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!
No previous outdoors experience is necessary to participate. Preregistration is required, and you must sign up for the entire 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!
No previous outdoors experience is necessary to participate. Preregistration is required, and you must sign up for the entire session. Please see details below.
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.
THe Details
Spring program 2025
**We are running an abbreviated version of the program this spring to allow teens to get a taste of what we do. We will be offering a full overnight version in the fall of 2025. Full details and dates for this program will be available soon!**
This program will run on two Saturdays:
April 12, 10am-4pm and May 17, 10am-4pm
Cost: $125
*Tuition assistance available*. Please see below.
These two dates are considered one program, so you must sign-up for both. Full details about what to bring and where to meet will be provided to registered families. If you have questions or would like to talk to an instructor to get a feel for the program, please contact us!
To register, follow this link:
Coming soon!
**We are running an abbreviated version of the program this spring to allow teens to get a taste of what we do. We will be offering a full overnight version in the fall of 2025. Full details and dates for this program will be available soon!**
This program will run on two Saturdays:
April 12, 10am-4pm and May 17, 10am-4pm
Cost: $125
*Tuition assistance available*. Please see below.
These two dates are considered one program, so you must sign-up for both. Full details about what to bring and where to meet will be provided to registered families. If you have questions or would like to talk to an instructor to get a feel for the program, please contact us!
To register, follow this link:
Coming soon!
To apply for financial assistance, follow this link and complete the survey:
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 February 15th, 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 to ensure the program runs! 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 February 15th, 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 to ensure the program runs! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!**
