Referral Partners

Community Partnership

Referral Partners

Two ways to bring young people closer to the wild

Refer a Student

See It For Yourself

The WILD Scholars Story

"What I really want for every single young person who touches the program is the feeling of: Wow. What a cool and actually accessible example of a good way to be a human being."

— Eli Marienthal, Co-Founder & Executive Director

Two Ways to Partner

Which Path Is Yours?

Every referral partner brings something different. Choose the path that fits your relationship to this work.

Path One — Refer a Student

Know Someone?

Referral partners are integral to the WILD Scholars Program. This network of caring and trusted adults — mostly teachers, coaches, and other organization staff — connects eligible teenagers to Back to Earth and the WILD summer program by nominating them for the scholarship opportunity.

Mark Sanchez

Your Contact

Mark Sanchez

Program Manager

If you work with and want to connect teens in your life to this program, become a referral partner.

In addition to a full scholarship for a summer backpacking trip, WILD Scholars participate in several day-long programs throughout the spring to prepare them for the summer, and receive focused one-on-one support to create a success plan for the summer.

MarkSanchez@BackToEarth.org

Email Mark directly

General Inquiries

Contact us with any other questions

What Am I Committing To?

Two Simple
Commitments

Referral partner working with youth
#1

Identify & Nominate

You commit to identifying and nominating teens who could benefit from the social, intellectual, and emotional richness of a summer WILD adventure, and from the peer community, mentor support, and ongoing connection with Back to Earth that comes with being part of the WILD Scholars Program. You don't have to identify many candidates — one or two per year is fine.

Preparing for the wilderness trip
#2

Support & Stay Engaged

You commit to support your nominees through the application process and to remain a point of contact for Back to Earth, to ensure that scholars who you nominated stay fully engaged throughout the program.

Each Scholarship Includes

Everything a Scholar Needs

Full Trip Scholarship

All expenses covered for one of our 10-day rites of passage backpacking trips in the summer.

All Gear Provided

All the gear and equipment needed — from backpacks to boots to sleeping bags.

One-on-One Support

Focused support and communication for participants and their families throughout.

Two Spring Prep Sessions

Day-long gatherings with the full WILD Scholars cohort before the trip to prepare.

Ongoing Mentorship

Continued mentorship and leadership opportunities year-round.

Back to Earth Swag

Scholars receive Back to Earth gear and become part of the alumni community.

Young person in the wilderness
On the trail
Group in the mountains

Who Should I Nominate?

The Right Candidate

Current 7th–11th graders (going into 8th–12th grades next fall)

Students who are interested, engaged, and able to commit

Students seeking mentorship, new experiences, and new relationships

Students who are curious and open-minded

Students who would not have access without this support

Students who ride the edge of engagement and disengagement with their future or community

2026 marks our 12th season of WILD.

Rather than just providing tuition assistance, we've come to think of access largely in terms of relationship building and the cultivation of trust that allows teens to step fully into their summer experience.

How It Works

1

Connect

Reach out to Mark to learn about the program and share information about the youth you have in mind.

2

Nominate

Identify and nominate a teen who would benefit from a WILD summer adventure.

3

Support

Help your nominee through the application process and stay engaged as their point of contact.

4

They Thrive

Your scholar receives a full scholarship, gear, prep sessions, and a life-changing wilderness experience.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions

Reach out to Program Manager Mark Sanchez at MarkSanchez@BackToEarth.org or via our contact form. We'll schedule a conversation to understand your organization's needs and the youth you serve. From there, we'll set up a partnership agreement and provide referral materials.
We serve Bay Area youth ages 13-18 from communities historically underrepresented in wilderness education. Ideal candidates are those who would benefit from outdoor experiences but lack the financial resources, access, or exposure to participate independently. No prior outdoor experience is required.
There is no cost to become a referral partner. Scholars receive full or partial scholarships covering program tuition, gear, transportation, and year-round mentorship. Partners help identify and refer students; we handle the rest.
From referral to enrollment typically takes 4-6 weeks. After you submit a referral, we review the application, interview the student and family, and make a decision. Programs run throughout the year with summer expeditions being our flagship offering.
Yes. We maintain ongoing communication with partners throughout the program. You'll receive updates on participant progress, program outcomes, and post-program impact reports. We believe partners should see the results of their referrals.
Back to Earth works directly with school or organization leadership to design a custom wilderness experience for a cohort of students. We handle all logistics, gear, and facilitation. Programs typically include pre-trip preparation sessions at your school, a multi-day backcountry immersion, and post-trip integration support. Contact us to start a conversation.

Become a Referral Partner

Together, we can create more opportunities for young people to experience the transformative power of wilderness