Back to Earth
Connecting young people to themselves and the natural world
Young people are scrolling their lives away.
"I'm scrolling my life away. Everything I see online tells me I should be way further along. And instead all I'm doing is sitting here scrolling, and I hate myself about it."
We hear the same thing from all of them:
"I want to feel passionate and connected and zesty for life."
That feeling — I know why I'm alive, I love being alive — that's the work. Everything we do is built to get them there.
Pillars of Our Practice
What
Guides Us
Four practices rooted in the wisdom of the old ways. Select each to go deeper.
Gratitude
We begin every day with a thanksgiving address a practice of acknowledging the gifts of life: the water, the sun, the earth, the medicines, the animals, and each other. Gratitude is not a feeling to wait for; it is a practice to return to.
Our original instructions as humans are to honor all elements of creation with gratitude. This remembrance helps us recognize that our lives are deeply tied to the earth and its gifts.
Gratitude is often the first step toward reconnecting with ourselves and beginning the work of healing the world. Whether it's a shared thanksgiving circle, a moment of awe on the trail, or a quiet thank you whispered into the wind, we seek to build a culture where gratitude moves freely and inspires care for the planet.
Joy
"Wildness and joy are not opposites of seriousness — they are the ground it grows from."
Joy is a vital expression of our humanity and one of the most generous offerings we can share with each other and the world.
We teach that joy lives in challenge and movement, in moments of wildness, in seeing the familiar with new eyes, and in welcoming the unknown. Singing, dancing, swimming, and play are not distractions but central to how we reconnect with what matters. When we nurture joy, we strengthen our vitality and deepen our sense of belonging to each other and to the earth.
Honesty
"Real connection is only possible where truth has been spoken."
Honesty is a cornerstone of our way of life. Being honest with ourselves cultivates accountability; being honest with others creates the conditions for real connection.
When we speak truthfully, we not only honor our own integrity but also create space for others to do the same. In this way, honesty becomes a powerful tool for building trust, clearing confusion, and supporting communities rooted in care and resilience.
Awareness
"Slow down. The answers you need are already inside you — waiting to be noticed."
A meaningful life begins with the choice to pay attention — especially to what lives within us.
Though often overlooked in the rush of modern life, a rich inner world is part of our birthright. We encourage practices that help individuals tune in to their emotions, reflect with purpose, and move through life with intention. As we grow in self-awareness, we become more capable of making choices that sustain both ourselves and the natural world we're a part of.
What We Offer
Our Programs
Our Impact
Transforming Lives Through Nature
4,000+
Young People Served
12+
Years in the Field
$250k+
Awarded in Scholarships
98%
Report High Sense of Meaning
"My son is learning the source of truest strength — the courage to be open and to connect."
— Jennifer, WILD Parent
Flagship Program
The WILD Program
A wilderness-based adventure learning and rites of passage program for teenage boys in the Sierra Nevada — founded 2015. Based in the same mountains our founders grew up exploring.
"Not only did he gain backpacking experience, he went through an incredible spiritual and emotional transformation as well."
— Sevgi, WILD Parent
12
2026 Trips
13
Avg Group
13–18
Age Range
Equity & Access
Every teen deserves
the wild.
The WILD Scholars Program is a full-scholarship, wraparound mentorship program for Bay Area high school students from communities historically underrepresented in wilderness education. No costs to families — ever.
54
Scholars in 2026
$140k+
Tuition Aid
Stay close to
the Earth.
Join the Back to Earth community — thousands of young people, families, and educators who have found their way back to what matters.