From Coast to Cascades, discover the Pacific Northwest like never before.
Experience the best of the Pacific Northwest on this remarkable journey through Oregon and Washington! We’ll head first to the hiker’s paradise of Mt. Rainier to catch some stunning views of the glacier-capped volcano. After hiking along some of the most beautiful peaks in the Western U.S., we’ll travel to the Columbia River Gorge to paddle on the crystal clear waters of the White Salmon River with expert river guides. Next, we’ll travel to Oregon’s world-famous Smith Rock State Park where we’ll learn to rock climb among stunning views of the high desert canyon. We’ll take our paddling skills back to the river as we head to the ruggedly beautiful Deschutes River for an overnight raft trip. We’ll wrap up our adventure waving to seals and surfing on the Oregon Coast, catching waves at iconic Cannon Beach!
Length
Grades
(As of Current
School Year)
Departure Day
Return Day
Depart / Arrive Airport
Price
Session I
8-10
28/06/202720/07/2027
15/07/202705/08/2027
Seattle, WA (SEA) / Portland, OR (PDX)
$5,788
Grades
(As of Current
School Year)
Departure Day
Return Day
Depart / Arrive Airport
Price
Session I
Session I
Download the Sample Itinerary
Curious what a Bold Earth Pacific Northwest trip looks like? Download a sample itinerary to get a feel for the types of activities, destinations, and experiences your adventure may include. Every trip is a little different — that’s part of the magic — but this will give you a great sense of what’s in store!
What You'll
experience
SERVICE
HIGH DESERT
RAFTING
DESCHUTES RIVER
CLIMB & HIKE
SMITH ROCK STATE PARK
CATCH WAVES
CANNON BEACH
TACKLE THE WHITE SALMON RIVER
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
HIKE
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE
HIGH DESERT
RAFTING
DESCHUTES RIVER
Raft overnight with class III-IV rapids and river beaches
Embark on an unforgettable multi-day rafting expedition through Oregon’s iconic Deschutes River. Start with beginner-friendly rapids and work up to thrilling class III–IV waves as you paddle through stunning desert canyons. Spend nights camping on sandy riverbanks, hiking around camp, and stargazing with your expert rafting guides.
CLIMB & HIKE
SMITH ROCK STATE PARK
Explore underground passages in a unique lava tube
Get your adrenaline pumping at Smith Rock State Park, an international climbing destination famous for formations like Monkey Face. Then, hike the trails surrounding the Cascade Mountains, taking in panoramic views of the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor. You’ll also venture underground into the Lava River Cave, a rare geological wonder that stays a brisk 42°F even in summer!
CATCH WAVES
CANNON BEACH
Learn to surf and practice your pop-up at Cannon Beach
Head west to the legendary Oregon Coast for surf lessons on one of the state’s most beautiful beaches. Learn ocean safety, balance, and surf etiquette as you ride waves with professional instructors. Between sessions, relax with beach yoga, stroll along Cannon Beach, and marvel at the famous Haystack Rock rising from the sea.
TACKLE THE WHITE SALMON RIVER
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Paddle crystal clear waters through basalt canyons
Journey through the lush forests of the Columbia River Gorge to raft one of the Pacific Northwest’s most thrilling rivers. The White Salmon flows straight from Mt. Adams’ glaciers, carving through basalt canyons and offering exhilarating rapids. With professional guides leading the way, this adventure blends heart-pounding excitement with breathtaking natural beauty.
HIKE
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Hike near waterfalls and meadows full of wildflowers
Conclude your Pacific Northwest adventure surrounded by the alpine beauty of Mt. Rainier. Hike through meadows bursting with wildflowers, past cascading waterfalls, and beneath towering evergreens like Douglas firs and red cedars. Celebrate your journey with awe-inspiring mountain views and moments of reflection among the clouds.
Everything You Need for Adventure
Preparing for your child’s adventure is an exciting journey! We’ve compiled all the essential information you need to ensure a smooth experience. From paperwork to packing tips, we’re here to help every step of the way.
