Campfire gathering

Voices from the Wild

More than a backpacking trip

The WILD Story in their own words

"truly life changing" "more than a backpacking trip" "forged by blood, sweat and tears" "I can do hard things" "coming home to where we belong" "find what you never had" "a vibe unlike any I have seen before" "profoundly spiritual and healing" "the best version of myself" "pure nature, pure trees" "truly life changing" "more than a backpacking trip" "forged by blood, sweat and tears" "I can do hard things" "coming home to where we belong" "find what you never had" "a vibe unlike any I have seen before" "profoundly spiritual and healing" "the best version of myself" "pure nature, pure trees"

One of the most striking patterns across participant reflections is that they almost all begin with the same expectation: they think they are signing up for a backpacking trip.

Almost all of them leave describing something much larger. Again and again, participants begin by talking about wilderness skills and end by talking about identity, gratitude, relationships, and purpose.

What follows are their words, organized into the themes that emerge naturally from their reflections.

Chapter One

More Than a Backpacking Trip

They arrived expecting a hiking trip. They left describing something that changed how they see themselves.

Hank
Hank

“Back to Earth is more than a backpacking trip. It is an incredible balance of spiritual and physical growth that is truly life changing... Every boy deserves an opportunity to go Back to Earth.”

Ezra
Ezra

“I went into Back to Earth thinking I was going to be an expert at backpacking. Not only am I proud to say I'm a confident backpacker, but I discovered that it was so much more... During the solo I had time to reflect on myself in a way I would never have done on my own. I feel like a more complete person, with a confidence in my identity I didn't have before this trip.”

Julian
Julian

“When you're at home and on your phone, there's so many reminders of all the bad stuff that's happening, but when you're out here you have nothing else to focus on but having a good time with your friends and appreciating how beautiful everything is. I'm realizing I'm not a sad person, it's just my environment.”

“Back to Earth is no ordinary backpacking trip. It's not just hiking; we learn how to find who we really want to be and how to get there.”

Niko

“Signing up for Back to Earth I thought it was just a backpacking trip but it was so much more. I learned how to be grateful and really feel my spiritual side... During the trip we had really profound, deep conversations where I felt comfortable sharing things about my personal life.”

Mateo

“Back to Earth is more than a backpacking trip. It is an incredible balance of spiritual and physical growth that is truly life changing... Every boy deserves an opportunity to go Back to Earth.”

— Hank

Chapter Two

A Different Kind of Brotherhood

Perhaps the strongest theme running through these reflections is not adventure but community. Participants consistently describe finding a culture where vulnerability is normal, where emotional honesty is welcomed, and where young men support rather than compete with one another.

Jude

“Back to Earth isn't just a backpacking trip. It's an opportunity for spiritual growth, and raw emotional connection with yourself, others, and the world around you. I love how quickly the group starts to feel like a family as we all have a space to safely open up and express the things we may keep inside in our day to day lives. Through these trips I've not only grown and learned how to better process my emotions, but to be present and helpful when others need to express theirs.”

Jude

3 Summers

“It didn't necessarily feel like going into the wilderness — it felt like coming home to where we belong. The brotherhood created between all of us, Eli and Jesse included, was forged by blood, sweat and tears, and is a brotherhood where we uplift and support one another, not put each other down.”

Elliot

“I really enjoyed the community circles every night around the fire, where we get to express ourselves freely with no judgement.”

Niko

“If you are up to the challenge, you will unlock a community of young men with a vibe unlike any I have seen before, willing to discuss hard questions, deep topics, and difficult feelings while staying respectful.”

Ishaan

4 Summers

“Honestly, I just felt comfortable in my own skin. I didn't have to front and be someone I wasn't. Being able to just be myself and really tell them what was going on in my life, going on in my mind, and not feeling judged, was really refreshing.”

William

“It didn't necessarily feel like going into the wilderness — it felt like coming home to where we belong. The brotherhood created between all of us was forged by blood, sweat and tears, and is a brotherhood where we uplift and support one another, not put each other down.”

— Elliot

Chapter Three

Learning Who You Are

Many teenagers describe WILD not as a place where they are taught who to become, but where they are finally given the space to discover who they already are.

Kaelon
Kaelon

“I see myself going through a constant cycle of reflection, then evolving from that, expanding from that, creating the best version of myself. Had I not gone on Back to Earth, I would never be as grateful for the land, life, family, peace and more. Each day in the mountains you find what you're missing, but also find what you never had.”

4 Summers

“From the beginning of this trip I experienced a change in how I interacted with my peers. I have a habit of social masking... Instead, I gave more to positive thought and went through some emotional release which continued into love. I think I was able to work through my mistakes in communication and communicate my weaknesses... This trip has brought me a sense of serenity and a greater detachment from problems.”

Harold

“This trip taught me that I can do hard things. It's more about how I approach things than how actually difficult they are. Challenges are more in your head than physical... It made me more grateful for the things around me and the relationships I have back at home.”

Walter

“Such an eye opening trip. I really found and learned so much about myself. Such a blessing to see the world at such a young age.”

