Everything Included

Course materials, outdoor equipment, food, and transportation are all included in course price.

Realistic and practical

learn fun games for the trail, leave no trace, the natural history of open spaces, risk management, and navigation.

For all skill levels

No previous experience necessary. Learn by doing in a safe, friendly, entry-level setting with your peers. 

Course consists of six hours experiential learning on a trail in either the East Bay, South Bay, or San Francisco. Some of the topics covered during the training include: fun games for the trail, leave no trace, the natural history of open spaces, risk management, meal planning, navigation, and more.  In the South Bay, we have a partnership program with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority 

What’s included:

  • Course materials are included.
  • Participants are expected to wear footwear and clothing appropriate for hiking and for changes in weather (hot, cold, rain, etc.). Bay Area Wilderness Training can provide boots and rain gear upon request.
  • Snacks included
  • Carpooling can be arranged

Skills learned

  •  group management
  • risk management
  • map reading and navigation
  • natural history
  • leave no trace
  • cultural relevancy through outdoor experiences
  • fun trail games and more.

Partial Access to Gear

  • Folks that complete HLT will gain partial access to our Gear Libraries.

Benefits for completing training

Experiences in nature can be educational, healing, community building, empowering.

Gain access to gear library

Alumni may borrow backpacking gear, tents, boots, outdoorwear and more for cheap or free  from the gear libraries.

Get Minigrants

Alumni are eligible to apply for $250 mini grants to support their first trip.

Access to low cost rentals for gear

Ask us about low-cost rentals of camping gear: free camping/backpacking gear loans not available for HLT alumni. To gain full access, take the FLT or WLT courses.

Who is it for?

Anyone working with you​th.  

Develop your personal outdoor leadership skills and
learn how to make outdoor experiences an integral part of your work.

Schools

  • Teachers
  • In School aids
  • Principals

After School Programs

  • After school site-coordinators
  • After school line staff
  • Coaches

Youth workers

  • Directors of youth agencies
  • Nonprofit organization youth leaders
  • Anyone who works or volunteers with youth or works on behalf of youth

Other Courses

Hiking Leadership Training

1-day course for novice and experienced hikers provides leadership and facilitation skills for planning, organizing and leading fun and safe hikes with youth.

Learn More
Wilderness First Aid

WFA is a highly experiential 2-day class for everyone who wants to learn how to handle medical situations in the backcountry. You’ll gain the confidence and the skills to handle a first aid emergency.

Learn More
Wilderness Leadership Training

WLT is a 5-day immersive backpacking course and comprehensive outdoor leadership experience that gives teachers and youth workers the confidence and skills needed to take their groups on multi-day backpacking adventures. 

Learn More

Pricing is tiered – preference given to South Bay applicants

Mission Registration

$45

Meets criteria:

More than 80% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization identify as youth of color
More than 40% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization qualify for free or reduced lunch programs

General Registration

$100

Does not meets criteria:

Less than 80% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization identify as youth of color

Less than 40% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization qualify for free or reduced lunch programs

2022 Courses

Stay tuned for future course dates!

High quality training and gear

G et high quality training and the gear you and your group need for a successful backpacking or camping trip.

Social justice nonprofit

O ur goal is to help create equitable access to the outdoors for marginalized youth

Over 10,000 trained

O ver the years, we have trained over 10,000 teachers, youth workers, troop leaders and after-school program leaders.

Comparable training to more pricier options

O ther week-long outdoor courses can cost thousands of dollars.

Access to one-of-a-kind gear library

Remove barriers to entry, gain access to top notch outdoor gear, for you and your group, for free.

10,870

Youth Served in 2019

361

Youth trips in 2018

240

Leaders trained in 2018

18

Training courses in 2018

Other Courses

Wilderness Leadership Training

1-day course for novice and experienced hikers provides leadership and facilitation skills for planning, organizing and leading fun and safe hikes with youth.

Learn More
Wilderness First Aid

WFA is a highly experiential 2-day class for everyone who wants to learn how to handle medical situations in the backcountry. You’ll gain the confidence and the skills to handle a first aid emergency.

Learn More
Frontcountry
Leadership Training

Our FLT is an entry-level “car camping” course that covers all the basic skills and resources needed to take youth safely and successfully on overnight trips.

Learn More