Supporting outdoor education in America’s National Parks since 1997

Since the summer of 1997, Lasting Adventures has provided more than 1,500 scholarships for disadvantaged youth and families to explore the wonder of America’s National Parks. We believe that all youth should have the opportunity to experience and learn from wild places, regardless of their financial circumstances. If you would like to join in our goal of making life-changing educational adventures in National ParkS accessible to underserved youth, please consider a tax deductible contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank You for supporting Lasting Adventures, Inc!

Support An Outdoor Education Adventure!

CUSTOM OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR GROUPS

Along with our top-rated Yosemite National Park summer camp and guide program, Lasting Adventures offers special, reduced-rate adventure-based Outdoor Education experiences for public schools, private schools, clubs, sports teams, scouts, and other special groups.

By combining our national park knowledge and wilderness expertise and collaborating with group leaders, we’re able to provide uniquely influential programs with impact that lasts a lifetime. Trips range from three to seven days in length, with each offering a customized curriculum and backpacking itinerary.

AN EDUCATOR’S TAKE

“The Lasting Adventures program provides for an invaluable growth opportunity for our students in the natural classroom of Yosemite. The staff at Lasting Adventures is amazing; they understand how to push young people towards challenging goals while providing constant support. They are passionate about Yosemite and all the lessons this great park can teach us about ourselves and the environment. Working with them to design the best program for our students was a pleasure.”

–Ingermarie Davis, San Carlos Charter Learning Center

A ONE-OF-A-KIND, ADVENTURE-BASED OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

In collaboration with leaders from participating institutions, our guides and counselors develop a customized curriculum for every outdoor education group to participate. These curricula generally focus on some or all of the following emphases, tailored to accommodate each specific group.

Course emphases:

  • Geology
  • Natural History
  • Cultural History
  • Environmental Science
  • Watersheds, Rivers, and Lakes
  • Leadership Skills and Team Building
  • Academic growth and Goal setting
  • Group communication and problem solving skills
  • Personal growth and development of interpersonal skills
  • Backpacking skills, backcountry ethics, and environmental awareness

With all of our outdoor ed programs, participants engage together in a variety of safe adventure activities, educational games, and the experiential learning cycle within some of America’s most beloved National Parks. The daily activities included in our Outdoor Ed programs have been developed over our 23-year history as Yosemite’s leading youth adventure-based educator, and are vetted to ensure positive experiences in alignment with our core values.

Central to each activity are the four fundamental principals of adventure-based programming: Significant, Challenging, Supportive, and Fun!

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Richard Triana, Group Leader of Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona

I am happy to say that last summer’s Yosemite trip was really amazing. Although all of my students have disappeared into their schools, the ones I run into still report an amazing experience.”

Youth Participant, October 2017

My two guides served as incredible mentors and were impressively dedicated to keeping me motivated. They helped create a great community between me and my fellow campers. This program, and my guides, taught me skills that I can apply to my future and anyone who loves hiking would be happy to be involved in this outdoor program.”

Neil Aho, Group Leader of The Academy, Berkeley, CA

“I’m a school science teacher who took a group of students on a week long, 40 mile backpacking trip. Some of the kids had never camped before. We had rain, hail, thunder, lightning and cold, but we had the best time. Lasting Adventures knew how to keep the kids happy and safe while also taking us to some of the most amazing places, like natural water slides that blew the kid’s minds that we never would have found on our own. Their experience and knowledge of the Yosemite backcountry made our trip feel like 10 awesome trips rolled into one.”

Youth Participant, July 2017

“The 13 day hike was a fun challenge filled with new experiences and stunning vistas. The two counselors Jack and Kara were super nice and very knowledgeable about the park and its Flora and Fauna.”

PRICING

Lasting Adventures began as a youth-benefiting nonprofit, and our scholarship program continues to be a defining part of our mission today. As such, we understand the need to offer affordable opportunities. We do our best to minimize costs so every youth and teen can benefit from our life-changing national park experiences. While prices vary, below is a sample base cost for a custom outdoor education program in 2022:

Low Season (August 16 – June 14) High Season (June 15 – August 15)
3 Day / 2 Night  $620 / student  $698 / student
4 Day / 3 Night  $830 / student  $930 / student
5 Day / 4 Night  $1035 / student  $1160 / student
6 Day / 5 Night  $1240 / student  $1395/ student
7 Day / 6 Night  $1390 / student  $1565 / student

*pending availability and minimum group size of 8

Available: Year-round (Snowshoe backpacking December-April)

These costs include all food; group gear; backpacks, sleeping bags, and ground mats (as needed); guides, permits, insurances, a souvenir t-shirt, and memories to last a lifetime! Please note that prices are based on a minimum of 8 participants and may be slightly higher for smaller groups and during our prime season of mid-June through mid-August.

Please refer to the Youth Summer Camp section of our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to many questions including meeting times and locations.

We look forward to talking to you more about administering an Adventure-Based Outdoor Education program for your school or group!

To speak with us directly, please contact our admin team (real people, not robots) at 1-800-513-8651, or by emailing us at Staff@LastingAdventures.org