Mission
Wild Society is a Puget Sound-based non-profit dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between people and the natural world. Through backcountry education, land stewardship, personal growth, and leadership development, we empower individuals to engage deeply with nature and their communities.
Description
Wild Society is a wilderness education nonprofit based in western WA that provides youth backpacking trips, and community events centered around love for the natural world. We work to reconnect human hearts with the everyday wild through adventure, scientific inquiry, storytelling, and hands-on skills.
By cultivating wonder and belonging in the natural world, we are expanding the community of people in all walks of life who advocate for the well-being of our planet.
Wild Society's Core Values:
Gratitude: We practice giving thanks by appreciating others, the natural world, and the relationships that connect us all.
Respect: We show respect through our words and actions by acknowledging and celebrating what makes us different.
Wonder: We wonder at the world around us through curiosity and discovery.
Belonging: We know that everyone has a basic human right to explore and enjoy natural spaces.
Our Work
Every summer we guide teens ages 12-18 years old deep into the wilderness of the Olympic Mountains on backpacking trips ranging from 4-6 days long. 10 campers and 2 experienced, WFR trained guides embark on a journey of skill building and teamwork. Our campers walk away from their experience with a solid set of backpacking skills, a strong sense of self, and a lifetime of memories.
Along with our summer camps we partner with community groups and organizations to provide opportunities for youth to get outside and engage with the natural world.
Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Wild Society recognizes the intersection of social and environmental justice and we see our organization as a platform to serve both. We are a growing community committed to including people regardless of age, race, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity/expression, ideology, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, or financial capacity.
We have long understood community development to be inextricable from our work as environmental educators, and we have long known that in ecosystems and human societies alike, diversity makes communities stronger. As we name the social and racial inequities embedded in our work, we recognize we have a lot to learn.
In 2021, our board and staff formed two new partnerships with BIPOC led organizations Mentoring is a M.U.S.T. and African Community Housing & Development. We are continuously seeking partnerships with organizations that serve communities underrepresented in the outdoor industry. We are actively adapting and updating our practices for hiring, marketing, board recruitment, program development, and training. Our staff is attending anti-racist training with the Adaway Group and is developing a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion policy. We are incorporating the Washington State Since Time in Memorial Curriculum, gender inclusive biology, and culturally responsive teaching practices.