Pre-Booking Information & FAQs
Read through our Pre-Booking Information to assess if an Alpengirl Adventure is right for you!
Introducing Alpengirl's Adventure Levels
A clearer way to find the perfect adventure
At Alpengirl, we believe every camper’s adventure journey is unique. Some campers are joining us for their first overnight experience, while others return year after year ready to explore new places, try new activities, and continue growing their confidence.
For 2027, we’re introducing a new adventure level system to make it easier for families to find trips designed for their camper’s age group and stage of their Alpengirl journey.
These adventure levels are designed as a guide, not a ranking system! Within each level, there are a variety of trip styles, destinations, and activity levels. Some trips may be more relaxed and exploratory, while others may include bigger challenges or more technical activities.
Not sure which adventure is the best fit? Our team is always happy to help families find the right match!
Discovery Adventures: Rising 6th–7th Graders
Discovery Adventures are designed for our youngest campers and are the perfect introduction to the Alpengirl experience. These trips focus on building confidence, learning outdoor skills, making new friends, and discovering the joy of adventure.
Trailblazers: Rising 7th–9th Graders
Trailblazer Adventures are designed for middle school campers ready to dive deeper into the Alpengirl experience. Whether joining us for the first time or returning for another summer of adventure, these trips offer opportunities to explore new places, try new activities, build independence, and experience the fun, friendship, and adventure that define Alpengirl.
Ascent Adventures: Rising 9th–11th Graders
Ascent Adventures are designed for high school campers ready to take on meaningful adventures with greater independence and personal growth. Whether joining Alpengirl for the first time or continuing their adventure journey, these trips encourage campers to build confidence, strengthen outdoor skills, and explore incredible destinations alongside new and old friends!
Summit Adventures: Rising 10th–12th Graders
Summit Adventures are designed for our oldest teen campers and offer some of Alpengirl’s most immersive experiences. These trips may include international travel, advanced outdoor skill development, or unique opportunities such as specialized certifications. Whether joining Alpengirl for the first time or continuing their adventure journey, Summit campers are ready to embrace new cultures, take on meaningful challenges, and grow as confident, capable adventurers.
Alumni Adventures: Rising 10th Graders–College First Years
Alumni Adventures are exclusive experiences for returning Alpengirls who are ready for the next chapter of their adventure journey. These trips offer older campers the chance to reconnect with friends, explore new destinations, experience different cultures, and continue their Alpengirl story beyond traditional teen adventures.
Launching in 2027, our inaugural Alumni Adventure will feature a brand-new Costa Rica itinerary. As the first group to experience this new adventure, returning campers will help blaze the trail for a future Alpengirl tradition while enjoying the exploration, connection, and unforgettable moments that make Alpengirl special.
Available exclusively to returning Alpengirls.
Mother-Daughter Adventures: Rising 5th–11th Graders & Parent
Adventure is better together! These trips are designed for moms and daughters to unplug, explore the outdoors, and create unforgettable memories side by side. Perfect for first-time adventurers or returning Alpengirl families looking for a new way to experience the outdoors together, these adventures offer a balance of challenge, connection, and fun. Learn new skills, discover wild places, and experience the magic of Alpengirl as a team.
Our Mother-Daughter adventures are offered for rising 5th–9th graders and rising 8th–11th graders. With wider age ranges than our typical teen adventures, these trips give girls the chance to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by one another across different ages and skill levels, while still sharing plenty of common interests.
Adult Adventures: 21+
Our Adult Adventures are designed for women who are ready to reconnect with the outdoors, challenge themselves, and explore some of the world’s most incredible landscapes alongside a supportive community of like-minded adventurers. From backcountry hiking and paddling to international exploration and unique wilderness experiences, each trip blends adventure, connection, and a little bit of Alpengirl magic. Whether you’re returning to the outdoors after years away, building your confidence in the wilderness, or looking for your next big adventure, our trips welcome a range of experience levels and are designed to help every participant feel supported, inspired, and empowered along the way. Come explore, learn new skills, and create unforgettable memories with a community of women who share your love of adventure.
Finding the right adventure
While adventure levels help families narrow down options, the best trip fit depends on more than age alone. When choosing an adventure, we encourage families to consider:
- Camper age and maturity
- Previous outdoor experience
- Trip length
- Activities and destinations
- Comfort with independence and new challenges
Not sure which adventure is the right fit? Our team is always happy to help you find the trip that best matches your camper. Contact us today and we’ll help you choose an Alpengirl adventure that feels like the perfect fit.
