Truckee, CA, USA
Bright mornings, lively afternoons, and tranquil evenings describe the quintessential experience at White Stag Sierra Leadership Camp. Set within the majestic Sierra Nevada Tahoe National Forest, this camp provides the perfect canvas for your child to paint their own adventures. With an emphasis on animals, nature, leadership, and mentoring, this camp caters to youngsters aged 11-17. The camp’s strength lies in its youth-led program, where a committed cadre of parent and alumni volunteers provides guidance.
These volunteers create an environment that encourages children to take the reins, fostering not only independent thought but also teamwork. Three distinct camp programs, each tailored to a different age group, ensure that your child's experience is as enriching as possible. Each program artfully blends outdoor activities with leadership skills relevant to the age group. The immersive, outdoor environment serves as the perfect stage for your child to learn, grow, and bloom. Children soon discover the joy of working together, the thrill of overcoming challenges, and the satisfaction of achieving shared goals.
The camp offers the opportunity to make friends, forge bonds, and create memories that will last a lifetime. At White Stag Sierra Leadership Camp, the emphasis is not just on having fun, but learning, growing, and leading in a setting that brings a smile to every face. It's a place where your child can marvel at the wonders of nature, learn to lead, and create unforgettable memories, making it a perfect spot for a summer of exploration, adventure, and growth.
| Ages: | 11–17 |
| Type: | Overnight |
| Month: | Summer |
| Lodging: | Cabin |
| Setting: | Forest, Lake, Mountains |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Water Activities: | Water Activities, Canoeing, Swimming |
| Adventure: | Adventure, Challenge, Rock Climbing, Ropes Course, Nature & Exploration, Backpacking, Hiking |
| Academics: | Academics, Science, Animal Science, Career, Leadership |
| Dates | Days | Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.07.26 - 11.07.26 | 7 | $700 |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
Cabin-style lodging in back-country camp settings supports the leadership-by-design model. Campers live in teams (patrols) with adult and youth staff; accommodation is rustic but safe, emphasising community, responsibility and outdoor living. While the camp operates under high-adventure conditions, stable shelter, meals and group supervision ensure a restful and supportive nightly base for each camper’s growth.
Safety is integral to White Stag’s program. All adult and youth staff undergo screening and training. Activities such as ropes courses, climbing, canoeing and overnight hikes follow clearly defined supervision rules and protocols. Medical facilities and procedures are described for remote terrain conditions. With limited enrollment (only about 120 candidates per session) the staff-to-camper ratio remains strong and campers are known by name, enabling better oversight and genuine care.
White Stag operates a dedicated on-site medical clinic, staffed by a licensed nurse or an EMT trained in outdoor conditions. Minor injuries, illness and medication needs are managed in camp; serious care is supported via a nearby hospital 21 miles away. Parents are required to submit complete medical and allergy information before arrival so staff can provide safe, effective care in both daily and emergency situations.
Traditions are a core part of White Stag’s experience. From the opening ceremony to the closing “graduation” of patrols, the camp emphasises ritual, team identity and reflection. Evenings around campfires, songfests, cheers, and inter-patrol games reinforce team bonds and leadership culture. The co-ed patrol structure, outdoor cooking, and back-country expeditions, along with the “direct learning” approach, give returning campers a sense of legacy and new campers an instantly immersive community.
The Activities Program at White Stag Sierra is structured to combine physical challenge, team dynamics, and leadership development. Each day involves a mix of outdoor adventure (hiking, climbing, canoeing) and structured leadership tasks (planning, evaluation, patrol management). Campers rotate through phases tailored to their age group, constantly reflecting on what they’ve learned—not just how far they hiked — but how they led, helped others, solved problems, and contributed. Evening gatherings reinforce the learning through songs, cheers and sharing. The result is a growth-oriented week of fun, teamwork, and transformation.
The camp emphasises limited enrollment and early application — spaces fill quickly.
