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Life Changing Travel
 

$5,195 | Completing Grades 6 – 8

California: Pacific Sun

JULY 2 – JULY 15, 2026

JULY 19 – AUGUST 1, 2026

JULY 2 – JULY 15, 2026 JULY 19 – AUGUST 1, 2026

 

Don’t read it. Feel it.

Want to hear what this trip is really like? Olly—our Director of Student Recruitment—has helped hundreds of families find the right fit, and in this short audio guide, he’ll walk you through the trip.

An at-a-glance look at the trip

Want the full breakdown? You’ll find it at the bottom of the page.

What real people say about our trips

 
Featured
Jay T, an RLT parent

Our daughter had the best summer of her life—she’s already signed up for two more. She came back more confident, more connected, and more excited than ever to keep exploring the world.

Caitlin H, an RLT parent

Our sons came back with a new sense of self—more independent, more open, and deeply proud of what they’d done. They had fun, made friends, and grew in all the right ways.

Lisa G, an RLT parent

We were blown away by how much he grew—he came back more mature, proud of what he accomplished, and full of stories about the friends he made and the challenges he tackled.

 

All the details in one place

From lodging to logistics — here’s everything you’ll want to know before heading to California.

  • 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 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 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.

Save your spot for California

Spots will go fast. Reserve yours now and get ready to dive in.