Summer 2024 Registration is Now Open!
For 7 days/6 nights, youth ages 10-17 can join us in the Oregon backcountry for a unique and rewarding summer camp experience. Our one-of-a-kind model teaches: backcountry skills, confidence, learning from nature, Leave No Trace, dedication to safety, and fun! With two guides leading a group of up to 10 youth, we offer a 1:5 guide to camper ratio. We provide all food and group gear (e.g., tents, camp stoves, water filters), and each youth brings a backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad as key personal gear you’ll need. We have a full gear closet available to you for any items you do not already own.
Registration & Scholarships
Registration is now open! Tuition ranges from $1455 to $2155 for all trips. Should these prices be a barrier to attending, please view our scholarships page to fill out a scholarship request form. We offer scholarships on a sliding scale from 15% to 100% tuition coverage, and all are encouraged to apply.
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2024 Youth Expedition offerings include:
- John Day River Rovers (girls/non-binary), middle schoolers
- Strawberries Basecamp*, middle schoolers & high schoolers
- Ponderosa Dwellers, ages 10-12
- Three Fingered Jack Loop, middle schoolers
- Strawberry Lakes Loop, middle school & high schoolers
- Cascade Dwellers, ages 10-12
- Elkhorn Crest Circuit, middle schoolers
- Boys Going Glacial (boys, non-binary), middle schoolers
- Tour de Lacs Jr*, middle schoolers
- Blue Mountain Traverse, high schoolers
- Ladies of the Elkhorns (girls, non-binary), middle schoolers
- LGBTQ+ Basecamp, high schoolers
- Three Sisters Dwellers*, ages 10-12
*New expedition alert!
Transportation
Youth Expeditions are launched from the Howard Creek Trailhead in Silver Falls State Park. Pick up and drop off will be just past the main parking area. After registering, you should receive driving directions and more information.
Cancellation Policy
Your reservation is fully refundable at least 60 days out from the trip start date. Within 60 days, this trip is no longer refundable. If this is a problem for you, we strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Visit SquareMouth to get a quote from many different trip insurance providers. If you'd like "cancel for any reason" insurance, there's usually a requirement that you acquire it within a short window after booking your trip.
Questions?
View our Frequently Asked Questions. Also, you can reach out to us by email at expeditions@opalcreek.org or phone at (503)892-2782, ext. 1.
VIEW YOUTH OFFERINGS
Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center operates under a special-use permit for the Willamette, Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, the Malheur National Forest, the Umatilla National Forest, and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest from the US Forest Service and an Oregon outfitter guide permit from the Oregon State Marine Board. We are an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider.
