Get Started:

Thanks for your interest in going on a 2024 Wild Grief Teen Backpack! Please read below to learn our application process. Space on our trips is limited; we usually have more applicants than we have spaces.

2024 Backpacking Trip Dates:

  • Trip 1: Thursday, July 25th-Sunday, July 28th

  • Trip 2: Thursday, August 1st-Sunday, August 4th

  • Trip 3: Thursday, August 15th-Sunday, August 18th

Required Pre-trip Orientation and Picnic in Olympia (for those going on the trip and their guardians/parents):

  • Saturday, July 20th

Application deadline:

Apply as soon as you can! Trips fill up.

We consider a variety of factors in filling our trips and we consider applications in the order received. The sooner you get it in the better your chance of getting in as these free programs can fill up fast.

How to Apply (What Happens Before you Can Join a Backpack): 

  1. Make sure the hike is available to you by reading through the eligibility criteria. You must meet the criteria to be considered for the backpack. We do not want to waste your time or create expectations we cannot fulfill.  

  2. Learn more about the hike by reading the FAQs and watching the video. Attend an info session (dates TBD). You can attend the session after you submit an application, but you must attend an info session before we can meet with you (step 5) because it includes a brief orientation as well as important info about the trip. Sign up to attend an info session here.

  3. Talk with your teen or guardian(s) about this hike. After learning everything in step 2, decide separately and together if this hike seems like a good fit. Agreement by everyone involved about the hike is required. 

  4. Fill out the applications. We need all three of these forms filled out before the next steps. Fill these in independently of each other:  

    1. For the parent/guardian to fill out: Parent/Guardian Application & Medical/Emergency Form

    2. For the Teen to fill out: Teen Application

  5. Based on your application, within a few weeks, we will schedule a short Zoom call with the teen, their guardian, a Wild Grief Guide and a Mental Health Counselor to answer remaining questions, and learn more about each other. This is fairly informal and mostly allows everyone to talk freely about expectations, concerns, and anything else to see if it is a good fit all around.

  6. Within a few weeks we will let you know if it will work for you to join us on a trip this year.

What Happens Next (After You Get a Spot on the Trip):

  • Picnic Orientation: We will all join together (hikers, leaders, parents/guardians, and other Wild Grief volunteers) for a required picnic orientation in Olympia. Trust us, this is fun. It will last 4 hours and you will get a feel for the hike, share a meal, get any last questions answered, meet the group, get your gear fitted, and learn some backpacking skills. 

  • Morning of Hike: We meet at 7:00 in Olympia, hand out backpacking gear, help you pack, give you more backpack training, and travel by van to the trailhead and start our backpack adventure.

Questions: Call or text us at 360-358-3213 or email info@wildgrief.org