Mission & Philosophy
We truly believe "it takes a village," but we worry that there aren't many villages left. So, we have set out to build a village of individuals bound in our commitment to caring for one another and for the planet.
Through a variety of program opportunities, The Wild Communities Foundation provides community members an opportunity to unplug and reconnect with their inner-wild-child in the wild jungles of Hawai’i and the wide open spaces of Montana. We believe that by rewilding ourselves and our communities, we restore sacred ancestral relationships between human and non-human relatives, and we forge authentic pathways to explore and grow.
Our mission is to cultivate an empowered, deeply connected, multi-generational community of wayfinders who will co-create an environmentally and socially sustainable future.
We hope to impart a lifelong conservation ethic and profound appreciation for the preservation of wilderness areas on this planet because open space, dark nights and quiet moments are necessary to our survival as human beings.
Each individual engaged in a Wild Communities Foundation program will:
Develop transformational, lifelong relationships with both humans and non-humans
Develop a personal stewardship ethic and community-minded value system
Develop authentic self-confidence, integrity, and grit
Nurture within themselves and in others the Wild Communities Foundation 10 Core Traits
Experience diverse, impactful opportunities for intentional community engagement
Engage in innovative social and environmental entrepreneurship and/or stewardship opportunities
Six Tenets to Guide Our Work
Unstructured time outside is beneficial and necessary to our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Everyone deserves an opportunity to cultivate a meaningful and personal relationship with the natural world.
When we nurture our own “wildness” through open play outside and intentionally curated hardship, we develop a healthy self-esteem and strong sense of self-efficacy.
Intergenerational communities are essential for our innovation, growth and happiness.
Our community stewardship ethic is cultivated when we are held accountable to one another and when we understand that both human and non-human entities are part of our community.
Young people will provide significant, meaningful contributions to their communities when invited to collaborate in multi-age settings and trusted with impactful responsibilities.
Wild Kids Ten Core Traits
We believe that everyone deserves unstructured adventures and meaningful roles as community stewards in order to develop honest self-confidence and genuine faith in others. Through open exploration, authentic challenges, imaginative play and shared leadership, the Wild Communities Foundation seeks to develop and nurture 10 core traits.
MINDFUL ENGAGEMENT
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS & INITIATIVE
INSATIABLE CURIOSITY
IMAGINATIVE PLAY
HEALTHY SELF-EFFICACY & SELF-SUFFICIENCY
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING & A SOLUTION- ORIENTED MINDSET
FLEXIBLE THINKING
COURAGEOUS CHOICES
CONSISTENT & AUTHENTIC GRATITUDE
COMPASSIONATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH SELF, OTHERS & NATURE
