Foster the Earth is dedicated to helping vulnerable children and young adults in the foster care system through exposure to the great outdoors. By experiencing the challenges and healing power of extended time in the wild, participants will come away with a deeper respect for themselves, their capacity, and their place in the natural world.

Acquiring the skills to accomplish this will be a tool kit they can lean on throughout every aspect of their lives while becoming future advocates for wild places.

Foster the Earth is a 7-month program starting in March each year. We meet once a month for day hikes, where participants learn the skills needed to embark on a week-long backpacking trip at the end of the program.

Each month, our hikes add more distance and altitude, and leaders provide education in Leave No Trace, Wilderness First Aid, and backcountry travel. Through this journey, we deepen our connection to nature and create an experience of a lifetime.