wilderness immersion & leadership development

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A person bundled in an orange sleeping bag laughing outdoors with mountain rocks and camping gear in the background.
Group of young men sitting by a campfire outdoors during sunset with mountains and trees in the background.

Our flagship summer backpacking program - WILD - is a backpacking program for teenage boys that fosters resilience, self-awareness, and purpose. Participants embark on multi-day expeditions, learning survival skills, self-reliance, and the art of deep listening to the land.

These immersive wilderness journeys offer young men the opportunity to step away from the noise of modern life and rediscover their connection to the earth. Guided by experienced mentors, participants learn essential wilderness skills, cultivate emotional awareness, and build meaningful relationships with nature and their peers. Through practices like solo time, ceremony, and shared gratitude, they return with a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.

Young man with curly hair and glasses smiling outdoors, carrying a large backpack, holding trekking poles, and wearing a baseball cap in a mountainous landscape with a blue sky.
Young man with curly hair, smiling, wearing sunglasses, hiking in a mountainous landscape with a backpack, holding hiking poles, and wearing a baseball cap.

Our programs grow with participants, given them a multi-year ladder to climb as they progress in their training, level of experience, and comfort in the backcountry. We welcome participants as young as 13 years old to begin with our 7-day Intro to WILD course, and grow with them throughout their high school careers, building towards proficiency in skills such as fire making from friction, and more rigorous rites of passage, including our version of a solo vision fast.

Group of young men sitting around a campfire outdoors during sunset in a mountainous and forested area.

What to Expect:

  • Solo time in nature

  • Mindfulness & movement practices

  • Fire circles and storytelling

  • Practical earth-based skills

  • Leadership development

  • Leave No Trace backpacking

Learn More
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A young person with long dreadlocks in a gray jacket, red bandana, and tan pants, crouching on rocky shoreline with ocean waves in the background and another person in the distance.
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custom programs

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We work with schools, summer camps, youth organizations, and community groups to develop custom workshops, outdoor retreats and nature-based programming.

We design experiences that integrate Back to Earth’s core principles and practices with each client’s unique organizational and cultural needs and aspirations.

Activities Include:

  • Multiple-night camping trips

  • Full service food and camping setup

  • Nature-based games and activities

  • Journaling and reflective time

  • Campfire stories, songs and reflections

Learn More
Four children running through a dusty, wooded area during sunset.
People running on a dirt trail in a forest during sunset, with trees and dust visible.
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A man with a beard and colorful beaded necklace views a bundle of burning hair with smoke rising from it, while wearing a gray wide-brimmed hat with a brown band. Two other men are visible in the background, one playing a guitar.
A man wearing a gray hat with a red band is holding a bundle of burning herbs or tobacco, with smoke rising from it, during an outdoor cultural or ceremonial gathering. Two other men are in the background, one playing a guitar and another holding a small animal.
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community events

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Throughout the year we host campouts, gatherings, community ceremonies and skill-building workshops that honor the rhythms of the land and our place within it.

Whether it’s a fire circle, a shared Thanksgiving Address, or a fire-from-friction workshop, the practices and skills we share help us connect with something larger than ourselves. Our community gatherings are open to participants of all backgrounds and are designed to foster connection, reflection, and shared purpose.

Events Calendar
Group of people, mostly children and teenagers, posing outdoors in a park with trees and mountains in the background on a cloudy day.
Two boys sitting cross-legged on the ground outdoors, working on craft projects with small tools. They are surrounded by trees, wooden boards, and natural materials, with various objects and tools nearby.
A man standing and speaking to a group of children in a classroom or school setting. The children are sitting on the floor, listening attentively. There are posters on the wall and ballet barres in the room.
Group of people making flower arrangements outdoors under a covered pavilion, with trees and a blue sky in the background.