TEEN BACKPACKING
Hiking in the Marble Mountains during 2022’s trip // photo by Lara Birchler
In this time of global transformation, we are increasingly aware of the need to help young people live with an awakened sense of interrelationship, authentic expression and deep care for their communities — including the wild environment. Wild places are much more than beautiful: they are a gateway into humility, empowerment, inspiration, and the truth of our animal selves. Backcountry travel can redefine our relationships to time, place, and purpose
Our teen backpacking trips are led by a team of Weaving Earth mentors trained in the core practices of Relational Education. All lead guides are certified Wilderness First Responders. We value curiosity as a guide for growth, and we strive for a cultural environment in which the youth learn to collaborate and support each other. As a part of this cultural environment, we aim to nurture a commitment to equity and eco-social justice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. OUR APPROACH TO EDUCATION
We organize our curriculum into four interrelated pillars. While we present these pillars as distinct, we want to emphasize that they are fluid and always interconnected in practice. That fluidity is symbolized by the wave. To learn more, visit our Core Curriculum page.
EARTH INTIMACY
CO-LIBERATION
EMBODIMENT
prayerful action
Wild places are much more than beautiful. They are a gateway into humility, empowerment, inspiration, and the truth of our animal selves.
granite peaks in Dusy Basin, Paiute-Shoshone territory // photo by Sam Edmondson
II. CURRENT TRIPS — 2024
No two trips are ever the same. Each is influenced by the particular composition of the group, the leaders, the place, and the weather (inside and out!). Each trip responds to the interests, passions, curiosities and characters of the individuals who show up. We will embark on an adventure together that takes us deeply into the wild, deeply into ourselves, and deeply into the collective of the group. It’s fun. It’s meaningful. It’s eye-opening. It’s a great way to spend a part of your summer. While we can’t predict exactly what will happen, we can assure potential participants that some combination of the activities below will unfold.
DAY-HIKE EXPLORATIONS
FIRE BY FRICTION
AWARENESS GAMES
MUSIC
TRACKING
RELAXED DOWN TIME
WILDCRAFTS
SWIMMING (site dependent)
MAPPING and JOURNALING
COUNCIL
SIT SPOT
AIDLESS NAVIGATION
WILDERNESS ETHICS
STORYTELLING
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
AND MORE!
TRIP #1
BACKPACKING WITH THE WORLD's TALLEST TREES
1. dATES
JUNE 24th TO 28th
(Monday to Friday)
2. LOCATION
NORTHWEST COASTAL CALIFORNIA
3. PRICING
$425 to $850
(sliding scale, more info in section III. below)
California redwoods // photo by CA Dept. of State Parks
4. GUIDES
DANIEL SCHOEN
Daniel (he/him) began in the foggy flats of Ohlone land (Berkeley) as the son of two queer women of Ashkenazi Jewish and mixed-European descent. Years of travel and exploration brought Daniel new names (DanDan) and new ideas for how to live closer to land and community. A love for playing improvisational music, mythic parades to secret spots, and raising children with a flair for the magical inspire Daniel’s days.
SEBASTIAN SCHMID
Sebastian (he/him) is a mentor for the Wild Tenders youth program. He grew up in Topanga Canyon (Tongva territory). His lineage is Austrian, German, and Czech and he currently lives as a white settler on Southern Pomo territory. He is particularly passionate about the bird world and also supporting the youth in creating healthy and loving relationships with the more-than-human world.
TRIP #2
BACKPACKING FOR QUEER AND TRANS TEENS
1. dATES
JUNE 19th – 23rd
(Monday – Friday)
2. LOCATION
PT REYES, CA
3. PRICING
$425 to $850
(sliding scale, more info in section III. below)
WE teens hiking the Marble Mountains // photo by Lara Birchler
