug 12, 2025
Registration closes Aug 10
10 participants
1 instructor
Sarah Holt
Summer Camp Overnight
Youth Trip
Wed, Aug 13, 2025 -
Fri, Aug 15, 2025
Registration closes Aug 11
10 participants
1 instructor
Sarah Holt
Roster
Required Equipment

Below is a list of equipment that will be needed for the backpacking trip. Please keep in mind that The Mountaineers can provide most equipment if needed! Please contact the trip leader with 1-2 weeks advance notice for any gear you would like to borrow.

  • Backpack (about 60 liter capacity, with a waist strap and chest strap)
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking boots
  • Personal toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, etc)
  • Personal First Aid Kit
  • Headlamp 
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hiking poles (recommended)
  • Water bottles (minimum 2 liters capacity)
  • Food (see below)
  • Mess kit (bowl, utensils, mug, if needed)
  • Toilet paper/hand sanitizer
  • Clothing (non-cotton please)
    • Rain jacket
    • Insulating layer, such as a puffy jacket or fleece
    • Wool or poly base layers
    • Hiking pants (mandatory 1 pair long pants. Optional to bring shorts as well)
    • 1 long sleeve shirt and one short sleeve shirt 
    • Changes of underwear
    • Wool socks (minimum 3 pairs)
    • Hat
    • Gloves
  • Bug Spray (recommended)
  • Camera (or phone)

Food Details

We recommend foods that are calorie dense and pack up light. Your lunch for the first day can include perishable items (such as cold cuts, cheese, etc), but you’ll want to make sure the rest of your items won’t go bad if not refrigerated. Here are some ideas below:

  • Breakfasts: Instant oatmeal, energy bars, dehydrated breakfast (such as Mountain House) granola, bagels
  • Lunches: Beef jerky, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, tuna or salmon packet, bean and veggie wraps, summer sausage
  • Dinners: For dinners, we highly recommend a dehydrated meal packet, such as Backpacker’s Pantry or Mountain House. There are many different options available at REI and other sporting good stores.
  • Snacks: Dried fruit, energy bars, trail mix, crackers, pretzels, chocolate, nut butter packets, hot chocolate packets

  • These are things staff will provide, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring:
  • Jetboil stoves/fuel
  • Tents
  • Water filters
  • Bear cans
  • Maps/compasses/GPS
  • Pocket knife
  • Duct tape
  • Personal Locator Beacon



Program Materials

There are no materials for this program.