The Wilderness Institute, founded in 1984, serves as a center for outdoor education and personal growth experiences. Once nestled in California’s Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, we now continue our mission in the beautiful landscapes of Santa Fe, New Mexico. As a renowned “Outdoor Adventure School,” we have enriched thousands of lives with outdoor skills training, ecological education, backcountry safety, and immersive nature experiences.

Our early offerings included a myriad of courses in natural and cultural history, hiking, mountaineering, aquatic sports, and more. Today, our programs have evolved to cater to diverse groups, with specialized therapeutic and corporate team-building initiatives forming a core part of our mission.

Our commitment to celebrating the unity of nature and humanity is showcased in our large-scale events, such as the annual Wilderness Fair and Earth Day celebrations. Our unique Wheel to the Sea event and numerous others under our Wilderness Wheelers outreach program focus on inclusivity and making nature accessible to the physically disabled.

In 1986, we launched the T.L.C. Executive Experience seminars, fostering personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills. Our success led to the establishment of our Corporate Services division, serving hundreds of organizations over the years.

In the same year, we expanded our educational programs for youth, providing a wealth of experiences to schools, camps, and special youth groups. This expansion also included the creation of our Golden Eagle Club Membership program, which provides active roles for supporters through volunteering.

Our environmental advocacy work, including wilderness preservation and public trail access, began in 1989 with the introduction of cultural history and country crafts courses at our then-new home, The Outdoor Center. This location also served as the home to The Trading Post retail guide shop, a valuable resource for members and participants.

Through our public services division, we reach over 50,000 people annually with the “Wilderness Guide” publication, providing a catalog of courses, adventure outings, and eco-tours.

Our Youth Service program, Experiential Education: “Adventures in Learning”, tackles the pressing societal issues of youth crime, drug abuse, and violence. Our A.B.L.E program serves at-risk teens, offering outdoor activities combined with life skills training.

Our consulting services, AdventurePro, assist organizations in developing their own Adventure Programs. We also offer mobile adventure programs that provide experiential education and environmental awareness at various sites and events.

In 1998, we relocated to Northern California, continuing to serve schools and groups through our various Adventure Centers. We launched several programs, including an Anti-Bullying Education Program, Outdoor Leadership Program, and a Drug Reduction Program.

Our journey led us to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains Front Range in 2015 and, most recently, to Santa Fe. Since our inception, we’ve served over 100,000 individuals, including organizations, schools, and businesses, championing adventure-based experiential learning, environmental awareness, personal growth, wilderness preservation, and trail access.

We remain committed to creating opportunities for personal development, enhancing quality of life, and contributing to the environment. As our founder and president, Bradley Childs, aptly puts it, “Learning in nature offers fun, support, and growth, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self-discovery.” Embark on this adventure with us!