Youth Programs

"Thank you so much for helping make this trip happen. It was so life-changing and influential. This trip was not your average fun summer camp. It gave me skills, stories, and gratitude. I will never eat fresh food or sleep in a bed the same way, with the same amount of thought. My most influential part was the solo: 24 long, hard hours showed me who I was, and who I wanted to be." Brandon, Age 13

Journeys is not your typical summer camp. Not even close!

Our summer youth programs, for ages 8 – 18, help young people navigate the journey from childhood to adulthood in a supported, mentored way. Led by a team of experienced wilderness mentors, participants experience the physical adventure and challenges of wilderness backpacking as well as the social opportunities to develop self-reliance, responsibility to self and others, teamwork and conflict resolution skills, all while exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest wilderness and beaches. Each experience along the way opens the door for deeper self-discovery, inspiring young participants to realize and claim their gifts, skills and strengths, while making lifelong friends and exceptional memories.

stages of youth development

Rite of Passage Journeys has more than 50 years of experience guiding youth along their path from childhood to adulthood. In that time, we have identified that youth in different developmental stages require different kinds of experiences, and we have designed our trips to optimally serve these different needs.

Trips for Children

For youth age 8 to 12, who are still children developmentally, we offer trips designed to encourage them to “go beyond the garden” - to find the courage and the inspiration to embrace the mysterious big world out there while still maintaining connection to “the nest” as a source of comfort.

Explorers Journey (ages 8-10)

Call To Adventure (ages 10-12)

Coming of Age Trips

For youth ages 12-15, puberty has arrived, as has the essential need to leave childhood behind and begin the task of adolescence: preparing to step into adulthood. This is the classic Rite of Passage of Separation from Childhood and Return as Young Adult.

Mountain Quest Young Men (13-15)

Olympic Odyssey (Boys ages 12-14)

Mountain Quest Young Women (12-14)

Moon Rise Young Women (12-14)

Older Teen Trips

For youth who have already left childhood and are in the crucible of adolescence, our trips provide a supportive and also challenging setting for teens to ask their essential questions: “Who am I?” “Where and with whom do I belong?” “What can I offer the world?”

Fire On The Mountain (15-18)

Solo Crossing (15-18)

Queer Kinnection LGBTQ2IA+ (14-18)

NEW! School year: Crow Collective (15-18)