WILD scholars program

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For those who seek connection but need financial support, the WILD Scholars Program provides opportunities for young men from diverse backgrounds to experience the healing power of nature.

2026 applications are closed
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Four hikers resting on a mountain trail with green valleys and rocky mountains in the background, wearing backpacks and outdoor gear.
Group of hikers resting on a mountain trail overlooking a lush valley with mountains in the background.

expanding equity and access in wilderness education

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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.

2026 Applications Are Closed
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Three men posing for a photo in a mountainous forest setting on a sunny day.
Three young men posing outdoors in a mountainous forest area with blue sky, wearing hiking clothes and smiling.
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as a WILD scholar
you’ll receive:

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A full scholarship to one of our 10 day rites of passage backpacking trips in the summer.

All the gear and equipment needed, plus Back to Earth swag.

Multiple touch points throughout the
school year to prepare for your trip.

An incredible community of peers and mentors.

Integration gathering to bring the summer experience home.

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Four friends sitting on camping chairs around a campfire during sunset, enjoying drinks and food at outdoor camping site with mountains in the background.
A group of four friends sitting on the ground outdoors during sunset, enjoying drinks and camping gear with mountains in the background.

applications to join the next cohort of WILD scholars opens january 2026!

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We recommend taking some time to review the application and preparing your answers ahead of time. Please only submit one application form.

Applications cannot be edited once they’ve been submitted.
Ready to get started?

apply for a scholarship
Donate To Support Access
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A group of hikers with backpacks walking on a trail through a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and green vegetation under a clear blue sky.

referral partners

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Are you a teacher, or do you work with teens?
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 partner
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Group of hikers walking through a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and green valley under a clear blue sky.

eligibility

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- Be a current 7th - 11th grader (entering 8th-12th in Fall 2025) -

- Qualify for free or reduced lunch

- Ask a teacher, counselor, therapist, coach, principle, or any one of your educators, to be your REFERRAL PARTNER and nominate you.

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Mountain landscape with rocky terrain, scattered bushes, and a partly cloudy sky at sunset.

important dates

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  • Applications due: 3/01/26

  • Scholars announced: 3/10/26

  • Day long # 1 - East Bay: 4/19/26

  • Day long # 2 - East Bay: 5/17/26

  • Summer Trips: TBA

apply here
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Three young men sitting around a campfire outdoors during sunset in a mountainous area with trees in the background, smiling and relaxing.

what’s the point of
WILD scholars?

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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.

our mission
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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. 

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 will help them translate their summer experiences into their college application essays. 

talk to someone


Curious if the WILD Scholars Program is a good fit for you? Need to ask some clarifying questions before submitting your application? Get in touch with Program Manager Mark Sanchez @ Marksanchez@backtoearth.org

Have other questions not pertaining to WILD Scholars? Contact us here:

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contact us

Keep exPloring

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field notes:
what we’re reading and writing

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Our version of a blog - original thoughts and reposted content, on reconnecting to what is sacred and wild in ourselves and our world.

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expanding equity & access in wilderness education

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The WILD Scholars Program is a wraparound mentoring and scholarship program for Bay Area high school students from communities who have been historically underrepresented in wilderness education.

learn more
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meet the back to earth guide and mentor community

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We are mentors, climbers, builders, farmers, writers, poets, singers, dancers, medics, leaders, teachers, healers, learners, lovers of earth and sky …

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