Change Agents just need a spark.

Destination Wilderness Youth (DWY) is a non-profit organization founded on the belief that early exposure to nature and environmental learning provide enriching experiences that will change students lives, the lives of their families, and the greater community. Engaging them to become change agents for their generation, they will lead their peers to solve complex environmental and sustainability challenges, possibly in green collar jobs of the future. Through this exposure and a challenge to set personal growth goals for career and college readiness now, they will feel emboldened to Explore, Conserve, and Lead.

Destination Wilderness has five core principles that revolve around 1) long-term engagement with minority youth in limited resource communities, 2) providing outdoor adventure experiences, 3) developing progressive leadership skills, 4) engaging in environmental stewardship, and 5) personal goal setting. Under the guidance of a trained campus teacher in an after school outdoor adventure club setting, fun lessons and hands-on activities prepare youth for field experiences that take place on scheduled weekdays, weekends, and extended school holidays throughout the year. Depending on grade level, these field experiences include hiking nature trails, visiting State and National Parks, local environmental community service projects, overnight camping trips, kayaking and canoeing, angling, geocaching, rock climbing, and competitive archery. Youth develop a positive self-identity by overcoming unique challenges, building strong relationships with peers and adult mentors, and discovering their potential through diverse exposure and confidence building.

Michael Hooten
Executive Director, DWY