MISSION
The mission of Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) is to foster confidence, health, and a life-long love of learning for young people and families through active outdoor experiences and mentoring.
VISION
WYP envisions teaching the next generation of to be peaceful, respectful and confident stewards of our world. We believe that outdoor time and caring mentors provide the essential nutrients children need.
CORE VALUES
INCLUSIVENESS (East) We believe a connection with Nature is needed by everyone and for this reason we are committed to making our programs available to all children by bridging socioeconomic or cultural barriers. This means far more than "equal opportunity" to us. Inclusiveness requires an active effort on our part to create and maintain overlap between WYP culture and the cultures that contain and surround us. In this way, our programs are nourished by diverse perspectives and our entire community benefits from the teachings we offer.
NATURE MENTORING (South)
We use tools called "Coyote Mentoring" and "The Eight Shields Model" to engage people in place-based education and deepen their relationship with nature. Our curriculum includes naturalist and survival skills, animal tracking, edible and medicinal plants, and interpreting bird language. Our students are immersed in nature, utilizing all of their senses. We maintain a low student to teacher ratio of 4:1 to facilitate individual mentoring. Nature Mentoring develops stewards, mentors, and leaders who will foster sustainability for humanity and the earth.
COMMUNITY (West)
We nurture an awareness of the vital interdependence of nature, community, and self. We encourage genuine relationships, service to community, and a lifestyle in rhythm with nature.
PEACEMAKING (North)
We strive to begin our interactions with thanksgiving. We have a commitment to cultivate peace in ourselves and to communicate honestly and clearly. In this way, we steward the earth and our children toward peace and well-being of body, mind, sand spirit.
