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Back To Earth

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connecting young people to what is wild and sacred,
in themselves and in the world

Three children sitting on rocky ground, facing a mountain range under a clear blue sky at high altitude.
A person in a blue shirt and beige pants doing a handstand on a large rock overlooking a mountain landscape with a lake and forest below under a blue sky.
A person in a blue jacket sitting on a folding chair in a grassy meadow, facing snow-capped mountains and a forest of tall green trees under a cloudy sky.
Group of people sitting in a circle outdoors in a mountain landscape with gray peaks, a lake, and a clear blue sky.
A serene mountain landscape at sunset with a calm lake reflecting the surrounding rocky slopes and a partly cloudy sky.
Two men in outdoor jackets and beanies standing by a lakeshore with tents, rocks, and mountainous terrain in the background.
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A logo featuring mountains, trees, a bison, and a bird with the text 'Back to Earth' underneath.

We offer workshops, overnight retreats, and wilderness programs that train young people’s attention and awareness.

We teach practical skills and critical thinking that support young people to experience safety and belonging in the natural world.

We create opportunities for young people to connect with their sense of purpose and source of meaning.

We are a community of adult mentors and guides dedicated to uplifting and supporting young people to navigate adolescence with greater confidence, resilience and gratitude.

Thanks for being here - on Earth.
It takes all of us.

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A woman with curly hair and glasses sitting cross-legged on a rock, overlooking a forested mountain landscape during sunset.
A woman with curly hair and glasses sitting on a rock in a mountainous forest landscape during sunset.
Three friends sitting around a campfire in a mountain valley, with tents set up behind them, during late afternoon or early evening.

"My son is learning the source of truest strength - the courage to be open and to connect."

dIve deePer

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Group of kids gathered around a small campfire, roasting marshmallows outdoors.
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explore our programs
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upcoming events
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learn more about us
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registration for WILD now open!

A wilderness-based adventure learning and rites of passage program for teenage boys

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“Not only did he gain backpacking experience, he went through an incredible spiritual and emotional transformation as well”

WhaT parTiciPanTs SaY

  • Silhouette of a bison on a black background.

    When you're at home...


    and on your phone, there’s so many reminders of all the bad stuff that’s happening, but when you’re out here you have nothing else to focus on but having a good time with your friends and appreciating how beautiful everything is. Im realizing I’m not a sad person, its just my environment”

    Julian - WILD Alum

    “You could se how peaceful it is and how quite it can be.. its just pure nature, pure trees, somewhere where you can be whole and be yourself”

    Kaelon- WILD Alum

  • Silhouette of a fluffy dog with a long coat, facing downward.

    Honestly, I just felt...

    comfortable in my own skin, I didn’t have to front and be someone I wasn’t. Being able to just be myself and really tell them what was going on in my life, going on in my mind, and not feeling judged, was really refreshing”

    William - WILD ALUM

    “When I’m here I’m just a lot less stressed about things, all you hear is the birds, the water, the wind, and yourself”

    Andres- WILD Alum

  • Silhouette of a Bison in a side profile view on a black background.

    You can leave all your..

    past baggage and you can just start fresh. You can be yourself. I had no idea that we would have so many amazing talks by the fire and I didn’t know that it would really help me a lot more. I thought it would help in the physical sense but I was not expecting the emotional and spiritual.”

    Michael- WILD Alum

    “Back to Earth made me more confident in myself.  It made me realize I can push myself much more than I think, both physically and mentally. Also, the Council was a highlight of each day that allowed myself to really connect with the others on the trip.  It allowed for vulnerability in a very empowering and non-judgmental way.”

    Jackson- WILD Alum

a wOrd From ouR foUndErs

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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.

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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 …

read stories
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A group of people sitting around a campfire on a sandy ground at night, with a tree in the background.

"He came away with a belief in himself that he hadn’t felt before."