BACKPACKING PROGRAM FAQ
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BACKPACKING TRIPS?
Our trips are open to youth between the ages of 14-19. We welcome all experience levels! As long as you have a desire to learn and feel capable of hiking several miles a day, we have a trip for you! Participants do NOT need to have attended Brave Trails before to participate in our backpacking trips.
The Adventure Trip is perfect for first-time backpackers.
The Expedition Trip is for anyone who has been backpacking at least once before!
What is the tuition cost?
The cost of tuition is $2100 for the Adventure Trip and $2200 for the Expedition Trip. This includes all hiking and backpacking equipment (minus clothing, shoes, and toiletries), staffing costs, meals, transportation to and from trailheads, programing costs, campsite and forest service permits, and more!
We gladly offer sliding scale pricing and financial assistance (up to 95%). Please don’t let funds stop you from applying!!
What is your COVID policy for this trip?
All participants must have a complete COVID vaccination record and all recent boosters. We will also perform a PCR or rapid test upon arrival to the program for all participants and staff. Otherwise, we will be in compliance with any local health department COVID orders. At the moment there are none. But as we know, this can change at any time.
Where will the backpacking trip take place?
The Adventure Trip will take place on a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail near Wrightwood, CA.
The Expedition Trip will take place in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe, CA.
When will the backpacking trip take place?
Adventure: June 29-July 5
On the Adventure trip, we will spend 3 nights and 4 days in the backcountry, hiking and camping on the trail. The rest of the time will be spent at BT Base Camp preparing, learning, and getting comfortable. These dates include clean up upon arrival back at BT Base Camp.
Expedition: July 13-20
On the Expedition trip, we will spend 4 nights and 5 days on the trail. These dates include clean up upon arrival back at BT Base Camp. This trip is geared towards hikers with some previous hiking and backpacking experience.
Tell me about the staff. How many staff members will be on the trip?
There will be 4 staff members on each trip: 1 Trip Leader, 2 Backpacking Counselors, and 1 designated Medical Staff member.
Our Brave Trails staff are the heart of what we do, creating exceptional camp experiences and building happy people - our backpacking staff members are no different! In addition to looking for kind and nurturing leaders who create a place of belonging in the outdoors, our backpacking staff must be at least 21 years old, WFA certified, and experienced in working with LGBTQ+ youth.
Our staff is made up of experienced backpackers, outdoor educators, youth workers, and medical professionals (EMT, WEMT, RN). All of our staff are LGBTQ+ knowledgeable and deeply invested in the mission of bringing LGBTQ+ youth to the outdoors. Each staff member completes an application, interview process, and background check before hiring. All staff members undergo Brave Trails safety training prior to participants arriving for their programs.
How many participants will be on the trip?
There will be a maximum of 9 youth participants and 4 staff members on each trip.
Are there any restrictions, qualifications, to participating in the trip?
All applicants must meet the essential eligibility requirements to participate in a trip. We will be spending significant time in remote areas, away from refrigeration for any medications, and up to 24 hours from definitive medical care. If the participant has specific physical, mental, medical, or personal needs, or has severe dietary restrictions, please contact us so that we can discuss whether our trips are appropriate.
Brave Trails requires that all participants obtain a physical exam by a physician.
Do I need gear to participate in this program?
Nope! All you will need to bring is your own hiking shoes, clothing, and toiletries, which will be clearly outlined in your packing list. Brave Trails provides all the backpacking gear you need for our trips! If you have your own gear that you would like to bring, please email backpacking@bravetrails.org with details to verify your experience will be consistent with all other participants. Additionally, please contact us if you have any specific health needs that require additional or alternative supplies.
Will there be showers, bathrooms, etc?
Part of the fun of backpacking is learning what it’s like to live without things like showers and plumbing. Our staff will teach hikers how to stay clean and hygienic on the trail. They will also teach you how to use the bathroom outdoors without a toilet. We will have access to toilets and running water to clean up on the first and last days of each trip at BT Base Camp.
My child is attending without friends. How do the trip leads build community?
If your child is not attending with friends, that’s okay! As with all of our camp programs, making new friends and building meaningful connections is an essential part of what we do. All of our staff are trained on building and maintaining a close-knit community. Your child might not begin the trip with close friends, but we know they will return with many new connections that will last far beyond their week together in the wild!
How do participants get to and from their trip start point?
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from their trip meeting point, where your Trip Leader and backpacking staff will be waiting to greet you. Brave Trails provides all transportation between the meeting point, BT Base Camp, and our hiking trailheads. This cost is included in your tuition.
The meeting point for the Adventure Trip is Ontario International Airport.
The meeting point for the Expedition Trip is Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
You will receive detailed arrival/departure instructions upon acceptance to the program. Some of our hikers choose to fly to their meeting point, while others are dropped off by vehicle. Public transit is also available at both meeting points.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD DO WE EAT ON THE TRAIL?
