Below you’ll find all the specifics for our 2026 summer trips. For more logistics and general information on gear, curriculum, staffing, policies, etc, see our Summer Camp overview. Thanks for your interest!
2026 Session Dates
- July 26-29, Royal Basin (4 day), $650 **Trip is full! Waitlist available.**
- Aug 2-6, Royal Basin (5 day), $850
- Aug 9-13, Lena Lakes (5 day), $850
All trips are ages 12-18, all gender, in Olympic National Park with drop-off and pick-up in Kingston, WA. No experience necessary for any of the trips, though the Lena Lakes itinerary is a bit more challenging.
What’s included in our backpacking trips?
- All food, transportation, and group gear are provided
- Personal gear loans are available
- A pre-trip phone call with Wild Society staff to prepare for the adventure
- Expert guidance from certified, experienced outdoor guides
- Financial assistance is available
Please reach out to programs@wildsociety.org with questions!
2026 Trip Descriptions
Royal Basin Backpacking Adventure (4 day) **Trip is full! Waitlist available.**
4-Day, 3-Night Youth Camp | Ages 12-18
Dates: July 26 – 29, 2026
Location: Olympic National Park – Royal Basin
Cost: $650
Journey into the heart of the Olympic Wilderness on a 4-day, 3-night backpacking adventure designed for youth ages 12-18 of all experience levels. Whether this is your first time shouldering a pack or you’re already comfortable on the trail, we’ll meet you where you are and help you grow.
Starting from the Upper Dungeness River Trailhead, we’ll hike to Lower Royal Meadows on a scenic 14-mile round trip. Along the way, you’ll learn essential backcountry skills—from setting up camp and purifying water to reading the landscape and traveling safely in wild places.
This isn’t just about covering miles. Through backcountry living, natural observation, and hands-on outdoor inquiry, you’ll develop a deeper connection to the wilderness around you. By trip’s end, you’ll carry home more than memories: real skills, growing confidence, respect for the natural world, and a lasting sense of wonder and belonging.
Royal Basin Backpacking Adventure (5 day)
5-Day, 4-Night Youth Camp | Ages 12-18
Dates: August 2 – 6, 2026
Location: Olympic National Park – Royal Basin
Cost: $850
Journey deeper into the Olympic Wilderness on a 5-day, 4-night backpacking adventure designed for youth ages 12-18 with some hiking, camping, or backpacking experience. Starting at the Upper Dungeness River Trailhead, this 15-mile trek takes you through Lower Royal Meadows to stunning Royal Lake, where alpine waters reflect the peaks above.
Through backcountry living, natural observation, and hands-on outdoor inquiry, you’ll build on your outdoor skills while connecting more deeply with wild places. With an extra day at Royal Lake, you’ll have time to explore, reflect, and truly settle into the rhythm of wilderness life.
Lena Lakes Backpacking Adventure (5 day)
5-Day, 4-Night Youth Camp | Ages 12-18
Dates: August 9 – 13, 2026
Location: Olympic National Park – Lena Lakes
Cost: $850
Join us for a 5-day, 4-night backpacking adventure through the breathtaking Lena Lake area, designed for youth ages 12-18 of all experiences, though it is a bit more physically demanding than the Royal Basin trips. This 15-mile journey will take you to both Lower and Upper Lena Lakes, offering extended time in the highcountry and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural world. On day 2 we’ll be rewarded by mountain views after our climb and spend day 3 exploring Upper Lena Lake and the surrounding ridgelines.
This program is designed to help campers connect deeply with nature through backcountry living, natural observation, and outdoor inquiry. By the end of the trip, participants will have gained some skills and confidence to navigate the wilderness safely, along with a deep sense of respect for the natural world and a lasting sense of wonder and belonging.