LIVING WILD Survival Teen Monthly, for ages 13-17
8 exciting weekends leading up
to a 5-day Survival Expedition

Living Wild is a deep nature connection and wilderness program for teens wishing to explore their own wildness, and develop their survival skillset in a fun environment with like-minded people, guided by experienced mentors.

We meet monthly for an overnight on Salt Spring Island (usually at our base near Ruckle Park) and will be working towards our final five day survival excursion.

We start in October. Most of the monthly weekends are one overnight (Friday- Saturday), as well as two longer sessions (Friday – Sunday), and the final five day trip (Monday-Friday in July 2027).

Location: Our base camp is on beautiful private acreage with access the hundreds of acres of wild park land. Some weekends and the final expedition will take place off-island (transportation provided from Salt Spring). Teens traveling to Salt Spring from off-island for the program can be met at the ferry.

By committing to an ongoing season of weekend adventures, teens will develop deep friendships and co-create unforgettable experiences that anchor them into their fullest selves.

The program is designed for teens to be closely supported and guided by highly skilled and passionate mentors all season long. The 8 exciting weekends will culminate in a 5 day survival excursion using only basic gear and what we have crafted and harvested ourselves.

Living Wild provides the spaciousness for teens to unplug and unwind from the pressures of school, screens and peers, while opening to nature and a culture of connection that generates full aliveness.

We are offering this course because we want teens to experience:

• A place to be fully themselves and build strong healthy friendships

• Real adventure and edge expanding experiences: Awakening the wild within all of us

• Skill building and competence in outdoor survival and interpersonal skills

• Caring support from experienced, inspring, compassionate mentors

• True safety and resilience through knowledge, awareness, and skill building

• Deep connection and a feeling of being at home in nature

• Play, laughter, creativity, music, and just an overall awesome time!

Each month we will focus on one of the core survival needs such as Shelter, Fire, Water and Food, and some weekends will have multiple themes. Each time we get together we will be building the skills and creating the gear we need for the final survival expedition where we will put everything we learn to the test.

Imagine walking into the wilderness with only the things you have made, some basic tools, and a group of people that you trust, knowing that you have the skills to take care of yourself and those around you.

Over the course of the year, you will learn or deepen your skills in:

• Shelter building

• Fire lighting and cooking (with lighters and matches, and without!)

• Navigation

• Finding and purifying water

• Edible and medicinal plants

• Fishing and harvesting wild foods

• Safe and effective tool use

• Canoeing and beach exploration

• Crafting and making our own survival tools

• Leadership, self-awareness and self-confidence, teamwork, problem-solving

• Community building and peacemaking skills

   

While there are no prerequisites for this course, it is requested that participants have a basic level of comfort being outside in all weather conditions and have a true interest and drive to learn the subject matter.

The final survival expedition is designed to expand participant’s comfort zones and will be challenging at points. We will be working together with the group to help everyone feel prepared and comfortable enough, and participants must be willing and interested in learning these skills.

We are excited to work with any teens that are interested and committed, and will meet them where they are at.

If you have any questions about the program and if it is a good for your teen, please contact us!

**Animal processing is a critical part of the program that will be woven into the weekends during the year, and is a big part of the 5 day Survival Expedition. We will harvest and preserve fish, seafood and meat for much of the food we’ll eat on the year end trip. Eating meat is not required, and though we will harvest and preserve plant foods, a level of comfort and openness to at least being around respectful and ethical animal processing is important. Please chat with us if you have questions or concerns about this.

PROGRAM DATES October 2026 to July 2027

October 2026:  Fri 23 – Sat 25

November 2026:  Fri 20 – Sat 21

December 2026:  Fri 11 – Sat 12

February 2027:  Fri 5 – Sat 6

March 2027: Fri 12 – Sun 14

April 2027:  Fri 9 – Sat 10

May  2027: Fri 7 – Sat 8

June 2027: Fri 11 – Sat 12 

July 2027: Mon 19 – Fri 23 Survival Expedition

Monthly weekends begin Friday at 5:00pm and end Saturday/ Sunday at 4:00pm.

Drop-off and pick-up locations on Salt Spring Island may vary, but will often be at our base camp on private acreage near Ruckle Park. Some sessions take place off-island.

We will provide optional home study activities to be completed between our meetings for teens that are interested.

All dates are subject to change due to extreme weather or other circumstances, however changes are rare.

The program runs October 2026 to July 2027 – no partial or drop-in participants. 

AGES : 13/14 – 17 years old

NOTE: The Living Wild Teen Program involves healthy levels of challenge adapted to meet each teen where they are at, though the nature of the program involves a level of physical and emotional maturity. The activities can be physically demanding at times. The emotional container is designed to support teens in this unique phase of their life, and we intend to create a space where teens can show up fully as themselves, be welcomed and supported by each other, and given the space to connect and share with each other authentically.

While the program is generally geared towards mature teens 14 and up, 13 year olds are welcome to apply and be accepted on a case by case basis through a conversation to ensure it is a good fit.

COST : $2550 

Various Payment Plans are available when registering. 

Program tuition cost includes all ferries, off-island transportation, park admissions, insurance, specialized gear and materials, a hearty Friday dinner (gluten-free and vegetarian options avaiable), and some food for the survival excursion.

Participants provide their own breakfasts and Saturday/Sunday lunch, as well as two breakfasts and lunches on the survival expedition.

Wisdom of the Earth is registered with various Online Schools, such as Heartwood, Navigate NIDES, and SelfDesign, and can accept funding through them for this program.