How can I make friends with them?

I was always very shy and now at age 40 finally I have learned to deal with it. You have to learn that this is your life and you have to make it what you want it to be. If you want to be friends with this group go with them, listen to the conversations and listen for a topic you can jump in on once you start talking you will find that it is easier to make friends and keep them, because you will become a friend of theirs too.

Hi LawRaJayne
This is your chance to make some connections then :)
Firstly If you are shy, dont feel that you need to be loud and in peoples faces. Just be yourself.
Ask questions about the people you are with. People love to be asked things about themselves (theyr all self centred really) so that would be a goood idea to get a conversation going.
Secondly, just 'go with the flow'. Try not to let this experience get to you too much. Just treat it as a bit of an adventure :)
I hope it all goes well!

Don't worry so much about them, but how YOU feel about it... Do you want to hang out with them? Do you want to go on this trip? If you do or if you don't, it shouldn't really matter what they think about you... And in agreeing with previous comments, just be yourself if you do decide to go... Just going though might be good for you, I know that you're in the same situation I am where you don't really want to get out of the house because of pain and fear... It might help to take your mind off things, despite your insecurities... Who knows, you may find out something good about yourself or find a new experience that you like...

Whatever friendships you gonna make have to start somewhere, so i guess you gonna have to take risks in order for the friendship to start. You have nothing to loose an a lot to gain.

Have been shy my whole life so i no how hard it is to talk to people. I still find it hard to hold a converstion.

(also see JulySunSoul)

i'm guessing that something about these people has piqued your interest, no? this is a great opportunity to converge on the same interests... talk about things that interest your new friends... keep it light... relaxed smiles... try to have fun above all else!!!

For amoment, lets assyme the worst. If you were not to connect with any of the people in the group, is this trip the sort of place you would go on your own? If you would find it interesting or entertaining, then go, If you would be bored spitless, why would you want to go even with them?

Mommyof9 has some very sound advice. I'd like to add a tad though - People like to be listened to, so shy folks are actually well thought of. Listen, pipe in a bit to let them know you were listening. Later, ask questions about their topics so that they will do all the talking but appreciate that you know them.

You gotta ask yourself: Would you feel comfortable talking freely with them? Would you be able to be yourself around them? Do you think you share the same interests?
If you answered no to any of these questions then my advice is to rethink your decision to go on this trip with them. You can always just say no, and if they don't like it then that's their problem. Good luck! :)