We will eat lots of wonderful food! The foods that we take on our trips are extremely intentional and accommodating; all things that are relatively lightweight, can be packed in small spaces, and will not spoil at varying temperatures. Because of this, they may not look like your typical meals at home.
Participants will get to choose all of their own meals and learn how to prepare them in the backcountry. We cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets. If you have any dietary restrictions or extreme dislikes, please contact us so that we can make sure you are accommodated for.
Examples of dehydrated meals we have to choose from: veggie curry, chicken pad thai, spaghetti marinara, beans and rice, veggie chili, couscous, ramen, vegan shepherd’s pie, and lentil stew. Breakfast includes a variety of things like oatmeal, cereal bars, dried fruit, granola, fig bars, and toaster pastries.
How much do I have to carry? How big are the backpacks?
We provide ~60L capacity packs on our trips. You will be carrying everything that you need in order to live in the backcountry for 4-5 days. All participants will carry their own personal belongings (clothing, toiletries, food, sleeping gear, etc.) as well as their share of group belongings (tent poles, rain fly, etc.) inside of their provided pack.
Your Trip Leader will ensure that packs are a reasonable weight before leaving on your trip. Expect to carry 20-30% of your body weight at the beginning of your trip, when packs are at their heaviest with food.
Where do participants sleep? Do I have to share a tent?
Participants will sleep inside of sleeping bags, on top of sleeping pads, inside of tents! You will share your tent with 2 other people, and split the weight of carrying the tent with your tent-mates when we’re on the move. We will go over all there is to know about setting up a campsite, pitching tents, and problem solving on day one at BT Base Camp.
Can participants bring their cellphones?
Please leave your phone at home to fully immerse yourself in our programs. They won’t work out on the trail anyway! If you are flying to your trip and need your phone to travel, you can turn it in to our staff when you arrive. They will keep it locked away until you depart. If you would like to take photos on your trip, you can bring a digital/point-and-shoot camera (no internet connection) or a disposable/Polaroid camera. But don’t worry about missing out on photo opportunities - our staff will be documenting along the way, and you’ll receive a link to a photo album after your trip!
How do families communicate with their participants?
A huge part of this experience is unplugging and enjoying our time in nature away from electronics and the outside world! Due to the remoteness of our programs, please know that there will be NO direct communication between parents/guardians and participants from arrival at their meeting point until departure day. All communication will go through the Trip Leader and/or Brave Trails camp Directors. On arrival and departure days, you will be able to contact the Trip Leader directly. During the trip, your emergency contact will be a camp Director. You will receive contact information upon acceptance to the program.
Our backpacking staff will carry GPS communication devices for emergencies and daily check-ins with camp Directors. These devices are able to communicate in remote areas without cell service. If parents or guardians need information, they can reach out to a camp Director for an update.
What happens in an emergency?
All of our backpacking staff members are certified in Wilderness First Aid, and we will have a dedicated Medical Staff member with an EMT or higher certification on each trip. In the event of a trail evacuation or other emergency, arrangements will be made by our qualified staff and emergency contacts will be notified. A detailed emergency procedure plan will be provided upon acceptance.
What does tuition cover?
Tuition covers hiking permits, staffing, extensive safety training, programming materials, planning costs, and all backpacking gear (minus personal toiletries, clothing, and hiking shoes).
This includes group supplies like food, cooking stove and utensils, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, maps, safety items, first aid kits, etc. Tuition also covers transportation between meeting points, BT Base Camp, and trailheads. (Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the meeting point on the first and last days of their program.)
Please know that there is no prorated cost if you choose to not use all of our supplies.
accreditation
We are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and part of the Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC). We know our LGBTQ+ youth deserve to have a top of the line summer camp experience. This is why we have committed to being a fully accredited summer camp since day one of operating. The American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation process is a commitment by camps to the highest standards of health, safety, and program quality. This means we meet over 250 standards in health, safety, staffing, training, and transportation, which are verified and inspected by the ACA on a regular basis.
The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC) is an organization of summer camp owners and directors, dedicated to operating excellent youth programs. On top of American Camp Association accreditation, WAIC offers us the opportunity to collaborate with independent camps across the country to ensure we are going above and beyond the status quo in providing a quality camp experience.
out of state & International campers
We gladly welcome out-of-state and international participants! We have welcomed youth from over 50 states and 17 different countries to our programs. A large percentage of our participants travel to join us each summer. We require all international participants to have a valid passport and travelers health insurance.
Medical & Mental Health at Camp
We care deeply about each of our participant’s physical and mental well-being while at Brave Trails. Safety is our absolute top priority. In addition to all of our staff members being Wilderness First Aid certified, we will have a medical professional on site at all times. Our Medical Staff provides basic care, first aid, and medication distribution/storage to hikers and staff throughout their trip. We take pride in caring for our participants in a nurturing and LGBTQ+ competent manner. All participants must have health insurance to attend our trips. Any medical or mental health issues beyond basic care and wilderness first aid will be outsourced to the nearest urgent care or hospital at the discretion of our Medical Staff.
