Our backpacking summer camps are rooted in respect and gratitude for the environment. Hiking from campsite to campsite carrying everything the group needs, campers are guided through the essentials of backcountry living, natural observation, and outdoor skills. Participants will leave with knowledge and confidence to explore the wilderness safely, along with a deep sense of connection to nature.
Backpacking Summer Camp Overview
- Ages: 12 – 18
- Dates: July – August (see 2026 session dates here)
- Locations: Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park
- Pick up and Drop off: Kingston Ferry Landing
Campers will carry everything they need into the magnificent Olympic Mountains, embarking on an immersive adventure designed to develop the skills and confidence to safely hike and backpack in the wilderness. Our goal is to equip campers with the understanding and skills to enjoy the backcountry with a deep sense of respect, wonder, and belonging. This program fosters a connection to nature through backcountry living, natural observation, and inquiry.
Take a look at our 2026 backpacking camp sessions.
What’s Included In The Trip
- All meals, transportation, and group gear for each trip.
- Personal gear loans available for most items. See our packing list for more info.
- A wide range of trips to suit all experience levels—whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced adventurer.
- Financial aid is available to ensure that all youth, regardless of background or ability to pay, have the opportunity to participate.
Backpacking Guides
All guides have extensive backcountry experience, are certified in wilderness first aid and CPR, and are dedicated mentors. Most hold Wilderness First Responders (WFR) certifications and there is always at least one WFR, if not two, on every trip. Our trips are designed with a 1:5 staff-to-camper ratio, with each group consisting of 10 campers and 2 guides. Groups are all-gender.
Curriculum
We build our camps on a foundation of respect and gratitude toward the living world. Our curriculum covers a wide range of skills and knowledge including trip planning, fundamentals of backpacking, survival techniques, ecology, ethnobotany, and natural science. View our daily camp schedule to get a sense of the camp structure.
When we asked campers what the best part of the trip was they said:
I loved meeting new people and becoming friends by the end of the program. Everyone was very supportive of each other and when I was having trouble they were really helpful. The hot cocoa was really good too.
I loved every second that I was not sleeping. I really enjoyed hanging with the other campers, learning about them, and sitting by a fire. Hiking was fun too.
The views on the trip and the people – the guides and the other campers.
This trip meant a lot to me. I was very nervous going before the trip but now I am really proud of what I was able to accomplish. The hiking was hard but I pushed myself and we worked as a team and always accomplished our goal. And we had a lot of fun and a lot of bonding time.
Feedback from parents and guardians:
“Wild Society is amazing! My 2 teens have completed a total of 3 summer backpacking trips with Wild society during the past 2 summers. The trips were everything they (and I) hoped for – hiking with terrific views, great group experiences, lots of new skills learned, fabulous leadership and plenty of fun. They came home full of stories and with new friends from all over. Wild Society provides well-organized, safe, educational and fun experiences for kids and I’m so glad my kids have gotten to experience Wild Society backcountry trips!”
My three children attended the camp and it was a life changing experience. They learned so much about nature and made long term friendships. The counselor was so kind and patient to all my kids.
I was especially happy when my son told me that one of his favorite parts of the trip was the time for reflection and sharing each evening. That is a sign that your leaders did an amazing job of creating a strong community out on the trail. Max speaks so highly of both of you and I love that he got to hang out with awesome adults as well as a great group of teens. We are so thankful to you for giving him such a positive experience out there. He says he learned a ton about himself and he is fired up to live adventurously the rest of the summer.
Questions? Visit our FAQ page for additional help or email us at admin@wildsociety.org!