Lasting Adventures, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) public benefit nonprofit and the leading guide service and youth summer camp in Yosemite National Park. Our youth development focus in our summer camps centers around adventure-based programming and connecting with nature.Our outdoor summer camps, also known as the Yosemite High Country Adventure youth backpacking trips, are our specialty. Our weekly programs are six days/ five nights in length and average between 25-35 backpacking miles. Our goals include providing unforgettable experiences that intimately connects each youth with nature, themselves, and the greater world around them. These trips usually begin in the Yosemite High Country and conclude in Yosemite Valley proper. On all trips we conduct some side hikes (without backpacks) to famous sites and peaks (such as Half Dome, Clouds Rest, El Capitan, Mount Hoffman, and Red Peak). These day trips average another 6 to 10 miles.
Every other week we offer a different trail. So if you would like to choose a two-week adventure (13 days/ 12 nights) by combining two sessions; your child will be guaranteed to see different terrain each week. Additionally, by choosing the two-week option, your child will have a layover day in either Tuolumne Meadows or Yosemite Valley proper where the participants will partake in more sightseeing opportunities. During this layover day, participants will also have a chance to re-supply, wash-up, and eat some fresh food at a local eatery.
Throughout the adventure, participants will be guided along some of the most famous trails and to the top of some of the most famous passes and peaks within Yosemite National Park. Our experienced leaders have an extensive knowledge of the Yosemite backcountry. In addition to taking our participants to many of the famous locations, our leaders will also guide participants to lesser known areas that we have found over the years such as off-the-trail high alpine lakes (where fish are plentiful), backcountry waterfalls, alpine meadows, spectacular vistas, watering holes, cliff jumping areas, and natural waterslides. On most trips, we backpack every day but one (a lay over day and location is usually agreed upon by the team) and we are on the trail for an average of 4-5 hours. Most of our trips go from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and throughout the experience we take our time, take in the views, and break at awesome watering holes. Yet, viewing the Yosemite backcountry is only one of the many outcomes that occur on these trips.Our primary mission is to use the natural environment and outdoor activities to teach participants the necessary skills and attitudes for living successful lives. We also strive to foster an appreciation for the wilderness, nature, and the world around us. In addition to unique individual backgrounds and certifications, our leaders are all trained in Adventure Based Programming. Through Adventure Based Programming, participants will be challenged to improve their sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. Participants will participate in daily goal setting, group activities and debriefing (usually mixed in with marshmallows around the campfire.) This is all done within an environment of fun and support. All participants will also learn basic backpacking skills, wilderness ethics, wilderness appreciation and engage in Leave No Trace principals. Along with creating lasting memories, it is our goal that participants will finish this adventure with a greater knowledge of themselves, the world, and the environment around them.