Get Started:

Thanks for your interest in going on a 2025 Wild Grief Teen Backpack! Please read below to learn our application process. You can let us know on this quick form if you are interested but don’t have time to read the below information now. 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 21st-Sunday, August 24th

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

  • Sunday, July 20th

Application deadline:

Sunday, June 15th. 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. 

Want to learn more? Read the FAQs and watch our video.

How to Apply: 

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

2. 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.

3. 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