Get Started:

Thanks for your interest in going on a 2025 Wild Grief Teen Backpack! Please read below to learn our application process. We know this is a lot of information. If you want to talk to a person for support through the process, reach out via phone call, text, or email. 

2025 Backpacking Trip Dates:

  • Trip 1: Thursday, July 31st-Sunday, August 3rd

  • Trip 2: Thursday, August 14th-Sunday, August 17th

  • Trip 3: Thursday, August 21st-Sunday, August 24th

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

  • Sunday, July 20th

Application deadline:

Sunday, June 1st. 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. 

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. 

2. Learn more about the hike by reading the FAQs and watching the video. 

3. Attend an info session. Sign up to attend an info session here.

4. Fill out the applications. Not ready to fill them out today? Fill out our Program Interest Form and we will follow up. 

5. 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):

1. 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. 

2. 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