Summer Programs > Age 14-16 > Mountain Quest for Young Men
Mountain Quest for Young Men
"I got so much out of my trip: memories, experiences and undeniable challenges. I became extremely close to all of my comrades on this journey and I believe that I grew as a person in many ways. From jumping into freezing glacier water to pushing myself up the side of a mountain, every moment of this trip allowed me to grow. This trip is something that I will remember for a lifetime."
- Lochlan, Age 14
Program Details
Mountain Quest for Young Men
Who am I, and how much of who I am has been shaped by what others expect me to be? What can I discover about myself through my relationships with others? What parts of myself do I share openly, and what parts do I hide?
Mountain Quest for Young Men invites young men ages 14–16 to explore these essential questions of adolescence through wilderness adventure, collaboration, and reflection. The journey unfolds across distinct landscapes: 8 days backpacking in the alpine wilderness, a day of transition in the front country, and 7 days on the coast, including an extended solo experience of up to 48 hours. Moving through these changing landscapes—both internal and external—offers space to challenge familiar patterns and gain new perspectives.
The theme of masks and mirrors offers a lens for examining identity and social expectations. At this stage of adolescence, identity is shaped not only by what we believe about ourselves, but also by how we are seen and understood by others. The group reflects our strengths, habits, assumptions, and impacts back to us. Through shared challenges, participants see what emerges when they work together: how they communicate, navigate differences, respond to conflict, and contribute their unique gifts. They’ll practice accountability and explore how to stay true to themselves while remaining open to being changed by the people around them.
The journey also includes extended time with families and caregivers at both the beginning and end of the program. This time helps young people and their loved ones prepare for the experience, reflect on what has shifted, and decide how they want to carry the learning into life back at home. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of themselves, greater capacity for collaboration and accountability, and new pathways for bringing their gifts into their families and communities.
Mountain Quest includes different sessions for young men and young women, each creating space to explore experiences and expectations around manhood or womanhood without prescribing a single way to inhabit either.
Want more information? Download the Welcome Letter!
At A Glance
Dates Session #1: July 3-9, 2027
Dates Session #2: August 13-19, 2027
Cost: $1495
Duration: 7 days
Who: All-Genders, Age 10-12
Location: Backpacking, Olympic Coast
Quick Links
16 Days
Young Men
Olympic Coast
$3495
July 2-17
Meet The Team
2027 Guide Teams
Our guides bring years of experience working with young people. With an average age of 30+, most are beyond their college years and bring experience from across youth education, wilderness, wellbeing, and rite of passage fields.
We pride ourselves on the care and supervision we provide, historically maintaining an average 1:3 guide-to-participant ratio. This means individual attention, stronger relationships, and the support kids need to grow.
Check back in early 2027 to meet the Call To Adventure guide teams!
Sample Itinerary
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Day 1
Participants and families meet at the Journeys basecamp for a gear check and send-off ceremony. After a ferry ride and some van games, we arrive at a front-country campground, have a fire, get to know each other and prepare for adventures ahead.
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Day 2
Time to start up the trail! We will embark on a backpacking expedition through the forest and then set up camp upon reaching the coast. Along the way, we’ll learn and practice backpacking, wilderness & community skills, while also playing fun games, enjoying the great outdoors, exploring nature, and hanging out on the beach.
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Day 3 & 4
These days bring new heights of exploration and fun - and a bit of challenge as we complete our longest hike yet. We also take a day off from hiking, enjoy time along a river, check out petroglyphs and play beach games. Through it all we deepen our connections with the natural world, experience time alone in nature and participate in spontaneous art projects and talking circles.
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Day 5 & 6
After having learned and seen so much already, we’ll spend our next days preparing for an embarking on a solo experience. We’ll craft intention statements about who we dream of being, hike up the beach, and each choose a spot alone where we can sit with just our thoughts and the natural world for company. When we return back to the group, we’ll have stories to tell and time to listen!
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Day 7
Time to return home! Full from the wonders and sights experienced and our new friendships, we'll make the triumphant journey back across the ferry to basecamp and waiting families. And yes, we'll have some stories to tell...
