Back to Earth guide team hiking through forest

our team

You're only ever as good as your people

Meet the mentors, climbers, builders, farmers, jewelers, poets, singers, dancers, medics, leaders, teachers, healers, and ceremonialists who devote themselves to this work

Who We Are

Mentors who hold space for the real questions

Our guides are experienced wilderness educators, mentors, and passionate advocates for youth development. Each brings unique skills, perspectives, and a deep commitment to supporting young people on their journey of self-discovery.

We maintain a 6:1 participant-to-guide ratio to ensure personalized attention and meaningful relationships.

13

Guides on staff

6:1

Guide ratio

100%

Wilderness First Responders

Guides hiking with youth through wilderness

"Grown-ups worth asking the questions that really matter."

Leadership

The Founders & Leaders

The visionaries who built Back to Earth from a shared love of wild places into a transformative movement

Eli Marienthal
Executive Director, Lead Guide

Eli Marienthal

Eli Marienthal is a lifelong learner and educator. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of Back to Earth and a founding faculty member of WILD, where he guides wilderness rites of passage adventures for teens and young adults.

"Everything else was to build the trust. So that they knew that they could ask me and get a real answer."

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Jesse Sachs
Co-Founder, Director of Operations

Jesse Sachs

Jesse has always found beauty and belonging in the mountains. He's been backpacking in the Sierras since infancy, trained with NOLS in high school, and has been at the helm of Back to Earth since 2014.

"I want young people to know, in their bones, that they belong to the living world, and to discover what becomes possible when they live from that knowing."

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Mark Sanchez
WILD Scholars Program Manager

Mark Sanchez

Mark is Back to Earth’s WILD Scholars Program Manager, supporting young people and families throughout their journey, from initial outreach and trip preparation to wilderness expeditions and year-round mentorship. He began guiding with Back to Earth in 2023. He is a lead guide for WILD, and the anchor of our Summer Bridge program.

"Every kid deserves this opportunity, regardless of their background or circumstance."

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Our Guide Team

The Mentors in the Field

Click any guide to read their bio and learn more about their journey

What Sets Us Apart

What Makes Our Guides Special

Deeply Caring

Our guides genuinely care about each young person and create spaces of emotional safety and belonging.

Highly Skilled

All guides are Wilderness First Responders with extensive backcountry experience and technical expertise.

Culturally Responsive

We bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives, honoring each participant's unique identity and experience.

Earth-Connected

Our guides model deep connection to the natural world and inspire reverence for the living earth.

Training & Standards

Guide Training & Standards

We maintain the highest standards for guide training, safety, and ongoing professional development

Required Training

  • Wilderness First Responder (80-hour certification)
  • Leave No Trace principles and ethics
  • Youth development and adolescent psychology
  • Trauma-informed care practices
  • Council facilitation training
  • Risk management and emergency protocols
  • Cultural competency and inclusion training

Ongoing Development

  • Annual WFR recertification
  • Monthly guide team meetings
  • Seasonal training intensives
  • Peer mentorship and feedback
  • Continuing education in youth development
  • Debriefs and reflective practice
  • Community building and self-care
From Participants & Parents

What They Say About Our Guides

"The guides didn't just teach us skills — they held space for us to grow. I've never had adults believe in me like that before."

WILD Alum

Age 16

"What impressed me most was how the guides created an environment where my son felt safe enough to be vulnerable. That's rare and precious."

Parent of WILD Participant

Berkeley

"Our guide saw something in me that I couldn't see yet. He pushed me just enough to realize I was stronger than I thought."

WILD Scholar

Age 15

"Everything else was to build the trust. So that they knew that they could ask me and get a real answer. We do so much to create the culture where you build the trust so that young people can see that there are grown-ups worth asking the questions that they really care about."

— Eli, on what it means to be a guide

Guide teaching in wilderness
Join Our Team

Become a Guide

Are you passionate about wilderness education and youth development? We're always looking for skilled, compassionate guides to join our team.

We seek guides who bring diverse perspectives, deep wilderness skills, and a genuine commitment to supporting young people. If you have experience in outdoor education, youth mentorship, or related fields, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply to Join Our Team