After you apply, you'll receive an email confirming that Ascend received your application. This does not mean your child has been confirmed for a trip.

We generally aim to confirm youth trip participants by May 25. Because space is limited and groups are carefully put together, submitting an application does not guarantee participation.

If you haven't received an application confirmation or trip-status update when expected, please contact Ascend.

We often receive more applications than we have available spaces, so creating youth trip groups can be a challenging process. Several factors are considered, including:

• Wilderness permit and group-size limits
• Creating groups with youth from different schools and backgrounds
• Giving youth who haven't participated with Ascend before an opportunity to attend
• The participant's interest and willingness to take part in a physically challenging backpacking experience
• Attendance at required orientation and pre-trip meetings
• Providing opportunities to as many families as possible

Submitting an application does not guarantee a place on a trip.

You're welcome to tell us if your child is applying with a friend, and we'll take that information into consideration. However, we can't guarantee that friends will be placed on the same trip.

Ascend intentionally creates groups that give youth opportunities to meet new people. We've found that this can help build group cohesion and reduce cliques.

Don't give up! Trip availability changes throughout the season, and spaces sometimes open unexpectedly.

Applications received by the published deadline receive priority, but we encourage families to apply or join the waitlist even after the deadline. Waitlisted youth may be contacted if space becomes available, including for last-minute openings.

You can also contact Ascend to ask about current openings.

Possibly. When multiple youth from the same family apply, Ascend may initially offer a spot to only one child so we can serve more families.

If that happens, the other sibling may remain on the waitlist and receive increased consideration for a future program.

No. Previous backpacking experience is not required.

However, backpacking is physically and mentally challenging. Youth should be interested in participating and willing to hike, carry gear, camp outdoors, and work as part of a group.

If your child is new to backpacking, hiking and other physical activities before the trip can help them feel more prepared.

That's worth talking through before applying. Ascend plans age-appropriate trips and supports youth throughout the experience, but participants should want to attend and be willing to take on the challenge.

A youth who strongly does not want to participate can have a difficult experience and can affect the rest of the group. If your child is unsure, we recommend trying some day hikes, carrying a small backpack, and talking with them about what several days in the wilderness will be like.

If you're still unsure whether an Ascend trip would be a good fit, contact us—we're happy to talk through what the experience involves.

Teen Internship applications are accepted from April 1 through May 15. Applications received during this window are evaluated equally — selection is not first-come, first-served.

Applications submitted after May 15 are still welcome and will be placed on the waitlist. Openings sometimes remain or become available close to a trip, so we encourage interested teens to apply even after the regular deadline.

Early-career individuals ages 18–21 are also welcome to apply.

Ascend waits until the May 15 application deadline before reviewing the full applicant pool.

The review process generally takes 1–2 weeks. We know families are planning their summers, so we make internship confirmations a priority once the application period closes.

We typically receive more applications than we have available internship positions, so several factors are considered when building each group:

• Wilderness permit and group-size limits
• Creating a diverse group of participants from different backgrounds and locations
• Providing opportunities to teens who haven't participated in Ascend programs before
• The teen's ability to attend required orientation and pre-trip pack meetings
• The quality and thoughtfulness of the application
• Genuine interest in the internship and how it may connect with future education or career goals

Very important. We encourage teens to approach the internship application like a real job application.

Teen Internships are increasingly popular, and a thoughtful, complete application can strengthen your chances of placement. Take time with your responses and clearly explain why you're interested in the opportunity and what you hope to gain from it.

Yes. Teens are welcome to apply for multiple internship trips that interest them.

If space allows, we'll do our best to accommodate participation in more than one opportunity. However, because we usually receive more applications than available positions, multiple placements cannot be guaranteed.

Stay interested! Plans frequently change between May and July, and waitlisted teens often have opportunities to participate when spaces become available.

Applications received after the May 15 deadline are also placed on the waitlist, so it's still worth applying even if the regular application period has passed.

Pack meetings are an important part of preparing for youth and teen trips. They are much more than a gear check - they give participants, families, and guides a chance to prepare together before heading into the backcountry.

These meetings help us identify gear problems, distribute group equipment and food, review expectations, answer questions, and make sure participants feel physically and mentally prepared for the experience.

During the pack meeting, Ascend staff and guides review participant gear, fit backpacks and other equipment, distribute shared food and group gear, and talk through what participants can expect on the trip.

It is also a chance to discuss camp responsibilities, hiking expectations, teamwork, respect for others, and how everyone contributes to the group.

Guides will check essential items such as footwear, rain layers, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other trip-specific equipment.

Proper fit matters. Boots that are too small or an incorrectly fitted backpack can quickly make a trip uncomfortable or unsafe. The pack meeting gives us time to identify problems and make adjustments before everyone reaches the trailhead.

It is also much easier to discover a missing item at the pack meeting than several miles into the wilderness.

Backpacking is a team effort. Participants generally carry a portion of the group's shared food and equipment in addition to their personal belongings.

