Supporting educational Outdoor Adventures for underserved youth 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 Public Lands. 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 Inyo National Forest accessible to underserved youth, please consider a tax deductible contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank You for supporting Lasting Adventures, Inc!

Support A Youth Participant in Inyo!

Overview: Summer Camp Programs in Inyo National Forest, Northern California

New in 2024, Lasting Adventures is offering popularly requested alpine backpacking adventures in Inyo National Forest! This 6-day youth backpacking trips for teens ages 13 to 17 lead our adventurers from Mammoth Lakes through the Ansel Adams Wilderness over mountain passes and rugged scenery into the high country of Yosemite National Park. This adventure includes hiking through alpine meadows, below craggy Sierra peaks, and visiting some of the best scenery in California. You will camp next to some of the most scenic lakes in the range and enjoy sunsets on 13,000ft peaks. Most trips have an opportunity to summit a major peak and/or explore nearby lakes, waterfalls or geologic features. With instruction from our educators/guides, your participant will learn to appreciate this landscape on a deeper level while they participate in daily activities and challenges. Through Lasting Adventures outdoor education programming, participants will be challenged to improve their backpacking and leadership skills, as well as learn about the local natural and human history, and build self confidence. Participants will participate in daily goal setting, group activities, and debriefing. This is all done within an environment of fun and support. All participants will also learn basic backpacking skills, wilderness ethics, wilderness appreciation, and Leave No Trace principles. Along with creating lasting memories, it is our goal that participants will finish this adventure with a greater knowledge and appreciation of themselves, the world at large, and the environments around them.

The Outdoor Summer Camp Experience

Whether marveling at a shooting star, marveling at an ancient bristlecone, or laughing with new friends around a campfire—the ultimate goal of our Inyo summer camps is to share unforgettable moments in nature that inspire lifelong passions in youth and teens. Participants in our Inyo programs will find themselves among some of the most stunning natural scenery America has to offer: Iconic trails overlooking soaring mountain peaks, deep valleys, and ancient lakes—spectacular wilderness abounds all across Inyo. Our Inyo summer camps delve into the depths of the backcountry with insight and guidance from our experienced leaders, all of whom possess intimate knowledge of the surrounding environment. On most trips, we backpack every day but one (a layover day, location is usually agreed upon by the team), and we are on the trail for an average of four to six hours per day. Throughout the experience we take our time to enjoy the views and break at some pretty awesome watering holes. We come away with an enlightened understanding of the natural environment, an appreciation for ourselves, connections with new friends, and a passion for the outdoors to last a lifetime.

Our Adventure Summer Camp Mission

Our primary mission for our outdoor summer camp is to use the natural environment and outdoor activities to teach participants the necessary skills and attitudes for living successful lives. We also strive to foster an appreciation for the wilderness, nature, and the world around us. In addition to unique individual backgrounds and certifications, our leaders are all trained in Adventure Based Programming. Through Adventure Based Programming, participants will be challenged to improve their sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. Participants will participate in daily goal setting, group activities and debriefing (usually mixed in with marshmallows around the campfire.) This is all done within an environment of fun and support. All participants will also learn basic backpacking skills, wilderness ethics, wilderness appreciation and engage in Leave No Trace principles. Along with creating lasting memories, it is our goal that participants will finish this adventure with a greater knowledge of themselves, the world, and the environment around them.

Check Out Our Inyo National Forest Summer Camps

6-Day Inyo National Forest Youth Adventure

Highlights:
Starting Summer 2025, we will be offering a 6-Day Guided Backpacking Summer Camp Adventure for teens that explores many of the most iconic parts of Inyo National Forest