From Discovery to Summit – and now Alumni Adventures – every Alpengirl trip is an opportunity to explore, grow, and create lifelong memories.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
All teens will be required to meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria in order to participate in Alpengirl programming.
Campers will be asked to sign a contract prior to beginning their adventure with us that establishes they meet the Essential Eligibility Requirements:
I understand and agree that if I am accepted as a participant on this Alpengirl program, I am able (with or without accommodations) and willing to comply with the following conditions of participation:
Maintain a positive attitude and exhibit a willingness to participate in all program activities.
Handle short notice about itinerary and scheduling changes as needed.
Recognize the needs of the group supersede the desires of any one individual, and able to compromise to accommodate diverse desires, physical abilities, and personalities of all group members.
Able to participate in a group living experience, sharing space with up to three tent mates
Able to understand and follow verbal and visual instructions; participants must be able to follow instructions whether supervised or not.
Recognize the hazards and risks as presented on the Alpengirl website and within program materials, and comply with the recommended measures and directions.
Able to contribute to a safe, respectful and just social and emotional learning environment, respecting all stated or inferred identities, and maintaining appropriate, non-exclusive relationships with other group members and instructors.
Able to refrain from exclusive relationships (cliques), harassment and bullying, and all other behavior that disrupts the cohesion of the group.
Show respect through speech and actions for other participants, staff, outfitters, and local residents.
Should be in good general health and able to participate in strenuous physical activity. A current health history and a physician’s approval are required.
Effectively communicate with program staff if I am experiencing distress and/or needing assistance.
Accept full responsibility for physical and mental health including complying fully with medication routines and self-care strategies recommended before the start of the program by medical or mental health professionals.
Exhibit self-care techniques in relation to mental health while on program. These include healthy de-stressing activities such as exercise, journaling, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, proper sleep routines, healthy eating/hydration, appropriate peer interaction, etc.
Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and be able to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat illness, sunburn, or frostbite.
Able to adapt to the physical and emotional demands of the program and live in primitive conditions for extended periods of time while traveling in regions where access to advanced medical care is delayed and, in many cases, may be days away
Campers must be capable of carrying most of their personal equipment and a fair share of group gear using the methods appropriate to their course (e.g., lifting or loading onto/off of a horse, llama, boat, or vehicle). They should also be able to request help from staff as needed.
For backpacking adventures, able to carry a backpack that may weigh up to 40% of the participant’s body weight over uneven terrain
Learn and then practice Leave No Trace camping and travel techniques.
Adventure Readiness
Parents and campers need to evaluate if they are ready for a teen camping trip.
How do I know if my child is ready for a backcountry adventure camp?
Every camper joins Alpengirl with different levels of experience. Here is a list of questions to consider in order to assess readiness:
- Has your child slept away from home before, at a relatives or friends house? Was it successful?
- Was it easy or hard for your child to be convinced to sleep away and then to stay away the whole night?
- Can your child take care of their own needs for the most part?
- Does your child express an interest in attending camp?
- How much persuasion is needed to convince your child to go to camp or to a specific camp?
- Does your child generally sleep through the night?
- Is your child able to ask for help or state personal needs to adults when having a problem?
- Does your child rarely experience incontinence at night or during the day?
- Is your child able to express feelings in words reasonably well?
- When upset, will your child eventually ask for and accept help?
- Does your child recover from setbacks reasonably well?
- Has your child started taking a new medication or had an emotional setback just before camp starts?
- Are you and your child comfortable with the communication and cell phone policies during camp?
- If flying to camp, are you and your child comfortable with the airline policies and camp procedures regarding minors flying without an adult?
How can I better prepare my camper to deal with homesickness?
Both you and your camper have determined camp readiness, but you still worry about homesickness. Here are some things you could do with/for your camper to help mitigate any homesickness that might creep up on while at camp.
- In some cases homesickness stems from nervousness about one activity, like backpacking or rock climbing. Go over all of the camp’s activities with your camper so that they know what to expect, perhaps putting more focus on the activities or situations she may be more nervous about.
- Have “practice sleepovers” before camp by letting your camper sleep over at friends’ houses for consecutive nights.
- Discuss what camp could be like and consider role-playing certain potential camp situations that your camper may be nervous about or hasn’t considered yet.
- Pre-write letters to be distributed to your camper throughout camp. Provide these letters to Alpengirl ahead of camp as mail cannot be received during camp.
