Adventure Starts Here!

Trek Wild – Backpacking Adventures for Girl Scouts
Ready to swap pavement for pine needles and carry everything you need on your back? Trek Wild offers Girl Scouts, leaders, and adult participants the skills and confidence to explore the wilderness—far from roads and everyday distractions.

Our progression for Junior/Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Girl Scouts takes you from first hikes to multi-night adventures in the stunning Sierra Mountains. Each year, we offer multiple opportunities in both our Northern region (near Monterey) and Southern region (near Camp Arnaz), with custom dates possible for troops with 5 or more participants (girls and adults). Girls may participate at any level without an accompanying adult.

Interested but not part of a troop? You can register as an independent Girl Scout and enroll in Trek Wild.

Step 1 – Wilderness Hiking Course (J/C/S/A)

Your first step into adventure.

This one-day course moves you beyond a casual hike to safe adventures on longer and more remote trails. Learn essential outdoor skills, safety practices, Leave No Trace ethics, and gear basics. Spend the morning in the classroom, assemble your Ten Essentials Kit (materials provided), then head into the woods to practice what you’ve learned. This course is recommended but not required for the next levels.

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Step 2 – Basic Backpacking Course (C/S/A)

Your first overnight on the trail.

Learn everything you need to prepare for overnight trips—including gear selection, clothing choices, and trip planning. Then put your skills into action with an overnight backpacking trip in local mountains. You’ll gain confidence, independence, and experience carrying everything you need for an adventure. This course is a prerequisite for Advanced Backpacking.

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Step 3 – Advanced Backpacking Program (C/S/A)

Multi-night wilderness adventures.

Tackle unforgettable trips to destinations like the Kaiser Wilderness or Dinkey Lakes in the Sierra National Forest. You’ll help plan the route, make group decisions, and sharpen advanced skills while surrounded by breathtaking scenery. These trips are about challenge, camaraderie, and the pure joy of being immersed in nature. You will earn an outdoor badge on this trip. Advanced trips are rated Easy, Medium, or Hard based on distance from trailhead, altitude, elevation gain, and miles hiked per day.

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Why Trek Wild?

Builds confidence, leadership, and independence in girls
Teaches skills for a lifetime of outdoor adventure
Offers a safe, supportive environment led by experienced guides
Creates memories that last forever
Girls can remain in their troop and obtain outdoor opportunities

Whether you’re taking your first hike or planning a Sierra expedition, Trek Wild will get you there—one step at a time.

Parent FAQs

Is this program safe? toggle arrow

Yes. Safety is our highest priority. All Trek Wild programs are led by trained and experienced outdoor instructors who are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. We follow Girl Scouts of the USA safety guidelines and maintain low participant-to-leader ratios. Routes are carefully chosen, and emergency plans are in place for every trip.

Does my child need previous outdoor experience? toggle arrow

No. Our program is designed as a progression. The Wilderness Hiking Course and Basic Backpacking are open to beginners and provides the skills needed to move on to Advanced Backpacking.

Will my child be carrying a heavy backpack? toggle arrow

Yes, but the weight is tailored to the participant’s size, ability, and experience. On overnight and multi-night trips, girls typically carry 20–25% of their body weight. We teach proper packing and adjustment techniques to make carrying comfortable and safe.

What gear will my child need? toggle arrow

For hiking courses, basic outdoor clothing, athletic shoes, and a daypack are sufficient. For backpacking trips, we provide detailed packing lists and can suggest affordable rental or borrowing options.

Can my child attend without me? toggle arrow

Yes. Girl Scouts may attend any Trek Wild level without a parent or troop leader. Adult participation is welcome but not required.

How are the trips supervised? toggle arrow

All activities are led by vetted and background-checked Girl Scout volunteers or staff with extensive outdoor leadership training. Leaders are present 24/7 on overnight trips.

Where do the trips take place? toggle arrow

Hiking Courses: Local trails in our Northern region (near Monterey,) Central region (near San Luis Obispo), or Southern region (near Camp Arnaz).
Basic Backpacking: Overnight trips in North Council are often in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in South Council are near Santa Barbara or Ojai.
Advanced Backpacking: Multi-night trips in the Sierra National Forest, such as Kaiser Wilderness or Dinkey Lakes.

How much does it cost? toggle arrow

Costs vary by program level and location. Fees cover permits and group equipment. Participants contribute toward food and gas. We strive to keep prices affordable and can recommend gear-sharing or rental options to reduce costs.

My child is not old enough yet but wants to do the program? toggle arrow

Because our program involves classroom time and requires carrying a heavy load, we recommend the courses to Cadettes and above. Interested Juniors can take Wilderness Hiking. This also meets the recommended Girl Scout progression. We also encourage adult leaders and volunteers to take the course(s) and bring the knowledge back to their troop. When the scouts are ready, they can enroll and the entire troop will be prepared for outdoor adventures.

In addition, girls of any age can take part in the Happy Trails Patch program, completing hikes on their own from a list to earn charms to chang on their Happy Trails Patch. Visit https://www.girlscoutsccc.org/en/discover/activities/council-own-patches.html and scroll to the Happy Trails Hiking Patch Program.

What will my child gain from this experience? toggle arrow

In addition to outdoor skills, your child will develop independence, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for nature—all in a supportive, all-girl environment.