California: Pacific Sun

Trip Name
California: Pacific Sun

Who It's For
Middle school students (completing grades 6–8)

2026 Sessions
Session 2: July 2 – July 15, 2026
Session 3: July 19 – August 1, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
California - from the Pacific Coast to the Sierra Nevada

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
16–20

Tuition
$5,195

This is the plan, but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Arrival & Group Kickoff
Fly into San Francisco, meet your group, and head to the coast. Settle in and kick off the trip with games, dinner, and a first look at the Pacific.

Day 2: Orientation & Muir Woods
Get to know your group with games and group time in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Walk among redwoods in Muir Woods and take in views of the Bay.

Day 3: Mount Tam Hike & Travel Inland
Hike to the top of Mount Tamalpais for big views of the coast, then travel inland to your first camp. Settle in and cook dinner together under the stars.

Day 4: Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Paddle Class II–III rapids on the American River. Learn to steer, paddle, and work as a team while camping riverside.

Day 5: Transfer to Yosemite
Leave the river behind and head toward the Sierra. Arrive in Yosemite and set up camp in the pines.

Days 6–7: Yosemite Biking & Hiking
Bike through Yosemite Valley, then explore the trails on foot. Pass waterfalls, granite walls, and meadows filled with wildflowers.

Days 8–9: Trail Work & Wilderness Camping
Travel deeper into the backcountry for two nights of remote camping and trail work. Unplug, cook together, and reflect in the quiet.

Day 10: Travel to Lake Tahoe
Pack up camp and head north to Lake Tahoe. Stop for views and get ready for the next adventure.

Day 11: Ropes Course Challenge
Climb, swing, and support each other through high and low ropes elements. Build trust and confidence with your group.

Day 12: Paddleboarding & Coastal Transfer
Start your day paddling on Lake Tahoe. After lunch, head to the coast for one last night under the stars.

Day 13: Surfing & Trip Celebration
Catch your first waves with a surf lesson, play beach games, and celebrate your trip with a sunset closing circle.

Day 14: Departure
Say your goodbyes and head to the airport for the flight home.

We’ll be tent camping across California, from the coast to the mountains for the majority of the trip. We also spend two nights in a family friendly hostel at the start of the trip.

Group Tents and Rooms: Teens sleep in shared tents or rooms (2–3 per tent), divided by gender.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites are simple but family friendly. There are rustic bathrooms at each campsite we stay at, and we typically have short showers every 3-4 days to rinse off and freshen up.

Setup & Breakdown: Everyone helps set up camp, cook, clean, and keep the site running.

What to Expect: Ocean breezes at night, fresh mountain air in the morning, and lots of time outside.

All meals are prepared together at camp.

Cook Crew: Each day, teens take turns planning, prepping, and cooking meals alongside staff.

Simple + Fresh: Meals are hearty, familiar, and made for camping. Think burrito bowls, pasta, pancakes, sandwiches, and stir fry.

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Snacks + Hydration: We build in regular snack breaks and water stops, especially during active days like hiking and rafting.

Flights
Families book flights to and from San Francisco, California (SFO).
Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

Once enrolled, you’ll access your RLT portal to complete the required forms:
Health history
Participant agreement
Emergency contact info
These must be submitted before the trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor visit needed unless your teen has developed a new or complex medical condition. Our team reviews all forms to ensure we’re prepared.

Medications
All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be listed in the medical form. Leaders will hold and dispense meds as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll share a Code of Conduct to review with your teen. This sets clear expectations so everyone feels safe and included.

Trip Insurance
Not required for domestic trips, but strongly encouraged. You’re welcome to use any third-party provider.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Passport
Not needed for this program.

Device-Free Philosophy
Our trips are intentionally phone-free. Leaders collect all phones and personal electronics on Day 1 and return them at the end.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras and GoPros are welcome. Trip leaders also take photos and share them in an online gallery after the trip.

Communication
We’ll stay in touch with families through regular updates during the trip. For emergencies, our on-call team is available 24/7.