- Send your camper off to camp with one or two addressed, stamped envelopes and paper for them to write letters to you.
- Don’t bribe your camper to come to camp. This sends negative messages and if you are resorting to bribing, they are probably not ready.
- Pack a personal item from home that will make your camper feel more comfortable.
- Talk to your camper about being away from home for the camp’s duration. Let your camper know that you will miss them and that you know they are a strong person who can go away to camp and enjoy it.
What happens if my camper is homesick while at camp?
Homesickness is completely normal and it’s not unusual for campers to experience a few days or bouts of homesickness near the beginning of camp, before the fun activities start and before they have really solidified new friendships.
Alpengirl’s adventure camps are appealing to campers who are ready to try a low-pressure adventure camp for the first time away from home. Alpengirl camp is a great place to work through the challenges of being away from home because campers are constantly busy with games and activities and are surrounded by a family-like group of new friends. Alpengirls come away from camp feeling accomplished in the challenges of being away from home, outdoor tent living, and reaching high peaks and lakes. They make many new friends and have increased endurance levels and positive self-esteem. Alpengirls are inspired!
For most campers, Alpengirl camp is a totally new kind of camp, kids are a long way from home, without a friend or family member and sleeping in tents and living outdoors for an extended period of time; you can expect a few days of adjustment in gaining personal comfort, becoming more resilient and making real bonds with others.
If your camper gets homesick at camp there may be a few tears, a stomachache, and declarations of missing home and family and sometimes a desire to call home or return home. We commonly see homesickness creep in at night before bed and in tents, we see homesickness exacerbated by nervousness with an upcoming backpacking trip or activity that they have a fear of and are not sure if they can do. Also, if campers are not feeling like they have bonded with new friends or if perhaps they feel like there are “no others at camp like them” homesick feelings can be intensified. There are less than 12 campers in a group at camp together, so, it’s a small and personal group and feelings are easily shared and made better or worse together as a group.
It’s not uncommon for homesickness to become contagious in teen youth groups of this size and personal proximity and closeness. It’s also not uncommon for campers to bond over homesickness and help each other get through it and rise above it and have fun. Lifelong friendships can stem from one homesick episode.
How do Alpenguides handle bouts of homesickness?
At pre-camp staff training, the Alpenguides will role-play scenarios of camper homesickness, they’ll receive helpful tips in how to care for campers with homesickness, and they’ll learn how to identify when homesickness becomes unhealthy for an individual or the camp group. Alpenguides are not therapists, but, will do their best to work through homesickness with your camper if they get homesick at camp.
We care about your child and want them to remain at camp and have the fantastic time we know they can have if they want to and are ready to. To help her with homesickness we’ll talk to campers and listen to what they have to say and give a hug if one is desired. We’ll reassure a camper that feelings like this are totally normal and that it can take time to get used to being away from home in a new situation like camp. We’ll try to get a camper to talk about what is most exciting about at camp and have a camper look ahead to that, we’ll keep campers busy so they have less down time to think about home, and we’ll address a campers concerns.
Camp staff will continue to work with your camper for as long as homesickness is expressed, until we think that it is detrimental to the well being of the camper or others at camp. If there is more than a bit of homesickness during camp, camp staff will call and consult with camp parents on how to best proceed and receive helpful parent information that may assist the camper in moving beyond homesickness. If camp is well underway and homesickness is debilitating or interrupts the groups enjoyment and a camper continues to expresses a desire to go home or to be calling home in order to get through camp, staying at this type of wilderness based adventure camp is not an option. It’s possible that this type of overnight camp was too much at this stage and that the camper is just not ready yet. Don’t punish your camper for coming home early and you can try it again next year after encouraging more independent actions and overnights away from home throughout the year.
Homesickness Resources for Parents
Camper Behavior
Attitude, Participation & Group Travel
Attitude is IT! Positive and optimistic attitudes can get someone a long way. At Alpengirl we expect that you come to camp with an optimistic attitude, eager to open your mind to new things and possibilities. Alpengirl encourages you to smile and to see the good side instead of the bad to make your camp experience that much better.
It’s not to say you can’t have a bad day while at camp or that you have to have a bubbly personality, we just ask that you keep an open mind and welcome new, different, and sometimes challenging, experiences into your life.
Camp Group Participation
Each camper is expected to arrive at camp as a willing participant with a commitment to staying at camp for the entire session.
By registering for camp, you’re agreeing that:
- You are a willing camp participant
- You are physically able to participate in camp activities
- You’ll participate to your comfort level (and perhaps challenge yourself beyond your comfort level to discover a whole new level you never knew you had!)