- All meals and camping accommodations (17 nights)
- Professional instruction for all activities
- Technical gear and equipment
- Transportation during the trip
- Experienced Bold Earth trip leaders
- Entry fees to all parks and attractions
- Personal clothing and toiletries
- Sleeping bag and personal camping gear
- Travel to/from Pacific Northwest (flights not included)
All campgrounds feature running water and bathroom facilities. Bold Earth provides comfortable 4-person tents.
Getting ready for your adventure is part of the excitement! Join a Bold Earth summer director in the spring for a webinar about preparing for our domestic trips. Your Trip Leader will call you two days prior to departure to help you feel confident and prepared for your Bold Earth experience.
You’ll receive a comprehensive preparation information that includes:
- Detailed packing lists specific to Pacific Northwest’s varied climates
- Physical preparation recommendations to get the most out of your adventure
- Travel information and arrival/departure logistics
- What to expect on your first day and throughout the trip
- Tips for going tech-free and making the most of your unplugged experience
Our goal is to make sure you feel excited and ready to dive into 18 days of epic Pacific Northwest adventure with your new Bold Earth crew!
...What Past Adventurers Say
“An incredible Summer camp: amazing organisation with skilled, kind, enthusiastic and thoughtful trip leaders in wonderful landscapes”
What Past Adventurers Say
“The Bold Earth experience was like feeding my teen's confidence a super vitamin! It was the perfect way to provide her with adventure, fun, friendships, and autonomy in a way that allowed us as parents to feel safe and secure in letting her go. The experiences she had are unmatched, and her trip with Bold Earth has ignited a fire within her for travel and adventure that will help drive and shape the course of her life. We are so thankful for Bold Earth and the experience they provided! “
What Past Adventurers Say
“Bold Earth is, in my opinion, the very best in the industry in creating adventure programs for teens. They have a team of enthusiastic, caring leaders that are superb role models and guides. The digital break combined with challenging and varied experiences (rock climbing was the favorite for my son!) with peers to cheer you on are invaluable in todays world. Friendships formed during this brief time are forged deeply and the memories are cherished. I can't recommend Bold Earth highly enough!”
FAQS
Find answers to your questions about our adventure programs and get ready for an amazing experience!
What's the physical fitness requirement?
Bold Earth is designed as an active camp for teenagers. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to participate, but we do recommend regular aerobic exercise for at least a month before your trip to get the most out of your Bold Earth experience. Walking, jogging, swimming, or riding a bike are all great ways to prepare for your summer adventure!
What gear do I need to bring?
All technical equipment is provided. You’ll find a complete packing list specific to this adventure in your enrollment materials.
What about weather and seasons?
One of the best parts of our Pacific Northwest trip is that we are going to visit a wide variety of landscapes; mountains, the coast and the high desert. To do this we will have to be prepared for sun, rain, hot days, cold nights and everything in between. Our Pacific Northwest trip can have varying day and nighttime temperatures ranging from 30°F to 98°F.
What are the arrival and departure windows for this trip?
For session I of Pacific Northwest Adventure trip, students will fly into Seattle International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, Washington and depart from Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon. They will need to arrive at SEA between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the first day of their trip, and depart PDX between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the last day of their trip.
For session II of Pacific Northwest Adventure trip, students will fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon, and depart from Seattle International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, Washington. They will need to arrive at PDX between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the first day of their trip, and depart SEA between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the last day of their trip.
Our trip leaders will be awaiting each of our students’ arrivals at the airport. As per airline regulations, we greet every student who flies as an unaccompanied minor at the gate. For all other, non-UM students, please follow your group off the plane down to baggage claim, where one or both of our trip leaders will be waiting. Students will call home as soon as they meet with our group and gather their baggage.
Please do not book flights until your child has been officially accepted and enrolled on their PNW trip and you’ve received the detailed travel guidelines.










Explore More Adventures
Looking for longer or gap programs? Check out our sister program, ARCC Programs
time to be bold
Your Pacific Northwest Adventure Awaits
We’re excited to welcome you into the Bold Earth community! Questions about the Pacific Northwest programs? Call us at (828) 435-3971 or email info@boldearth.com. You can also join one of our Info Sessions to learn more about what makes our adventures special.
Ready to apply? Complete our enrollment form to secure your spot on this incredible PNW adventure.