Soren

“Back to Earth made me more confident in myself. It made me realize I can push myself much more than I think, both physically and mentally. Also, the Council was a highlight of each day that allowed myself to really connect with the others on the trip. It allowed for vulnerability in a very empowering and non-judgmental way.”

Jackson

“Each day in the mountains you find what you're missing, but also find what you never had.”

— Kaelon, 4 Summers

Chapter Four

Attention, Gratitude & Coming Home

Again and again, participants describe the absence of constant distraction as one of the most transformative parts of the experience. Stepping away from constant stimulation allows teenagers to pay closer attention — to themselves, to one another, and to the natural world.

“Being grateful is really healthy for humans, especially with all this technology in the world. These trips make us stronger, smarter, and happier. Connecting to the earth is so important, it's our mother that everything is living on... Being by yourself in your own mind is so healthy for the human mind.”

CJ

3 Summers

“I believe that mindfulness is such an integral part of the human experience and experiencing a lack of distractions in the wild relieves my mind of the strain that is contemporary society and the vices that are impossible to avoid.”

Daxton

6 Summers

“Retreating from the daily chaos and distractions of electronics and busy work into the peaceful, primitive setting of the backcountry truly provides the necessary framework for character development.”

Key

“I feel refreshed not having to use and rely on my phone for the past ten days.”

Niko

“When I'm here I'm just a lot less stressed about things. All you hear is the birds, the water, the wind, and yourself. You could see how peaceful it is and how quiet it can be. It's just pure nature, pure trees, somewhere where you can be whole and be yourself.”

Kaelon

4 Summers

“Being grateful is really healthy for humans, especially with all this technology in the world. These trips make us stronger, smarter, and happier. Connecting to the earth is so important, it's our mother that everything is living on.”

— CJ, 3 Summers

Chapter Five

Returning Again and Again

One of the strongest endorsements of WILD is not found in what participants say, but in what they choose to do. Many of these reflections come from teenagers who have returned year after year.

6
Summers
Daxton
4
Summers
Kaelon
4
Summers
Ishaan
3
Summers
Jude
3
Summers
CJ

“After four trips, I have come to know what happens on these trips, but each time I am pleasantly surprised by a new experience I have... I'm so glad that I have gone on each of these trips and have come away from each one with a new lesson and more confidence.”

Ishaan

4 Summers

“I know what to expect from the trail, and I found that comforting... the prior experience allowed me to notice new things and give tips to other people.”

Ishaan

4 Summers

“You can leave all your past baggage and you can just start fresh. You can be yourself. I had no idea that we would have so many amazing talks by the fire and I didn't know that it would really help me a lot more. I thought it would help in the physical sense but I was not expecting the emotional and spiritual.”

Michael

“I learned that I'm capable of way more than I thought. The physical challenges pushed me, but it was the emotional support from my group and guides that really changed me. I feel like I can handle anything now.”

Andres

The Story They Tell Together

Taken Together

backpacking identity
wilderness brotherhood
challenge gratitude
adventure purpose

“Back to Earth has been a profoundly spiritual and healing experience, yet one that felt natural, not forced... Overall, Back to Earth is a truly transformative program helping young men like myself strive to be the best versions of ourselves, while cultivating an environment where positive masculinity thrives.”

— Elliot

Impact Metrics

The Numbers Tell a Story Too

95%

Report Increased Confidence

92%

Parents See Lasting Changes

88%

Stay Connected Long-Term

Moved by the Experience

Voices from Our Community

500+ families, students, and partners

4,000+
Young People Served
15+ Years
of Wilderness Education
97%
Would Recommend

Parents often reflect to us that their kids came back kind of lit up with a feeling of purpose and a kind of openness that was not there. The openness is probably really a central theme.

— Eli Marienthal, Co-Founder & Executive Director

What Parents Say

Parents share the transformations they've witnessed in their children after participating in our programs

“My son is learning the source of truest strength — the courage to be open and to connect. The transformation I've seen in him since his WILD experience has been profound and lasting.”

Parent of WILD Participant

Berkeley, CA

“Not only did he gain backpacking experience, he went through an incredible spiritual and emotional transformation as well. He came back more grounded, more confident, and more connected to himself.”

Parent of WILD Participant

Oakland, CA

“He came away with a belief in himself that he hadn't felt before. The guides created such a safe space for him to be vulnerable and authentic. As a parent, that's everything I could hope for.”

Parent of WILD Participant

San Francisco, CA

“What impressed me most was how the program addressed the whole person — physical challenge, emotional growth, and spiritual connection. My son gained practical skills but more importantly, he gained self-awareness and confidence.”

Parent of WILD Scholar

Richmond, CA

“The scholarship program made it possible for our son to have this life-changing experience. We're forever grateful to Back to Earth for their commitment to equity and access. Every kid deserves this opportunity.”

Parent of WILD Scholar

East Oakland, CA

“I was nervous about sending him into the wilderness for two weeks, but the guides' expertise and care put me at ease. He came back with stories, new skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. Best decision we ever made.”

Parent of WILD Participant

Marin County, CA

Your Story Awaits

Ready to Create Your Own Story?

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