Expanding Equity & Access
WILD Scholars
A year-round scholarship and mentorship program for Bay Area youth
01 — The Program
Expanding Equity in Wilderness Education
All young people deserve the opportunity to spend meaningful time in the natural world, and to spend their summers expanding their horizons and learning about themselves.
The WILD Scholars Program is for Bay Area teens from racial, cultural, and social backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in wilderness education. For those who seek connection but need financial support, the program provides opportunities for young men from diverse backgrounds to experience the healing power of nature.
Redistributing access to wild places has been a core element of Back to Earth's mission since our founding in 2014, and we've always made sure that no teen is turned away for lack of funds.
Barriers We Address
Program Costs
Wilderness programs are expensive. Full scholarships remove the financial barrier entirely.
Information & Awareness
Many families simply don't know these opportunities exist or how to access them.
Transportation
Getting to and from remote wilderness areas requires logistics and resources that aren't available to everyone.
Belonging & Welcome
Feelings of being unwelcome or discriminated against in outdoor spaces are real barriers for BIPOC participants.
93
54
$140k+
70/148
Doubling Every Year
The program has doubled in size for three consecutive years.
02 — What You Receive
As a WILD Scholar
A wraparound experience — not just a free trip, but a year of preparation, community, and integration.
"The feeling of: I know why I'm alive. It's worth it being alive. — That is the work. That's what we want to do."
— Eli Marienthal, Co-Founder & Executive Director
03 — Why It Matters
What's the Point of WILD Scholars?
Nature is our common birthright — but too often, we grow up thinking of it as something "out there," "for other people."
A deep connection to the natural world is our common birthright. Too often, though, when we grow up in cities, we start to think of nature as something "out there," "for other people." Maybe we didn't grow up camping or backpacking. Maybe no one in our families or among our close friends knows anything about exploring and being in the wilderness.
Redistributing access to wild places has been a core element of Back to Earth's mission since our founding in 2014, and we've always made sure that no teen is turned away for lack of funds.
However, we know barriers to more equitable and diverse participation in the outdoors are not limited to program costs. They also include a lack of information and awareness about these activities, transportation challenges, safety concerns, feelings of being unwelcome or discriminated against in subtle and overt ways, and a lack of programming that speaks to the cultural experience of BIPOC participants.
That's why the WILD Scholars program is about more than just a free summer trip: it's about building relationships, and cultivating trust and mutual respect among participants and their families, guides, Back to Earth staff, and our network of referral partners.
Truly Prepared to Enjoy It
We want scholars, not just to have access to a summer adventure, but to be truly prepared to enjoy it. That's why scholars participate in two day-long gatherings during the Spring semester, where we cover everything from how to prepare for your trip to making the most of your time in the mountains. When summer is over, scholars gather to celebrate their achievements together. Those entering senior year are also invited to participate in a Back to Earth-sponsored college essay event, where mentors help them translate their summer experiences into their college application essays.
"When I see teenage boys talking about loving Mother Earth like it is the most natural thing in the world — that is when I feel like we are on mission."
— Eli Marienthal, Co-Founder & Executive Director
04 — Eligibility
Who Should Apply
Three simple criteria — plus a referral partner who believes in you.
Are You a Teacher or Youth Worker?
Would you like to connect youth in your life with this program? Learn more about how to nominate a young person for this opportunity.
Become a Referral PartnerFrequently Asked Questions
Every teen deserves
the wild.
Your support makes it possible for deserving young people to experience the transformative power of wilderness education — regardless of economic background.
backtoearth.org — expanding equity in wilderness education since 2014