California: Pacific Sun

Trip Name
California: Pacific Sun

Who It's For
High school students (grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 2 (High School): July 9 – July 22, 2026
Session 3 (High School): July 26 – August 8, 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 straight to the coast. Settle in and kick off the trip with games, dinner, and a first look at the Pacific.

Day 2: Surfing & Coastal Camp
Wake up to the sound of waves and spend the day learning to surf. Play beach games, explore tidepools, and camp just steps from the ocean.

Days 3–4: Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Travel inland for two days of rafting and riverside camping. Paddle Class II–III rapids and cook meals together under the stars.

Day 5: Paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe
Head to the mountains for a full day on the water. Paddle across Lake Tahoe, swim, and relax with mountain views all around.

Days 6–7: Ropes Course & Group Challenges
Take on high and low ropes elements with your team. Build trust, climb, and reflect on what it means to grow together.

Days 8–9: Yosemite Biking & Hiking
Bike through Yosemite’s iconic valley, then lace up your boots and explore the park’s trails on foot.

Days 10–11: Backcountry Exploration
Trek deeper into Yosemite and surrounding wilderness. Unplug, camp, and reflect in some of California’s most beautiful landscapes.

Day 12: Final Hike & Celebration
Wrap up the trip with a short hike and lakeside celebration. Share memories, laughter, and your favorite moments.

Day 13: Travel to San Francisco
Make your way back to the Bay. Enjoy a final night together with a sunset view and 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.

Group Tents: Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender identity.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites are simple with access to bathrooms and showers every few days.

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.

Travel Days
Session 2: Departs July 9 (Thursday) from San Francisco
Session 3: Departs July 26 (Sunday) from San Francisco
These are departure dates. Teens arrive home on the final day of the trip.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all necessary details for check-in and pick-up.

Packing
We send a full packing list well before the trip. Everything should fit in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Headlamp
Rain jacket
Sturdy hiking shoes
Swimsuit + towel
No special gear needed—we keep it simple.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and one small carry-on backpack.

🪪 Paperwork + Requirements

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
No specific vaccinations required. Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine CDC-recommended immunizations.

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.