If your hiker has a physical disability or mental health disorder (beyond mild depression or anxiety), please contact us before applying to discuss which programs are suitable. We want to be as prepared as possible to welcome your participant and make their stay with us comfortable and of course, fun! We find that the more honest and detailed you can be with our staff ahead of time, the better your hiker’s time with us will be. We want to work with you to the best of our ability. All participants should be able to do the following unassisted by staff: eating, bathing, dressing/undressing, stooping to enter tents, following directions, walking 5-10 miles per day on hilly, rustic, forest-based trails, carrying 20-30% of their body weight. We are happy to offer accommodations, such as: ensuring the hiker has trekking poles for balance and support, pacing moderation, hiking breaks, and other helpful adjustments within our capability.
While being at Brave Trails can be a therapeutic and joyful experience, we are NOT a therapy camp. Participants should be in a stable emotional and mental state when they arrive. Keep in mind that regardless of the positive and empowering nature of our programs, it is a physically and emotionally demanding experience. That said, we are a very mental health positive space. Participants who experience mild/moderate anxiety, depression, or dysphoria often do well in our programs if they have positive coping mechanisms. We encourage hikers to bring their prescribed medication and (non-electronic) coping skills with them (journal, sketch pad, fidget toy, a favorite book, etc.).
We ask that hikers who have been hospitalized for mental health concerns wait a full year before applying to ensure they are ready for the ups and downs of our programs. Brave Trails programs should never be used as a tool or replacement for mental health care.
Refund Policy
We understand that unforeseen changes can happen at any time and as such, this refund and payment policy ensures a transparent agreement between Brave Trails and the applicant, as well as their parent/legal guardian. Keep in mind that while programs start in the summer for participants, our staff works all year long to plan and ensure they have a safe, fun, and well organized experience, including: admissions, pre-trip administrative work, supplies purchasing, staff vetting/hiring/training, program planning, meal planning, and much more. We start ordering supplies and hiring staff members for your hiker as early as November. As such, this policy ensures a clear and fair outcome of what will follow if your participant needs to drop out of the trip at any point, for any reason.
All applications must be accompanied by a $100 non-refundable deposit toward each participant’s tuition. The deposit will be charged upon official acceptance to the program, after their interview. Credit card and debit card are the two forms of payment accepted by Camp Brave Trails, unless you are paying the entire amount of tuition upfront within one month of acceptance to the program or are an international participant paying via money order. Families may choose one of two payment plans upon acceptance:
Pay in full within one month of acceptance to the program.
Monthly Auto-Pay Payment Plan. Payments will be automatically charged to your primary card on file on the first of every month until June 1, 2024.
50% of tuition is due by April 15, 2024 and the full tuition amount is due by June 1, 2024. Any balance on the participant’s account on April 15th and June 1st will be automatically charged on these dates to the primary card on file. Failure to make payments on these dates will result in the loss of the participant’s spot and the participant will need to re-apply to the program if they still wish to attend. If you are having trouble making your payments, please communicate with a Brave Trails Director at least 72 hours before the payment due date(s) and we will do our best to work with you.
If you need to cancel your participant’s enrollment at any point, you must fill out the online cancellation form with the following understanding:
Prior to March 1, 2024 all tuition payments are refundable, minus the $100 non-refundable deposit.
Cancellations on or after March 1, 2024 will incur a $500 administrative fee.
Cancellations on or after April 1, 2024 will incur a $750 administrative fee.
Cancellations on or after May 1, 2024 will incur a $1000 administrative fee.
Cancellations on or after June 1, 2024 are non-refundable.
There will be no fee reduction, allowances, refunds, rebates or reimbursement for absences from the program due to illness, injury, homesickness, dismissal from the trip, voluntary withdrawal, no-show, late arrival, family emergencies, vacation, summer school, unexpected visits or events, unhappiness with the program, or for any other reason. There will be no fee reduction or reimbursement for changes in programming on our part. All decisions to change programming are made with the best interest of the participant’s safety and experience in mind.
In the event that the participant is dismissed, removed, or leaves the program early for any reason (homesickness, illness, injury, unhappiness with the program, etc.), the participant’s parent or legal guardian is 100% financially responsible for any cost associated with exiting the hiker from the trip within 24 hours. The family is 100% responsible for arranging transportation, purchasing tickets (plane, bus, train etc.), and costs associated with pick-up & drop-off (airport drop-off, taxi, etc). If a Brave Trails staff member is available to provide transportation to the airport for early departure, there is a $150 staffing & mileage fee to be paid before the ride is given.