Washington Lil's Highlights
An introduction to all things “Alpengirl”; camping, wilderness, friends. A fit for the blossoming adventuress!
Dates
Jul 16 - Jul 23, 2023Ages
11-12 (enter 6th-7th)Tuition
$1795 (airfare not incl.)Destination
WashingtonStatus
Please Call- Learn to tent camp
- Backpacking Olympic Natl' Park
- Explore the Hoh Rainforest
- Tidepooling & beach time
- Soaking in natural hot springs
- Make new and lasting friends
- Outdoor skills and campfire
- Camping in the Pacific NW
Three of my favorite summers were spent hiking, kayaking, and canoeing with Alpengirl! I can't think of three experiences which impacted me as much as Alpengirl where I found my love for the outdoors, for travel, and for new experiences. I owe a big thanks to my counselors, my...
Trip Description
A 1-Week Summer Adventure Camp in Washington for Campers Age 11 and 12
Outgoing and energetic, the Washington Lil’s campers are excited to find their inner adventuress!
This is a one-week overnight camp introduction to all things Alpengirl, such as outdoor camp cooking, campfire building, daily yoga, Alpenolympic games, road-side dance parties, camp skills and beads, end of session awards ceremony and, of course, making lots of new friends!
During this camp, campers will have a blast outside, hiking, swimming, playing on the beach, and backpacking, while embracing their independence away from home, many for the very first time. The goal of this camp is to get comfortable being at an overnight adventure camp, while packing their days with tons of fun activities.
This introductory camp is for our youngest campers who want to try it out and come back for more next year!
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving at SeaTac International Airport in Seattle, WA, your Alpenguides will greet you and introduce you to the rest of your group. Icebreakers, name games, and get-to-know-you fun abounds before you and your new expedition mates hop in the van and drive to our first campsite.
Once we arrive, we'll learn how to set up our tents and enjoy the first of many delicious and fresh camp meals - perhaps build your own burritos with organic blue corn chips and salsa followed by a surprise dessert! It's a long first day, so we'll try to settle into our tents early tonight for a good night's rest.
Day 2: Our day begins with an introduction to morning yoga and a leisurely breakfast, followed by some beach time or tidepooling and exploring the local area, and prepping for our upcoming backpacking trip - gathering gear, reading maps, re-packaging foods, picking up backcountry permits and getting psyched up for the adventures ahead.
Days 3-5: A 3-day backpacking and camping trip along the majestic coast of Washington State.
Before we drive to the trailhead, your experienced Alpenguides will teach you how to properly pack your backpack, lift it safely onto your back, and adjust and carry it throughout the expedition. Packing only the essentials, we’ll leave our van and extra gear behind, grab our cameras, and hit the trail!
Our first day of backpacking will be a leisurely 1.5 miles hike up the sand to our campsite. We’ll learn how to set up tents on beach terrain and gather endless amounts of the driftwood that litters the beach for a warm campfire that will cut the chill this evening.
Waking up the next day, we’ll take a hike to the high ridge above our campsite, explore the ebb and flow of tide pools and play tons of beach Alpenolympics. The bravest Alpengirls will have a chance to take a quick dip in the frigid waters of Washington’s Coast, but can always come back to the fire to warm up.
Tonight, we'll build and gather around a campfire to roast marshmallows, sing campfire songs, and have our famous Alpenolympic Talent Show, before snuggling into our sleeping bags for our last night on the coast.
The next morning, warm from yoga and filled by a quick breakfast, we'll hike back to the van and drive to our next campsite to clean up with hot showers, browse the Alpengirl camp store items for sale and rest before our second backpacking trip starts tomorrow.
Days 6-7: For the next two days, we’ll be backpacking in the Hoh Rainforest.
Our challenge will be a 10-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike along the Hoh River in Olympic National Park. This hike is relatively flat, and girls will get to experience the Jurassic beauty of the tangled ferns and massive trees that tower above us as we hike.
After setting up camp, we’ll have the chance to gather driftwood to make a fire, but not before we splash around in the river, skip stones, and maybe even spot an elk! The next morning, a quick breakfast will fuel us for our we hike back to the van, and drive to the Sol Duc hot spring pool. As a reward for our hard work, we’ll have a swim and a soak, and take showers before we have our traditional end of session awards ceremony.
Day 8: It’s time to go home! Exchanging hugs with your friends, you’ll depart from SeaTac International Airport in Seattle, WA, knowing that you are now an official Alpengirl and we’ll be a part of our fantastic community for life. See you next summer!
PLEASE NOTE: Alpengirl reserves the right to cancel or alter any aspect of a program before or during a program, including program itinerary, activities or location for reason including but not limited to weather, environment, logistics or health hazards. If itinerary changes occur, we will substitute comparable alternatives, if possible. If there are significant itinerary changes, parent will be notified by email.
Trip Campsites & Amenities
Four nights are spent in tents in public “front country” campgrounds where we have pre-assigned campsites with neighbors and campground hosts nearby, running potable water, and private outhouses or flushing toilets.
Three nights are spent in tents in wilderness “back country” areas where we will purify our water before drinking and learn and practice basic Leave No Trace camping skills such as how to select a campsite, how to go to the bathroom, and how to keep clean outdoors. ALL backcountry campsites in this itinerary have an outhouse available to us.
Why Choose This Trip
Washington Lil’s camp session is just for 11 and 12 year-olds! Attending this action-packed camp is a great way to introduce pre teens to the experience of outdoor living and backpacking. Washington Lil’s campers will be challenged to experience new things while having tons of fun with a great group of people. Limited to 10 campers in the group.
Trying to figure out if a Lil’s Adventure is right for you? Read more: Lil's Adventure Camps ~ Where Alpengirls Take Root!
