Wilderness Programs for Teens

Outdoor Adventure, Rites of Passage for teens


Wilderness Immersion & Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) takes teens on hiking, camping and backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains. We support teenagers from all walks of life to experience the beauty and power of the natural world, while learning to take care of themselves and the earth. All W.I.L.D. trips depart and return from Emeryville, CA.

Boys Programs 2024

Program
Dates
Grade (in Fall 2024)
Location
Tuition
Open

W.I.L.D. One for Boys

6/10-19

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Intro to Backpacking for Boys

6/10-16

8th-9th

Yosemite

$1,750

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

W.I.L.D. One for Boys

6/14-23

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Intro to Backpacking for Boys

6/24-30

8th-9th

Yosemite

$1,750

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

W.I.L.D. One for Boys

6/26-7/5

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Intro to Backpacking for Boys

7/8-14

8th-9th

Yosemite

$1,750

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

W.I.L.D. One for Boys

7/12-7/21

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

W.I.L.D. Two for Boys

7/22-31

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Intro to Backpacking for Boys

7/29-8/4

8th-9th

Yosemite

$1,750

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Girls Programs 2024

Program
Dates
Grade (in Fall 2024)
Location
Tuition
Open

Intro to Backpacking for Girls

7/13-19

8th-9th

Yosemite

$1,750

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

W.I.L.D. One for Girls

7/26-8/4

10th & up

Yosemite

$2,450

Full - get on the waitlist!

Open

Mentoring Circles

Running September through May, Mentoring Circles is our way of integrating the expansive experience of the mountains into the rhythms of home and school. Combination of overnight trips, group outings and one-on-one mentoring. Fields of practice and inquiry include fire-making and tending, orienteering, herbal medicine-making, plant identification, forest management, mindfulness, qigong, archery, creating ritual, the way of council, mythology and storytelling, song, woodworking, thanksgiving, knots and traditional crafts.

Registration is currently closed. join our mailing list to find out when registration opens next year.

Building the Village

Back to Earth works with schools to get students outdoors and in touch with the natural world. From hosting week-long camping trips for entire middle schools, to road trips across California, to weekend retreats for high school men’s groups - we help schools bring their unique visions and priorities for outdoor education and nature connection to life. Be in touch and let us know what you have in mind.

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Custom Programs

Want to create a meaningful experience for your team, community or family? Whether you are dreaming of a backpacking expedition in the high sierra, or glamping at a retreat center, want a full weekend of programming, or just support with infrastructure and logistics to bring your own offering to life, contact us and let us know what's on your mind.

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