While participating we ask you to give it your best effort, give it your all, and go for it 100%. With personal challenge comes personal growth.
Camp Group Travel & Compromise
Group travel involves compromises to accommodate diverse desires, physical abilities, and personalities of all group members. Alpenguides may be required to improvise and exercise their discretion to make decisions that are intended to satisfy the desires of the larger group. These decisions will not always please each individual, but we aim to try.
Being Part of an Alpengirl Group
When you arrive at camp you are immediately enveloped into a family-like group.
- We respect each other and ourselves.
- We speak well of each other and ourselves.
- We care about each other and ourselves.
- We support each other and ourselves.
- We encourage each other and ourselves.
- We help each other and ourselves.
- We don’t put anyone down or say anything negative about each other or ourselves.
- We don’t bully each other or ourselves.
- We make an effort to learn about everyone at camp.
- We make an effort to befriend everyone at camp.
- We make an effort to grow and to help our group members grow.
Electronics Policy
To help campers stay present and fully engaged in the Alpengirl experience, we have clear guidelines about electronic devices:
- E-book readers are not allowed at camp. Campers are welcome to bring physical books to enjoy during quiet time in the evenings before lights out.
- Cell phones and other communication devices (including smartwatches with texting/call capabilities) will be collected at the start of camp, turned off, and securely stored for the duration of the session. (Read more about our cell phone policy below.)
- Cell phones with cameras are not permitted. If a camper would like to bring a camera, it must be a standalone device, separate from a phone.
- GoPros and video cameras should not be brought to camp. Campers are not allowed to record videos of other people during the session.
- For privacy and safety reasons, AirTags and other tracking devices are not allowed at camp. If a tracking device is found with a camper, it will be removed and disposed of by staff to ensure the safety and security of all participants.
First Aid, Healthcare, & Insurance
Campers are required to be healthy upon arrival to camp.
They must arrive at camp physically and mentally well, with the ability to participate in all camp activities, and without injury or communicable illness.
Due to living, eating and sleeping in close proximity at camp, we must start with and maintain a healthy environment for the group. Because of the wilderness-based nature of Alpengirl’s adventures, there are no base camp facilities nor extra health care staff hired to care for campers who are ill or injured and unable to participate in daily camp activities.
Upon registering a camper, parents agree to contact Alpengirl if any medical or health conditions change before the start of the camp session which might affect the camper’s ability to join us, fully participate at camp, or that might affect others in the group.
Health Benefits Of Camp
The beauty of our camp is living in the great outdoors in a small group of 10-12 wilderness lovin’ adventuresses.
We’re breathing in the fresh air, soaking up the sunshine and taking time to bask in the sights and sounds of nature without distraction from our regular day-to-day life at home. At camp this summer, we hope to practice “checking out to check in.” We’ll connect with our group, rely on our Alpenguides and peers, and we’ll recognize and hold onto all the good that we receive from being outdoors in a small, supportive, female empowerment group.
Stay At Home Guidelines
Unfortunately, illness, injury and other unforeseen events may occur prior to camp that would prevent a camper from starting camp. In this case, please notify the Camp Director right away and discuss if there are any special arrangements that can be made to have the camper join us at a later date. Stay at home guidelines for illness:
- If the camper has had a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath or any other communicable disease symptoms – stay at home, call us.
- If the camper has a cold, earache, migraine headache, rash, is vomiting or has diarrhea – stay at home, call us.
- If the camper is just not feeling well, unusually tired, low activity level, pale, lack of appetite – stay at home, call us.
*COVID-19: Health leaders have declared an end to the pandemic and we have adjusted our policies as such:
- Testing: We are not requiring pre-camp testing for COVID-19. Our camp staff will not be administering tests for COVID-19 at camp.
Camper Health Screening & Staying Healthy
Upon arrival on the first day of camp, each camper receives a 1:1 camper check-in with an Alpenguide where temperatures are taken, medications are collected (over the counter and prescription), and verbal health screenings are conducted to assess the camper’s physical and mental health in order to start camp with us.
Once every camper is checked in, the Alpenguides review with the group how to keep germs to ourselves by not sharing water bottles, utensils, chap stick or food leftovers, and by covering coughs/sneezes. Alpenguides also review how to stay healthy at camp by teaching and monitoring frequent and proper hand washing practices using soap and water, regular use of alcohol based hand sanitizer, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, and by instructing campers to report any sickness, aches or pains to an Alpenguide right away.
