Break away from the ordinary and experience this action packed trip with your graduate. The Cascade Mountains along with its waterfalls, lush forests, and wild rivers offer active families an unmatched natural destination for adventure. We encounter it from a variety of appoaches: trekking through mountain meadows to timberline, hiking in search of hidden waterfalls, riding bikes on backcountry roads, floating down a river, camping beneath towering canyon walls, and whitewater rafting on a wild and scenic river.  Along the way you'll pitch-in on a service project to restore habitat in a remarkable watershed.  Additionally, our instructors are sure to deliver. This trip will exceed all your expectations.

Destinations...

Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington    Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Mt. Hood National Forest; White Salmon Wild & Scenic River; Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve; Yakama Tribal Lands and Mt. Adams Wilderness Area; Klickitat River; Timberline Lodge, U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Highlights...

• Cruise the Columbia River on a classic paddlewheel boat
• Float protected rivers and hike through old-growth forest in search of hidden waterfalls
• Survey the Cascades from the flanks of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams
• Enjoy the Adventure of a Class IV Whitewater Raft Trip
• Camp Under the Stars at our River, Mountain, and Trout Lake Camps
• Visit Three Ecosystems in the Company of Knowledgeable Instructors
• Combine Two of the Northwest's Most Famous Lodges

Course Description...

Day One – Begin your trip in Portland, Oregon. Travel a scenic highway into the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Hear the stories behind the sights.  Board the Sternwheeler for dinner and cruise on the Columbia River.  Learn about the region’s natural history, view native American cultural sites, and retrace a section of river traveled by the Lewis and Clark expedition.  Premium lodging at the famous Skamania Lodge.

Day Two - Set out for some backcountry hiking in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area searching out hidden waterfalls and panoramic views of this fabled natural wonder.  Arrive Trout Lake base camp for program orientation, and wilderness travel class.  Evening program includes an introduction to kayak paddling.  Camp at our Trout Lake basecamp beneath towering Mt. Adams – your home for the next two nights.

Day Three – Bicycle to the headquarters of Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  Join National Forest staff and rangers for an orientation, then set off for our service-learning project working alongside AmeriCorps members.  Help  maintain the Pacific Crest Trail or restore critical habitat at the Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve, home of an endangered species known as the Oregon Spotted Frog.  Local evening entertainment and dinner at a historic country inn. 

Day Four and Five – Set out on an overnight raft trip and float down the Klickitat River.  Instruction will focus on river safety, rigging boats, river navigation, and paddling skills.  Try your hand on the oars while receiving individualized instruction.  You’ll be surprised at your new found abilities.  Overnight camping will feature Dutch oven delights and camp cooking skills.  Overnight at our comfortable riverside camp enjoying music and fun.

Day Six and Seven – On this two day adventure, shoulder your backpack up a mountainside trail. Hike alongside a glacial moraine to our remote timberline camp on the flank of 12,276'  Mt. Adams.  Try glissading on snow patches. Scan for mountain goats and capture stunning photographs of dramatic mountain landscapes.  Hear the stories behind the sights of intrepid mountaineers, early miners and explorers. Learn about cooking gourmet meals and no-trace camping at our Mountain Camp. On day seven retreat down in elevation to a pristine lakeside camp and enjoy exploring the lakeshore and coves while paddling inflatable kayaks.  Overnight at lakeside campground.

Day Eight and Nine  This day features a world class whitewater raft trip.  Your instructors will teach you how to paddle as a team.  You’ll learn to paddle together as a boat team and steer through the rapids and canyon walls of the famed, wild and scenic White Salmon River. The excitement doesn’t wear off very fast as this experience tends to get the adrenaline going. To relax we’ll embark on a country drive to Mt. Hood.  You’ll discover the icon of the region and premium lodging at the world famous, historic Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood – hand crafted by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the late 1930’s.  Within this architectural national treasure we’ll have our festive farewell dinner, special announcements and receive course completion certificates.  The next morning we travel to Portland, Oregon airport to catch flights back home.

Registration Information

Dates and Fees:  Call for your custom date • 9 Days / 8 Nights 
Tuition:   Call for Tuition Cost   Tuition Includes:  All accommodations; transportation and meals; instruction; pre and post course preparation/communication; permits and entry fees; equipment and gear; airport transfers.
Not Included:  Air transportation to Portland, Oregon; travel insurance; applicable Washington State 7% sales tax, pocket cash for items of a personal nature (souvenirs, hats, shirts, toiletries, etc.).
Start and End Location:  Portland, Oregon, USA

Important Notice:  Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive in Portland, Oregon for your course. This may require departing your hometown or country one or more days in advance and possibly traveling on an overnight flight.  Please consult our admissions office for air travel recommendations.

We look forward to having you join us on this course

—an experience of a lifetime!

Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Enrollment Application

Pacific Northwest Summer Camp, Pacific Northwest Program Summer, Pacific Northwest Summer Camps, Pacific Northwest Teen Tours