California Explorer

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California Explorer

Destination

California

Current Grades

7th, 8th, 9th

length

18 Days

view dates and prices
Meeting Place

​Arrive and depart
Sacramento, CA (SMF)

Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of northern California with our 18-day adventure! Begin your journey by hiking through the tallest Redwoods in the state, right on the CA coast. Experience the thrill of splashing down the Rogue and American rivers in whitewater rafts and inflatable kayaks. Challenge yourself with mountain biking and rock climbing in the scenic shadows of Mt. Shasta. Explore the fascinating lava tubes and thermal fields of Lassen Peak, and conquer its 10,457-foot summit on a breathtaking sunrise hike.

The California adventure camp is perfect for teens of all levels of experience. With expert guidance, we ensure a supportive and fun environment where everyone will thrive.

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California Explorer Itinerary

Hike in Point Reyes State Park

Explore different trails in Point Reyes, a scenic inlet known for its elephant seals and sea lions. We’ll hike through Douglas fir (which reach up to 250 feet in height) and oak forests, past fields of wildflowers, and next to the ocean. Above, watch for golden and bald eagles and many species of hawks, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, humpback whales, and porpoises in the water!

Hike in Redwoods National and State Parks

Gaze in awe at the towering giants of California’s old-growth coastal Redwoods, some soaring over 300 feet high! Over several exciting days, you’ll hike through these majestic, world-famous forests, shaded by the tallest trees on earth. Walk through vibrant fields of wildflowers, including the iconic lupine and rhododendrom blooms. Keep your eyes peeled for hawks, bald eagles, osprey, and peregrine falcons gliding through the sky overhead. You may see Roosevelt elk and deer gracefully moving through the forest or grazing in the scenic coastal grasslands. And if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a playful fox or a sleek river otter! On the coast itself, peer into the tidepools for bright pink, purple, and green sea stars, anenome, sea urchins, crabs, and more! In the distance, you may see harbor seals, sea lions, and gray whales.

This is more than just a hike—it’s an unforgettable adventure in nature’s most awe-inspiring playground.

Whitewater raft the Rogue River

Spend three blissfully fun days bonding with your friends while paddling down the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in southern Oregon. Feel the rush as you navigate through thrilling rapids surrounded by pristine wilderness and rugged canyons. During the day, the adventure never stops with splash wars and laughter echoing across the water. In the evenings, relax on the riverbanks and share stories under a starry sky.

Summit Lassen Peak

Embark on an unforgettable two-day adventure around the mighty Lassen Peak in the breathtaking Cascade Range. Discover the hidden wonders of underground lava tubes, bubbling mud pots, and other fascinating hydrothermal features that make this lava dome a natural wonder. As the sun sets, get ready for an early night because our hike to the 10,457-foot peak awaits at dawn. Imagine standing at the top, watching the first light of day break over the horizon—an experience you’ll never forget.

Rock climb and mountain bike in Mt. Shasta

Gear up for a rock climbing adventure at the riverside crags near the behemoth Mt. Shasta! With routes for all abilities, you’ll challenge yourself and progress at your own pace. Reach new heights as you climb against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty. When it’s time to cool off, take a refreshing plunge into one of the sparkling swimming holes in the Sacramento River. Today combines the excitement of climbing with the fun of swimming holes in the forest.

The next day, you’ll love riding the trails around Lake Siskiyou, nestled at the foot of Mt. Shasta. Choose your adventure: Zoom down thrilling flowy trails or take a mellower approach on beginner-friendly tracks. Wind your way through thick forests and enjoy wide-open trails that offer breathtaking views and a super-fun biking experience.

Whitewater raft the American River

Get ready for an epic adventure on the Wild and Scenic American River! Fueled by the fresh snow melt from the Sierra Nevada and surrounded by lush, vibrant scenery, this is the ultimate whitewater rafting experience. Ride the continuous rapids and feel the rush as you navigate the twists and turns of this exhilarating river.

Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/24/25
  • Return Day
    07/11/25
  • Price
    $5,495
Departure Day Return Day Price
06/24/25
07/11/25
$5,495

Tuition and dates will be finalized in October 2024.

Included in tuition:
  • All meals
  • Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, and all group gear
  • Guided activities
Not included in tuition:
  • Airfare to and from Sacramento, CA (SMF)
  • Trip insurance (more info here)
  • Personal clothing and items (packing lists available for enrolled families)
Camping

About three-quarters of our nights are spent at “frontcountry” campsites, where we’ll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other quarter will be spent “backcountry” camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Multi-day activities like backpacking and canoeing take place in the backcountry.

Challenge/fitness level

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome!

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so Adventure Treks does not “rate” its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be engaged in different outdoor activities throughout each trip, our students have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow students can succeed. One student not coming prepared with physical fitness will negatively impact the entire group. In the months leading up to their trip, students should develop a routine that emphasizes stamina and sustaining a moderate level of exertion for many hours, several days in a row. Running, swimming, bicycling, aerobics classes, and team sports are all beneficial and will help improve cardiovascular fitness in preparation for a student’s trip.

Activities

​Backpacking

Mountain summit

Mountain biking

Rock climbing

Whitewater rafting

Reviews

Christine Cafasso, Washington, DC
July 2024

I chose Adventure Treks specifically because of Amanda’s availability and responsibility to talk me through all of my questions, address all of my concerns with thoughtful and believable answers—it was my ability to have direct and frequent conversations with ownership that allowed me to place my trust in AT. Miezi had a holistic experience that allowed her to safely challenge herself mentally and physically. She spoke mostly of the strong friendships she forged and camaraderie among her peers. She was not really interested in going on this trip—but stepped off the plane back home with smiles and a positive attitude. It was the perfect mix of challenge and fun. For a teen who can’t wake before 10am, I was thrilled to hear about daily adventures that required them to wake early for mountain summits and other activities. She did it!

Lesley Sachs, Osprey, FL
July 2024

Sending your child across the country on their own to be cared for by strangers for three weeks outdoors is not a small or easy decision, but this was absolutely the best choice we could make for our son at this time in his life. The trip was a good mix of outdoor adventure activities that he loved like hiking, rafting, and rock climbing, and plenty of time to just be a kid outdoors with other kids (especially without phones and WiFi). This is the type of experience that builds children’s self-esteem and the confidence that they can tackle any obstacle with preparation, persistence, and plenty of snacks.

Amy Morosoff, San Clemente, CA
July 2024

From the very beginning, when my husband and I started looking into various trips for our boys, we were very impressed with everyone that we talked with at Adventure Treks. In particular, the directors, Dave and Amanda, couldn’t have been nicer and more informative and knowledgeable about the trips. Fast forward to post-trip, I am extremely pleased and actually in awe of all of the varied physical challenges, fun games, and true connections without electronics that both of my sons experienced on the trip. The communication from top to bottom has been just wonderful.

There are several things that I think they learned on the trip. I think they learned that they didn’t need their phones as much as they once thought. I also think that they learned to be themselves and be “free” of any peer expectation and felt accepted. I hope that in some small way this attitude of acceptance can translate to the real world (high school and middle school). Almost as soon as we greeted the kids at the airport on closing day, they both said, “We want to go back!” We never in a million years thought that our nervous and hesitant boys would have had this remark post-trip. Our feelings weren’t hurt, but rather our hearts were so full knowing that they truly enjoyed themselves and made new connections with their peers, leaders, and outdoor adventures. They are already thinking about the next trip in 2025! I couldn’t recommend this company enough. I am truly so grateful for the experience that they provided for my sons.

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