Washington Lil's Highlights
An introduction to all things “Alpengirl” -- camping, wilderness, friends. A fit for the blossoming adventuress!
Dates
Jul 03 - Jul 10, 2024Ages
11-12 (rising 6th-7th)Tuition
$2045 (airfare not incl.)Destination
WashingtonStatus
Open- 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
Nora has been home over a week and is still talking about her great adventure. She has her heart set on a return next summer and a long-term goal of becoming a counselor. We're thrilled for her and grateful to Alpengirl for providing her with such a self-affirming venue....
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: outdoor camp cooking, campfire building, daily yoga, Alpenolympic games, road-side dance parties, camp skills and beads, and, of course, making lots of new friends!
During this camp, campers will have a blast outside as they hike, swim, play on the beach, and backpack, 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 the 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: Welcome to Alpengirl!
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 abound 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: Life’s a beach!
Our day begins with an introduction to morning yoga and a leisurely breakfast, and our Alpenguides will ensure that all campers feel comfortable in their new camp environment.
We’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the beaches and tidepools of the Pacific Coast and exploring the local area. This evening, we’ll prep for our upcoming backpacking trip – gathering gear, reading maps, repackaging foods, picking up backcountry permits, and getting psyched up for the adventures ahead.
Days 3-5: Backpacking time!
We’ll spend the next 3 days backpacking and camping along the majestic coastline of Washington State. Before we drive to the trailhead, your Alpenguides will teach you how to properly pack your backpack 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 to cut the chill of the evening.
Waking up the next day, we’ll take a day hike to the high ridge above the beach, explore the ebb and flow of tide pools, and play tons of beach Alpenolympic games. The bravest Alpengirls will have the 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 nourished 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 up for our next backpacking adventure!
Days 6-7: Backpacking, but in the rainforest!
For the next two days, we’ll leave the coast and head to the Hoh Rainforest for our next backpacking overnight! Our challenge will be a 10-mile round trip hike along the Hoh River in Olympic National Park. This hike is relatively flat, and girls will get to experience the Jurassic-like 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 splash around in the river, skip stones, and maybe even spot an elk! The next morning, a quick breakfast will fuel us for our hike back to the van. As a reward for our hard work, we’ll treat ourselves to a swim and a soak in the Sol Duc hot springs, before freshening up for our traditional End of Session Awards ceremony and pizza party.
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 will 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 the session, including program itinerary, activities, or location for reasons 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, parents 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 “backcountry” areas where we will purify our water before drinking and learn to 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.
Why Choose This Trip
Washington Lil’s camp session is just for rising 6th and 7th graders! 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 new friends. 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!
