Teens backpacking without adults
My teenagers would like to go backpacking, by themselves. They are experienced campers, with backpacking as well, and know and practice Leave No Trace. But, they have always been with adults and groups. This idea makes me nervous in a lot of ways (they are 15 and 13) but there is also much I love about it, including that they came up with it completely on their own, and it's not always easy to get them to do things together. I've asked them to come up with a plan and told them that the plan needs to start small, assure me that they can keep themselves safe, and impose reasonable transportation obligations on me. Any advice from fellow backpacking enthusiasts? I thought about having them start with a car camping site, but, honestly, I kind of feel better about the idea of them alone in the backcountry than alone in a campground. One problem they have already run into: They wanted to go to Pt. Reyes, but read that you have to be 18+ to get a permit. Might this turn out not to be possible at all? They will get some camping and backpacking with family and groups this summer - but that does not satisfy their wish to go out on their own.
[Moderator Note] Here's a similar question from a few years ago: "16 year olds backpacking in the Sierras"
https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/advice/teens/trips
Parent Replies
15 and 13 seems a little young for this. Usually the Backpack with just other teens starts in Junior year (16). Is there a place your family is very familiar with? My teen went backpacking with friends, but it was towards the end of high school. Parents drove them to the trailhead and home, which won't be an issue with younger teens.
I think that's too young. They'll likely be fine as long as everything goes well, but be in completely over their heads as soon as something goes wrong. I'd want them at a minimum to be certified in wilderness first aid which they can only do once they are 16. And even then I think I'd want an adult with them.
I'd look into the various programs that exist that take teenagers backpacking (although the 13 year old might be too young for most of them).
Our son has gone on weeklong backpacking trips in the Sierra with us every summer since he was 6 years old. Even now at 16 there is no way I'd let him go without an adult.
Backpacking mama
Reading this made me nervous as a mom, but I also recall doing kids-only camping with my friends in my own youth although I was a little older (16). It was part of scouts and was one of the requirements to earn a badge. We did a 4 day / 3 night trek that included hiking, canoeing, working our way through mud carrying canoes, showering under waterfalls, and of course sleeping out and cooking over campfires. It was a whole crazy adventure that I adored and will never forget. This of course was years before cell phones and other things that make it safer today. 13 is a little young but kids vary in their maturity. At the right age if your kids want to do it I think it would be an unforgettable adventure for them.
They're just too young for this. I'm a fan of the basic idea too, and am English and we have a fabulous program teaching wilderness independence called the Duke of Edinborough (DofE). But in this program teens spend 2 years with friends learning how to manage themselves in groups of several teens to be in the wilderness alone. They need more prep and to take baby steps first. I don't believe you'll find it legal to drop them at ANY campground.
Options: Rent a cabin and have them camp on the property, out of sight but within a 5 min walk of you. Make them plan, pack and prepare EVERYTHING. Including food water and every last thing. NO HELP. Be extremely safe about fire. Seriously. Or, rent 2 campsites 5 mins walk apart in a large campsite and do all the above. DO NOT ASSIST and let them suffer when they forget important items. Forget the tent? too bad. They sleep outside. Forget important food? they go hungry for 1 night. Etc. Absolutely no parental reminders. Plus make them bring phones, but don't check up on them until an assigned time.
If they follow the rules as you lay them out and no troubles occur, do it again a few more times. And get them into scouting and outward bound, where this will be taught and give them lots of independence later.
I'd strongly advise you to wait. I've done a lot of backpacking and also worked in the backcountry and there are so many things that even adults struggle with. There are a lot of dangers, and if something goes wrong, which is not uncommon, it's not easy to get help and someone needs to know what to do. I'd wait till minimum 16, but frankly, even older. It's cool they want to go though!
Seems a little too young. What about sending them on a youth backpacking program such as Camp Woolman teen leadership camp. My son worked there - they go on fabulous 10 day backpacking trips with 2 young adult staff. he had wilderness first responder certification and there are planned evacuation points along the route where kids could be picked up in case of an emergency, water was all planned out, etc. There are a lot of other such programs but Woolman may be on the less expensive end and financial aid is available.
They are too young to go off on their own, even with their experience which is wonderful. In addition, no state park will allow them access alone unless they are 18 or with someone who is 18. A group of my daughter's friends found out about this the hard way and lost all their money. Take them camping and give them a camp site that is all their own, let them be responsible for all their belongings and food while there and give them freedom to wander the park area. They should check in once a day with you. Good luck and have fun!
I teach 13 year-olds (and parent a 3 year old). I take the 13 year olds camping every year and know that a small handful of them could handle a backpacking trip by themselves. I wouldn't leave them in a car campground though. The company is too unpredictable.
What about you car camping and them just doing a one-night trip out of your basecamp? If it goes well, then you can increase the amount of nights away for the next trip.
Alas, I don't know anything about permit age which is really at the heart of your question.