Wren is a 14-year-old girl originally from San Francisco whose family recently moved to Orange County. Struggling with isolation and resentment after the move, she falls into substance abuse and defiant behavior. She is fiercely independent and determined, though she currently directs her energy toward rebellion. At camp, she starts as a beginner-level "Rabbit" and initially refuses to cooperate with anyone.

Lydia is Wren's mother, who resorts to sending her youngest daughter to a wilderness therapy camp in Utah after other interventions fail. She communicates her disappointment through typed letters, which Wren interprets as detached and impersonal. Lydia shares a closer, more harmonious connection with her older daughter, Annabella.

Meadow is an older girl who befriends a lonely Wren after the Clemmens family moves to a new city. She introduces the younger girl to marijuana and shoplifting, using peer pressure and manipulation to maintain control. She is highly calculating, adjusting her appearance to win over Wren's parents while quietly exploiting her friend.

Hannah is a 16-year-old camper who belongs to the Grizzly Girls. Sent to the program by her father after struggling with heroin addiction, she has endured significant trauma in her young life. She is patient and kind, offering Wren a glimpse of what genuine, supportive friendship looks like in the desert environment.

Morris is Wren's father, whose relocation of the family to Los Angeles acts as the catalyst for their changing dynamics. Preoccupied with his new job, he struggles to manage Wren's escalating behavioral problems and ultimately supports the decision to send her away. He holds an appreciation for the outdoors, having camped as a child.

Annabella is Wren's older sister. Smart, popular, and socially successful, she easily adapts to the family's move to Orange County, making new friends quickly. She is suspicious of Wren's destructive habits and tries to warn their parents about her behavior, which Wren views as nagging interference.

Mo is Wren's younger brother. Unlike the rest of her family, Mo maintains a strong, affectionate bond with Wren, who often comforts him with stories when he wakes up crying. He represents a source of positive responsibility for his troubled sister.

Nico is a senior high school student who catches Wren's attention. He engages in illegal activities and uses hard drugs, representing a dangerous escalation in Wren's thrill-seeking behavior. He is dismissive of Wren's young age but appreciates her willingness to impress him.

Michelle is a field counselor for the Grizzly Girls at the wilderness therapy camp. She is firm but compassionate, establishing boundaries for the campers while encouraging them to develop independence and survival skills. She frequently challenges Wren to figure things out for herself rather than offering immediate rescues.

John is a field counselor at the wilderness therapy program. He enforces the camp's strict rules, including a ban on profanity, and teaches the new arrivals how to assemble their tarpaulin packs. He maintains a calm, disciplined presence among the campers.

Dax is an 18-year-old adjudicated teen assigned to the "Snakes" group at the wilderness camp. He frequently antagonizes Wren by mocking her name during their shared transport. He struggles with the camp's strict environment and constantly looks for an exit.

Silver Hawk is Mokov's grandson and a driver for the wilderness therapy program. He is an extremely good-looking young man who coordinates supply drops for the campers at various checkpoints in the desert.

Dvorka is a camp counselor who takes a direct but encouraging approach with the new arrivals. She helps Wren locate a water source in the desert, becoming the first person to frame the young girl's stubborn willfulness as a positive survival trait.

Mokov is an older man of Paiute heritage who regularly visits the wilderness camp. He serves as a spiritual presence, telling the girls cultural legends around the fire and advising them to let go of their anger.

Tara is the visiting therapist for the wilderness program. She coordinates group sessions and individual evaluations, pressing the girls to process their emotions and write letters home. Her direct approach initially triggers Wren's deep distrust of the therapeutic process.

Jude is a staff member at the camp who assists with the daily operations and hikes. He struggles with the physical demands of the desert environment during an intense trek and eventually requires medical attention.

Mia is a 17-year-old camper who has faced severe abandonment and abuse. Despite her traumatic background, she has embraced the camp's routine and found a sense of normalcy in the desert. She encourages Wren to respect the counselors and adapt to the wilderness lifestyle.

Shalayne is a camper in the wilderness therapy program whose parents' bitter divorce pushed her toward rebellion. She experiences the grueling physical demands of the desert hikes alongside the other girls, occasionally giving voice to the group's exhaustion.

Joel is the police officer tasked with legally transporting Wren from her home to the airport. He maintains a strictly professional and detached demeanor, ignoring her questions while ensuring she safely reaches the transport team.

Sam "Biggy" Biggs is Nico's friend and associate in the older high school crowd. He participates in dangerous, illicit activities and is impressed by Wren's willingness to rebel against her family.

Nash is a staff member for the wilderness therapy program who assists with transporting adjudicated teens. He handles Dax's transfer to the Snakes group while the other counselors manage Wren.