Sick/Injured Campers At Camp
Campers, if you were to develop an illness or get injured at camp, your Alpenguides would need to know about it right away in order to take actions to help you and the group. We can’t read your mind, so we need your help in determining the solution for your discomfort and the overall health and safety of the group. We expect you to be proactive with stating your needs at camp. This includes telling us when you are feeling sick, tired, angry, sad, hungry, constipated, or are having menstrual cramps.
- If you tell your Alpenguides that you have a headache:
You will probably be asked you how much water you’ve had, how much food and sleep you’ve had, and if anything in particular is bothering you at camp. Your Alpenguides will probably ask you to drink water and they may be able to give you ibuprofen. Then they will see if you need rest, food or shade, or if you’re OK to continue with the group and they will check back in with you a little later to see how you’re feeling. If you still have a headache when they’ve checked back in with you, they will ask more questions and follow up with you. - If you have moderate to severe signs or symptoms of a flu-like illness such as fever, vomiting or nausea:
We will be more concerned. We will follow current guidelines and isolate you from the rest of the group, provide care to you and take you to a local medical care facility and then we’ll follow the recomendations provided to us by local health services and providers. - If your injury or illness prevents you from participating in activities as planned, it is a big concern to us.
Some parts of the scheduled camp itinerary can be opted out of in order for you to get back to feeling better. For example, if you aren’t feeling well, the camp staff could ask you to rest in the shade while camp dinner is being prepared by the cook group. But other activities are not so easy to opt out of without causing a big itinerary disturbance. For example, if you can’t walk while carrying weight, backpacking isn’t an option for you and you’ll need to see a doctor right away in a nearby town or back at home. - If your illness, chief complaint, pain, or discomfort increases over time or regularly prevents you from participating, we will have a plan in place with your parents to take you to a hospital or return you home for more care than we are able to offer during camp.
We will try to accommodate you in every way we can, however, if your injury or illness is extended or reoccurring and exhausts the staff’s responsibility to care for the rest of the group, we will have no choice but to return you home for the care you need.
If a camper tests positive for any communicable disease, we will be in conversation with the camper’s parents about next steps, that could include early departure from camp. Be sure to carefully read the Terms and Conditions regarding “24 Pick Up Notice from Camp.”
Trip & Travel Insurance
Accidents, injuries, illnesses and other events or situations can occur before or during camp which may prevent you from starting or staying at camp with us. Your family can incur costs and/or losses due to trip delay, cancellation or interruption or early termination, medical treatment or evacuation on a trip or otherwise, or costs incurred from cancelled flights, lost baggage, or other costs.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND that parents consider purchasing trip and/or travel insurance that may include coverage for paid program tuition or other fees and cover some of the costs and/or losses as described above. NOTE: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plans may require purchase within 7-21 days of paying a trip deposit.
Camp families can choose any 3rd party insurance program or company that they prefer in order to best protect their investment this summer. You can also select a plan through Travmark Insurance through your camper’s Registration Form. If interested in purcharsing travel insurance after you have completed your initial Registration Form, please contact agent Mark Ceslowitz.
Alpengirl’s cancellation and refund policy and insurance information is provided in the Terms of Agreement section of the Registration Form.
Outdoor Medicine & Wilderness First Aid Certifications
Your Alpenguides carry a fully stocked first aid kit and are certified to provide you with wilderness first aid care but are not qualified to make medical diagnoses and must follow wilderness medical protocol as written by licensed medical doctors and approved for Alpengirls use.
Alpenguides will assess your illness or injury and will determine if you need to see a doctor in order to continue participating in camp.
- If it is determined that you need to see a doctor for care because the illness or injury is beyond the camp staff’s level of training or ability to provide necessary care, Alpenguides will consult with your parents and either take you to a nearby clinic for examination by a doctor or return you home for parental and medical care.
- If you see a medical doctor while at camp, the doctor, your parents and Alpengirl must be in agreement that you are able to continue at camp without causing harm to yourself, the camp itinerary, and other campers.
What Is Wilderness First Aid?
Wilderness first aid certification courses are specifically designed for people who care for patients that are remote – over an hour’s time away from an ambulance or hospital. Alpengirl is considered remote much of the time.
Each Alpengirl camp session has at least two Alpenguides that are both CPR and wilderness medicine certified. Alpengirl’s guides are required to have a minimum certification of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and some guides may even have Wilderness EMT certifications.