Registration Deadline: April 30, 2025.
Paperwork Deadline: May 15, 2025.

Expedition High Peaks Backpacking is a backpacking program designed for high school youth to build confidence, develop new outdoor skills, and experience the joy of adventure through backpacking, camping, and building community.

During this course, participants will explore Colorado’s high country with a five-night, six-day backpacking adventure. Over the course of the week, participants will practice essential outdoor skills, safety and navigation techniques, and teamwork, all while exploring some of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes.

• Day 1 (Monday): Kickoff at Women’s Wilderness
  We’ll begin by getting to know one another through fun team-building activities. Together, we’ll learn the basics of packing a backpack and secure any gear needed from our gear library. Once ready, we’ll set off for our adventure in Colorado’s high country!
• Day 1-5 (Monday to Friday): Backpacking in Colorado’s High Country
  Our first day will be a shorter day as we establish our first camp. Each day after, our adventure  will guarantee approximately 4-5 miles of backpacking each day. Our scenic route will include alpine lakes, towering peaks, and beautiful forests. Our permit will be solidified by Spring 2025, and the exact location will be shared with registrants once it is confirmed. Along the way, participants will:

  • Learn essential backpacking and backcountry camping skills.
  • Practice trail navigation and safety.
  • Take on leadership roles, learning to work as a team on the trail and at camp.

• Day 6 (Saturday): Last Day and Return to Boulder
  On Saturday morning, we’ll hike out to our vehicles and return to Boulder, where we will unpack and deissue our gear, while reflecting on our incredible adventure and lifetime of memories!

This course is led by professional and experienced outdoor guides and rock technicians with extensive experience in youth outdoor education. Each guide is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is fully trained in Women’s Wilderness curriculum and risk management protocols, ensuring a safe, enriching, and enjoyable experience for every participant.

Expedition High Peaks Backpacking Details:

• Ages: Entering grades 9-12
• Date: Monday, July 28 – Saturday August, 2, 2025
• Time: Drop Off – 7:00AM on start date / Pick Up – 3:00PM on end date.
• Location: Colorado high country (pick up and drop off will be from Women’s Wilderness headquarters in Boulder)
• Price: $1050 pay-in-full or 4 payments of $262.50
• Activity level: intermediate. Some prior experience is recommended; ability to exert/push self in challenging ways

Financial Aid is core to our mission to make the outdoors accessible to all people. Please do not register for camp before receiving an award notice because we are unable to retroactively apply financial aid awards. Apply here for Financial Aid.

Activities & Features:

• Campcraft, including backcountry cooking, tent set-up, and pack packing
• Backpacking through spacious alpine environments studded with pristine lakes and soaring peaks
• Build, refine and expand backpacking skills and wilderness medicine knowledge
• Dive deep to your values, passions, and unique leadership capabilities
• Take space away from technology and screens

Included in the Program:

• Engaging activities: Daily hands-on experiences to inspire creativity and connection.
• Meals & Snacks: All meals and snacks are provided each day 
• Outdoor gear: Access to essential items, including clothing and backpacks.
• Transportation: We handle all travel to and from the course location in Colorado (families must provide transportation to/from Women’s Wilderness)
• Camping essentials: All gear provided, including tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment.
• Backpacking essentials: All gear provided, including backpacks, lightweight cookware, and food

Everything is taken care of so participants can focus on having an unforgettable outdoor adventure!

A  detailed list of items to bring for this course will be sent to families upon registration. Women’s Wilderness has most items in our gear library for participants to borrow and use (a gear reservation link will be sent to each family closer to the trip date). 

Accessibility & Accommodations:

All physical, psychological, cultural, and religious accommodations of participants will be discussed and considered with families prior to camp. 

• Physical: This course includes backpacking up to 5 miles per day. Participants should feel comfortable sleeping outdoors, in a tent, and on a sleeping pad. Access to restrooms on course  include pit toilets and backcountry cat holes. Hand washing with water and soap provided.
• Psychological: Staff are trained to manage emotions that may influence a participant’s decision to participate, including fear and homesickness. We welcome youth who this would be their first time camping and/or first time overnighting away from home.
• Language: English is the primary language used during our field courses. While fluency is not required, participants must be able to understand instructions and directions, especially those related to safety and risk management.

Child Care Licensing Requirements:

Due to our licensing we are required to have all forms below that apply. Please make sure to make an appointment before the paperwork deadline:

• Required for ALL participants: Youth Health Form (Physical- We will provide the form)
• If participant has allergy that requires an epi-pen: Colorado Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan
• If participant has asthma: Colorado Asthma Care Plan and Medication
• If participant has seizures: Seizures Emergency Care Plan and Medication Orders
• If participant has been to counselor/therapist in past 2 years: Counselor/Therapist Form

This paperwork must be turned in by the paperwork due date MAY 15, 2025 for your student to keep their spot in our youth camp. Please make sure that your physical appointment is set before that date.

Curious about our philosophy, risk management protocols, and how to best prepare of the course? Click here to read our Parent & Family Guidebook.

For any questions email support@womenswilderness.org