“Far more daunting than navigating my own transition from adolescence to adulthood has been parenting a son doing the same. At this critical period when he needs to experience freedom to find his authentic self, his fledgling judgement is being learned by trial and error, peers' opinions rule supreme, male culture is portrayed in the media as mostly crude and superficial (at best) and a parent is demoted to consultant, that is when powerful role models for what a man can be is essential. WILD was exactly what I hoped for but didn't imagine existed.
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Beyond my hopes for my own kid, I felt a deep sadness that what it means to be a man - and by extension what it means to be a boy - had been lost, almost something to apologize for.

Since joining the first trip to Yosemite, Jesse and Eli have been profound role models for my son - as men. Through their example he experienced the power and beauty of aligning with one's authentic self, connecting with nature, respecting life, and owning one's gifts, fears, weaknesses, power and heartbreak. During the first group trip, and through his continued work as Jesse's mentee, my son is learning the source of truest strength - the courage to be open and to connect.”
-Jennifer, W.I.L.D. Parent

“Back to Earth saved us! I was desperately looking for something for my teenage son to do during the lockdown of summer of 2020. I happened upon W.I.L.D. on a parents site and immediately signed him up for the 10-day backpacking trip. He had a blast; I had a break; but, even more importantly, he developed new skills and a renewed sense of being capable and connected.
‍To keep that goodness going, I signed him up for Mentoring Circles, which provides him with healthy, positive activities and an ongoing connection to excellent, supportive mentors and the out of doors. Highly recommended.”
-Kate, W.I.L.D. Parent

“Back to Earth has provided my son with a sense of belonging and connection to himself and others through exposure to nature and an acceptance of self which has provided him with a deeper sense of wellbeing.W.I.L.D. has helped to provide my son with the tools and skills to self soothe, take perspective and develop a deeper sense of self.”
-Kerryn, W.I.L.D. Parent

“My son has benefited immensely from W.I.L.D. It’s a great change of pace from his usual urban lifestyle. He has come back each time with new levels of confidence, and stories of camaraderie and overcoming challenges. So grateful for Eli, Jesse and the whole team.”
-Andreas, W.I.L.D. Parent

“My son took part on his first Back To Earth wilderness retreat after he graduated from high school, prior to leaving for college. It was an introduction to a new passion for health, love of nature and the environment, and a new faith in his own capabilities. It was the best investment we could have made in him. He left a lovely boy and returned an amazing young man.”
-Celina, W.I.L.D. Parent

“Back to Earth has been a life-changer for our family. My son has been doing the year-round program for four years and he loves it. He never complains about going with Back to Earth on a weekend - in fact, he always wants to make sure there's nothing else going on on weekends when there's a BTE activity. Additionally, he did a 10-day backpacking trip over the summer in Yosemite. He was able to overcome some pretty profound fears with Jesse and the other guides and came back a changed young man. 
I am forever grateful to Back to Earth for the opportunities they have provided for my son to explore his fears, his strengths, and his identity as a young man growing up in this crazy world.”
-Tatiana, W.I.L.D. Parent

“Our 16-year-old son has done both the W.I.L.D. summer backpacking trips and the Mentoring Circles program for the past couple of years, and it's impossible to overstate how valuable and wonderful Back to Earth has been, both for him and for us as his parents. He returns from these trips and gatherings in a state of calm, happy groundedness that is wonderful to see and to be around.

You know how great it feels as a parent when your kid is having an enlivening, enriching, challenging, fun-filled experience? That's how it feels to have your kid involved with Back to Earth, times 100. We are so super grateful for Jesse, Spencer and Eli! The gifts they're giving these kids are life-changing.”
-Elizabeth, W.I.L.D. Parent

“My 16-year-old son loved the deep, genuine connections he made while backpacking through the beautiful California wilderness. These trips are fun, rigorous, and spiritual. In addition, the adult mentors provided excellent guidance for the boys on their journey to adulthood. The trail programs are highly recommended.

My son also participated in the nine-month Mentoring Circles program, and he hiked, camped, kayaked, and went snowshoeing with his small group. His all-time favorite activity was the magical time at a sweat lodge! But this program is more than just fun activities. Jesse, one of the leaders, regularly checked in with my son during the year, providing an important opportunity for my son to discuss anything on his mind. He felt a lot of kinship and support during the year, and it was therapeutic. Mentoring Circles is a unique and special program.

My son is eager to do both programs again.”
-Jenn, W.I.L.D. Parent

“Thank you so much for providing this tremendous opportunity for our boys. It was a leap of faith for us to send them across the country for this challenging and life changing experience and I believe it will have profound long term effects for them.My son already seems different...more calm...less anxious.”
-Marianne, W.I.L.D. Parent

“I sent my son on this journey last year. His experience was transformative and deeply meaningful. We had full faith in Eli and Jesse as guides, and responsible men committed to providing an enduring and positive experience for our son. He came back overflowing with a new sense of himself - to envision new doors opening and confident that he could be a stronger advocate for himself. And he never missed his cell phone once! I highly recommend this journey. My son will be returning for his second trip this summer. I'm grateful to Eli and Jesse for providing this opportunity. It does require a village to raise a child. I have always encouraged my son to foster relationships with other men who could teach him to grow mentally, spiritually and physically. As a parent I can only do so much. The mindfulness adventure is perfect for him and it is helping him to build the confidence to move forward in his life.”
-Lowell, W.I.L.D. Parent

“I cannot say enough about this program and the guys who run it. My son went on his first backpacking trip with them last summer and it was transformative in so many ways. Not only did he gain experience backpacking, he went through an incredible spiritual and emotional transformation as well. He came away with life long connections to amazing people and a belief in himself that he hadn't felt before.”
-Sevgi, W.I.L.D. Parent

“The Back to Earth program has supported our son in finding his voice - providing both physical challenges and deep conversations that have helped him to summon the courage it takes to be vulnerable and articulate in difficult moments. It has also allowed him to experience the spark of beauty that is possible when young men let their guard down and take chances together in community.“
-Duncan, W.I.L.D. Parent