Sawtooth Alpine Kids Camp

Kids learn climbing, hiking, and camping skills in the beautiful Sawtooths.

For adventurous kids, the mountains can be both playground and classroom – a place to learn confidence, teamwork, and self-reliance. SMG has been running mountain-based kids camps since 1985. The Sawtooths are a world-class climbing, camping, and hiking venue and by the end of this five-day program participants will receive an in depth, yet fun, introduction to these activities. Skills learned during the program will last a lifetime and set your child on a path towards an active and engaged lifestyle.

Lead by professional mountain guides, the camp will start and finish at Redfish Lake Lodge and will be based at our incredible Canyon Camp. A short 2.5 mile hike from the end of Redfish Lake, the camp is situated above Redfish Lake Creek on clean granite slabs with spectacular views across the valley to Mt. Heyburn. The camp is stocked with tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and kitchen gear. Kids only need to carry a medium-sized backpack with their personal gear and enough room for a one-night backpacking trip to Saddleback Lakes on the fourth night.

Activities include rock climbing, hiking, fishing, swimming, scrambling, map and compass work, and camp craft.

   Read a trip report and see photos from the 2016 Camp!

Day 1

  • Introductions and equipment check
  • Half-day climbing at the Redfish Boulder
  • Shuttle boat across Redfish Lake; camp at Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp

Day 2

  • Climb Lily Pond Crags and Tyrollean traverse across Redfish Lake Creek
  • Hike to Canyon Camp (about 2 hours)
  • Afternoon swimming, fishing, camp orientation, and camp craft

Day 3

  • Full-day Rock Climbing at the Super Slabs
  • Multi-pitch climbing on “The Central Groove” (six pitches, 1000 feet high!)
  • Weather alternate activity: hike to Alpine Lake

Day 4

  • Overnight Backpack to Saddleback Lakes
  • Break camp and pack up for 2 mile hike (steep!) to Saddleback Lakes beneath the Elephant’s Perch
  • Option to climb the Elephant’s Perch via non-technical route

Day 5

  • Pack up camp at Saddleback Lakes
  • Return to Redfish Lake Lodge by 3:00pm

 Difficulty: No experience required

 Age Range: 12-16 years old

 Duration: 4 days

 Meeting Time: 10am

 Meeting Location: SMG Office

 What We Provide:

  • Professional guides
  • All meals
  • Technical climbing equipment (harness, shoes, helmet, etc)
  • Camping equipment

 What You Need:

  • Backpack (approximately 50 liters capacity—SMG can provide if needed)
  • Clothing – synthetic quick-drying layers, insulating jacket, rain jacket, warm hat and gloves
  • Hiking boots/shoes and camp shoes (such as booties or sandals)
  • Water bottle (min. 1 liter)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries as necessary
  • Sunscreen, brimmed hat, and sunglasses
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Book/journal/camp games (Frisbee, hacky-sack, etc.)

 We are restructuring the Kids Camp for the summer of 2019 – we will have the dates and rates posted by mid-winter 2019.

 Dates: TBD

Ratio: 4:1 (3:1 for climbing)

 Rates: TBD