Call of the Wild: A 5 Day Backpacking Adventure for Young Males

Description: What is the Wild? It is a terrain of uncertainty; a fertile ground for possibility. The intrepid explorer, willing to strike out into wilderness, sharpens those possibilities into focused purpose. Whether it’s charting a path on a mountain or finding a trail of inner resolve; the wild is a place beyond our knowing of what is.

As boys, we are raised and held in the comfort of our motherly garden. In this place we are cared for, nurtured, given our sustenance– one meal– one day at a time.

And then we begin to grow up. We start to feel curious about our own capabilities, for not only providing this sustenance for ourselves, but to provide for others as well.

We begin to ask– what is our purpose?

We can ask these questions of ourselves (and we must), but as with any adventure, it’s important to have guides help show us the way. 

Boys need men to light the path. To ask the right questions. And to listen. And boys need men to remind them that this world is meant to be explored. That we need to walk the edge of risk for growths’ sake; and that there is a difference between healthy and unhealthy risk-taking.

Trip Details: There is nothing like a backpacking adventure. Leaving home with everything you need strapped to your back; life gets stripped down to the studs. It’s the perfect opportunity to see what we’re capable of.

Boys attending this program will take an active role in everything the trip entails–helping choose the trail, providing and preparing meals, setting up camp– leadership (both personal and group) is a developmental trait emphasized throughout the program.

This is a 5 day backpacking trip (6 days in total), and there will be preparatory hikes and other pre-trip meetups (in person and virtual) also included in the program.

The group will choose the trail but the departure and return will be from Portland.

Please read through all the accompanying details to learn more!

Program Dates: August 3-8.