Wild Soul Teen Program: Earth Walkers
Join a group of teens who seek adventure, skills, and want to explore their own wildness with like-minded people!
Earth Walkers is a deep nature connection and wilderness expedition program that gives teens the opportunity to live the routines of nature awareness, wilderness, and community-building skills that bring us fully alive.
Earth Walkers teens are guided on this journey by experienced and passionate mentors in nature connection, wilderness survival, and expedition quests. These mentors support the teens in co-creating a community of deep connection and belonging. Earth Walkers is where teens can develop deep friendships and co-create unforgettable experiences that anchor them into their fullest selves.
Students will learn or deepen their skills in:
Each weekend will focus on a different aspect of this learning journey based on season, location, knowledge and interest of the group. Instructors work to provide opportunities for in-depth learning in the passion-areas of the group and individuals, while holding a cultural basket that allows the teens to try out ways of being apart from the norms of public school, growing resilience of self and an increased capacity for critical decision-making.
Prepare to explore the diverse 4-Corners! While our home base of Old-Growth Pinõn Juniper forest is 10 minutes south of Durango, we will go on expedition to the deserts and the mountains, becoming ourselves among the sands and stones, tall trees and mountain lakes.
Whether you’re new to Wild Soul or are a longtime participant, we will be learning all sorts of exciting skills together and having lots of fun!
This program will consist of 5 monthly overnight camp-outs in various wild places in the Durango area. No previous outdoors experience is necessary to participate. Preregistration is required, and you must sign up for the entire fall session. Please see details below.
Earth Walkers is a deep nature connection and wilderness expedition program that gives teens the opportunity to live the routines of nature awareness, wilderness, and community-building skills that bring us fully alive.
Earth Walkers teens are guided on this journey by experienced and passionate mentors in nature connection, wilderness survival, and expedition quests. These mentors support the teens in co-creating a community of deep connection and belonging. Earth Walkers is where teens can develop deep friendships and co-create unforgettable experiences that anchor them into their fullest selves.
Students will learn or deepen their skills in:
- The art of tracking animals
- Wilderness living and survival skills like primitive fire making, navigation, tool use & crafting, and shelter building
- Knowledge of and relationship to the local mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, plants and trees of the Four Corners Region
- How to understand and interpret the language of the birds
- Medicinal and edible qualities of wild plants
- How to explore safely on- and off-trail in the woods
- Leadership, self-awareness, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, community-building and peacemaking skills
Each weekend will focus on a different aspect of this learning journey based on season, location, knowledge and interest of the group. Instructors work to provide opportunities for in-depth learning in the passion-areas of the group and individuals, while holding a cultural basket that allows the teens to try out ways of being apart from the norms of public school, growing resilience of self and an increased capacity for critical decision-making.
Prepare to explore the diverse 4-Corners! While our home base of Old-Growth Pinõn Juniper forest is 10 minutes south of Durango, we will go on expedition to the deserts and the mountains, becoming ourselves among the sands and stones, tall trees and mountain lakes.
Whether you’re new to Wild Soul or are a longtime participant, we will be learning all sorts of exciting skills together and having lots of fun!
This program will consist of 5 monthly overnight camp-outs in various wild places in the Durango area. No previous outdoors experience is necessary to participate. Preregistration is required, and you must sign up for the entire fall session. Please see details below.
Earth Walkers Details:
When: 5 overnights from 10am Saturday to 3pm Sunday
Aug 24-25
Sept 21-22
October 19-20
November 16-17
December 7-8
Ages: 13-15
Location: Various wild areas around Durango. Carpool options will be available.
Cost: $975*
What to bring: campers will need to bring their own basic camping supplies, weather appropriate layers, water, snacks and food. Full details will be provided on registration.
*some tuition assistance options available, please contact us for more details!
When: 5 overnights from 10am Saturday to 3pm Sunday
Aug 24-25
Sept 21-22
October 19-20
November 16-17
December 7-8
Ages: 13-15
Location: Various wild areas around Durango. Carpool options will be available.
Cost: $975*
What to bring: campers will need to bring their own basic camping supplies, weather appropriate layers, water, snacks and food. Full details will be provided on registration.
*some tuition assistance options available, please contact us for more details!
About our Approach
Durango Wild Soul uses the 8-Shields Mentoring Model – an educational approach that is based on natural cycles and ancient mentoring practices that:
Our instructors bring a variety of skills, personal experience and compassion. They have all been trained in 8-Shields mentoring and Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Read more about them on our Facilitators Page.
- Encourage creative thinking rather than providing answers,
- Help students develop problem-solving skills and self-sufficiency,
- Take learning to a deeper, embodied & contextual level.
Our instructors bring a variety of skills, personal experience and compassion. They have all been trained in 8-Shields mentoring and Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Read more about them on our Facilitators Page.
To Register
1. Please fill out and submit the registration form linked below.
2. Send a $200 deposit to our fiscal sponsor, Onward, using the link below.
2. Send a $200 deposit to our fiscal sponsor, Onward, using the link below.
We will send you confirmation once the forms and payment have been received!
The Fine Print
**Please note: registration does reserve you a spot, but does not guarantee acceptance into the program. While we will do all we can to make our programs accessible to all, we reserve the right to ensure we are a good fit for each other and that it is within our ability to meet your child's needs before their spot is guaranteed. We place great importance on the physical and emotional health and safety of all our participants, and make decisions accordingly. If for some reason we decide we are not a good match for you and your child, your deposit will be fully refunded. For school-year applicants, we will schedule an interview prior to the beginning of the school year to check in and discuss any concerns.
We also need to meet minimum enrollment numbers to make a program work. If we have not met our necessary enrollment numbers by July 1st (for school-year programs), the program in question may be canceled. In this case you will receive a full refund for any deposit or tuition paid. Please register promptly! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!**
**Please note: registration does reserve you a spot, but does not guarantee acceptance into the program. While we will do all we can to make our programs accessible to all, we reserve the right to ensure we are a good fit for each other and that it is within our ability to meet your child's needs before their spot is guaranteed. We place great importance on the physical and emotional health and safety of all our participants, and make decisions accordingly. If for some reason we decide we are not a good match for you and your child, your deposit will be fully refunded. For school-year applicants, we will schedule an interview prior to the beginning of the school year to check in and discuss any concerns.
We also need to meet minimum enrollment numbers to make a program work. If we have not met our necessary enrollment numbers by July 1st (for school-year programs), the program in question may be canceled. In this case you will receive a full refund for any deposit or tuition paid. Please register promptly! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!**