At the pack meeting, guides divide items such as food, tents, cookware, and other group equipment so the load can be distributed as fairly and appropriately as possible.

Carrying shared gear also helps participants understand that everyone contributes to the success of the group.

Yes. Pack meetings give participants and families an opportunity to meet the guides who will be leading the trip.

Families can ask questions or share concerns, while guides have a chance to get to know participants and better understand individual needs before heading into the wilderness.

Establishing that relationship ahead of time helps create trust, clear communication, and a more comfortable start to the trip.

Backpacking can be physically and mentally challenging, especially for someone who has never spent several days in the backcountry.

Before the trip, we encourage participants to stay active, go on walks or hikes, and spend some time carrying a backpack if possible. You do not need to be an experienced backpacker, but arriving with some basic physical preparation can make the experience much more enjoyable.

It is also normal to feel nervous. Meeting the guides, seeing the gear, meeting other participants, and talking through the trip beforehand can help turn some of that uncertainty into excitement and confidence.

For many years, Ascend was able to offer youth backpacking programs at no cost to families. In 2026, due to funding challenges, program fees are being introduced for the first time.

Fees vary by program. Please refer to the current program application and trip information for the most up-to-date cost for the experience you're interested in.

Please apply anyway. Ascend is actively pursuing grants and other funding that may help reduce program costs for families.

Our goal is to keep these experiences accessible, and we don't want families to assume they shouldn't apply simply because the listed program fee may be difficult to afford.

If cost is a concern, contact Ascend so we can discuss the current options available.

Ascend maintains outdoor equipment to help participants safely and comfortably take part in our programs. Depending on the trip and participant's needs, this may include items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking boots, tents, cooking equipment, and other backcountry gear.

Gear needs are reviewed before the trip, particularly during the pack meeting, so staff and guides can make sure essential equipment fits properly and is appropriate for the trip.

Participants will receive a packing list for their specific program. Personal clothing and other individual items will generally need to be brought from home, while Ascend can help with specialized backpacking equipment when needed.

Please follow the packing list carefully and bring your gear to the required pack meeting. This gives us time to identify anything that is missing, doesn't fit properly, or isn't appropriate for the trip.

If you're unsure whether you have the right equipment, contact us rather than purchasing something specifically for an Ascend trip. We may already have what you need.

Food for Ascend backpacking trips is generally planned as part of the group experience. Participants may carry a portion of the shared food along with other group equipment.

During the pack meeting, guides divide food and shared equipment among participants so loads can be distributed fairly.

Please make sure Ascend is aware of any food allergies, dietary needs, or other relevant concerns before the trip so staff can plan appropriately.

Transportation arrangements vary depending on the program and trip. Confirmed participants will receive specific information about meeting locations, departure times, pickup arrangements, and transportation before the trip.

Please review your trip confirmation and pre-trip communications carefully, since logistical details may differ from one program to another.

If you have a transportation concern that could affect your ability to participate, contact Ascend as early as possible.

Stewardship is the hands-on work we do to care for wilderness trails and help keep them accessible for future visitors.

Ascend incorporates stewardship into our adult and all-ages programs. The type and difficulty of the work varies depending on the trip, the participants, and the length of the program.

Some projects are simple and introductory, while others involve more substantial trail maintenance in the backcountry.

No. Many people participate in Ascend stewardship projects with little or no previous trail-work experience.

Experienced staff and volunteers work alongside people who are learning, and participants are shown how to use tools and complete projects safely.

You are not expected to arrive as an expert. These programs are meant to be opportunities to learn, contribute, and gain hands-on experience.

Projects depend on the trip and may include:

• Brushing — cutting back vegetation that is growing into the trail
• Log-outs — clearing fallen trees that block the trail, sometimes using crosscut saws
• Treadwork — maintaining or reshaping the walking surface of the trail and clearing debris

All-ages and introductory trips generally include lighter projects, while adult-only and backcountry trips may involve more substantial trail work.

Ascend provides the tools, safety instruction, and protective equipment needed for stewardship projects. This may include gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, and specialized trail tools.

Stewardship projects are led by experienced Ascend Wilderness Trails staff, and many trips also include Forest Service personnel.

Guides carry first-aid supplies and emergency communication devices while working in remote areas.

It depends on the program.

Multi-generational and all-ages trips are designed to accommodate a wide range of experience levels and generally involve lighter stewardship activities.

Adult day trips and weekend programs may include longer hiking distances and more involved trail work. Adult backcountry stewardship trips are the most physically demanding and require participants to commit to several days of hiking and trail work.

Even on more challenging trips, previous trail-work experience is not required. Participants should, however, be prepared for the physical demands described in the specific trip information.

Ascend's Volunteer Learning Center has the most comprehensive information about volunteer opportunities, expectations, training, and ways to get involved.

You can also contact Ascend if you're unsure which opportunity would be the best fit for your experience, interests, or comfort level.