Student dynamics
A clearer view of the student group, grade, or culture challenge that needs attention.
Our Programs
Find Your Path Into the Wild
From summer backpacking expeditions to custom school programs and community gatherings, we create experiences where young people reconnect with what is wild and sacred in themselves and in the world.
Every young person deserves a place in the wild
Whatever shape it takes — a single day, a season, or a multi-year climb — the invitation is the same.
Choose Your Experience
Programs for Every Journey
Flagship Experience
The WILD Program
Summer 2027
Registration Open
How it builds
A Multi-Year Ladder
WILD is a container in which teens can grow into their own skills and voices, find and reinvent themselves, building from first steps into the backcountry, to advanced rites of passage.
- WILD Adventure7-day courses for rising 8th-10th grades
- WILD Quest10-day courses for rising 10th-12th grades.
- Alumni QuestFor those who have already completed a Quest trip.
- Leadership TrackFor those interested in becoming guides and mentors
Equity & Access
WILD Scholars
Making wilderness education accessible to all through comprehensive scholarships and year-round mentorship for Bay Area high school students from communities historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces.
94
Scholars Served
100%
Costs Covered
$160k+
Scholarship Support
40+
Referral Partners
Moments from the field
Begin the Journey
Ready to bring your students
back to earth?
Three steps from first conversation to transformative school culture.
Explore
Free School Assessment
A 30-minute call to understand your school's needs.
Start any time
Pilot
Spring 2027 Custom Retreat
A single experience designed for your students — the beginning of something lasting.
Spring 2027
Partner
Multi-year Partnership
Fall 2027 and beyond — building a culture that compounds year over year.
Fall 2027+
Free School Assessment
Get a clear read on what your students — and your school culture — need next.
In one thoughtful conversation, we learn what is working, what is hard, and what you are trying to build. You receive a written School Assessment with what we heard, what we noticed, and the path we would recommend — whether or not you ever work with Back to Earth.
- Understand the student or culture dynamic more clearly.
- See the strengths, constraints, and readiness factors that shape what is possible.
- Know whether to start with a retreat, ongoing outings, a custom expedition, faculty/parent training, or something smaller.
- Leave with useful next steps even if Back to Earth is not the right fit.
Request Your Free School Assessment
Free. No generic sales pitch. 45 minutes in conversation; 2–3 pages in writing.
Back to Earth helps schools build culture through nature connection, challenge, reflection, and real relationships. The assessment is how your school learns what that could look like in its own context.
What you receive
What your written assessment includes.
A kind, informed outside perspective on your school, followed by a written read on what it needs, what it is ready for, and where we would start.
Strengths to build on
An honest reflection of what your school is already doing well and can leverage.
Readiness and constraints
A practical read on staff buy-in, leadership alignment, calendar, funding, parent considerations, and capacity.
Right starting point
A reasoned recommendation for the right first move: a retreat, recurring outings, custom expedition, workshop/training, or a smaller step first.
Useful next steps either way
A written recommendation you can keep, share, or use even if Back to Earth is not the right partner.
Written assessment: 2–3 pages. We will confirm the delivery timing during your conversation.
The right starting point
What might the assessment recommend?
This is not limited to selling a camping trip. Your students, school culture, readiness, and constraints help determine which pathway makes sense.
A retreat
One possible starting point for the student group or culture challenge identified in the assessment.
Ongoing outings
A recurring program path to consider alongside your calendar, staff readiness, and capacity.
A custom expedition
A custom path considered in the context of your students, readiness, and practical constraints.
Faculty/parent training
A workshop or training path focused on the adults who support your school community.
A smaller step first
A more foundational first move when the school is not ready for a larger program.
You do not need to choose a program first.
The assessment helps identify what fits. The next step may be a proposal, a program path, or a useful referral.
Start with an assessmentThe three-step experience
A conversation. A clearer way forward.
A scheduled conversation, a thoughtful outside perspective, and useful next steps in writing.
Tell us a little.
Complete the short form below. We will follow up to arrange your assessment conversation.
We listen.
An expert conversation about students, staff, culture, and what your school is trying to build.
45 minutes. A real dialogue, not a product demo.
You get it in writing.
Receive a written School Assessment: a useful read on readiness, a recommended starting point, and practical next steps.
2–3 pages. Delivery timing is confirmed during your conversation.
“You probably do not have an hour to be sold something. Neither would we.”
Your school. Your starting point.
Tell us a little about your school.
Just enough context to begin. The more substantive questions happen after you book and in the conversation itself.
“You will leave with a written read on what your school needs, what it is ready for, and where we would start — whether or not you ever hire Back to Earth.”
Not ready for an assessment?
School Culture Readiness Checklist
Five questions that help a school leader see whether a retreat, ongoing program, faculty training, or a more foundational first step makes sense.
The download is not available on this page yet. You can sign up for checklist updates below.
Back to Earth helps schools build culture through nature connection, challenge, reflection, and real relationships. The assessment is how your school learns what that could look like in its own context.
— Across our programs —
Transforming Lives Through Nature
ALL PROGRAMS
4,000+
People served
BACK TO EARTH
12
Years in the field
PARTICIPANT REPORTS
98%
Participants reporting high meaning
2026 Program Momentum
Alumni Return Rate — Boys Come Back
40%
WILD Scholar Program Completion Rate
85%
Guide Crew Who Are Former Participants
38%
School Partnership Renewal Rate
100%
How It Works
We Weave the Web That Makes It Make Sense
The Unofficial Curriculum
The 24-Hour Solo
Positive Peer Pressure
"We get kids to sing who parents are like, he'll never sing. Things open up when you're sitting around a fire in the woods."
Life in the Field
A Glimpse Inside
Click any photo to explore
Not sure what's next?
If you want to discuss something specific, schedule a call with Executive Director Eli Marienthal — or stay connected to hear about new programs and offerings.