The Wilderness School


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About the Wilderness School

The Wilderness School is a program of the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families.  Founded in 1974, The Wilderness School is a Positive Youth Development program for young people aged 13 to 21.  It serves as an enrichment program for young people looking to make positive changes.  For many young people, the Wilderness School may serve as a prevention, intervention, or support service.  The Wilderness School programs are an enhancement to the work of social service agencies in Connecticut and are available to the community at large.

Studies have documented the Wilderness School's positive impact upon self-esteem, increased locus of control (personal responsibility), and interpersonal skill enhancement of adolescents attending the program.  Traditionally, the Wilderness School has also sought to emphasize the development of values such as cooperation, compassion, and responsibility among our student population.  

The Wilderness School is licensed by the State’s Office of Early Childhood as a Youth Camp.

Table of contents:

Programming:

Wilderness School programming is unique in nature and function.  Courses are group-oriented, strengths-based, and reflective.  Ultimately, each expedition, short course, and activity is “Challenge by Choice.” 

 Wilderness School Courses involve the intentional use of cooperative games, problem solving initiatives, challenges, and adventure activities, most often in an outdoor setting.  Courses are used to promote social skills, enhance self-concept and competence, and foster group cohesion. 

Wilderness Schools' programming is provided on a continuum of challenges and difficulty and is designed to serve participants who demonstrate various levels of strengths and capacities

Wilderness School offers an array of courses and programs to meet various participant needs that consider duration of programming (from 1 to 20 days), proximity to roads and amenities vs. wilderness, intensity of activities, and facilitator to participant ratios.  

Activities may involve rock climbing, Backpacking, canoeing, ropes/challenge course, service projects, wilderness camping, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and winter-camping.  Additionally, the program may facilitate mindfulness and reflective activities, therapeutic art activities, and teambuilding activities and challenges.

Expeditions

Please refer to the Course Catalog for descriptions and dates.

For Summer 2026 Wilderness School is offering 20-Day, 14-Day, 5-Day, and 4-Day Expeditions

Summer Youth Employment Conservation Work Program- Special Enrollment

Wilderness School expeditions and follow-up courses are cell phone and electronics-free

Enrollment Steps

Wilderness School Enrollment Office:860-653-8059

Enrollment Supervisor Email: Jane.Lohmann@ct.gov

General Email: WildernessJourney@ct.gov

Follow these steps to begin the enrollment process:

1. Video

All applicants have to watch a video before they can apply.

Watch the Expedition YouTube Video

2. Pre-screening call

Complete a telephone pre-screening. Call the Enrollment Office at 860-653-8059. All students undergo a pre-screening call before filling out any forms. Parents, referring agents, social workers, or providers may call on the student’s behalf. The call helps everyone understand program policies and find the best option for the student.

Please read our enrollment policies (PDF).

3. The referring agent fills out the pre-enrollment form:

All applicants will work with a referring agent to enroll. A referring agent can be a social worker, youth counselor, juvenile justice worker, mental health provider, mentor, teacher, counselor, or coach. Referring agents complete the Referral Form.  Once the referral form is complete, the referring agent helps the student complete the Student Agreements and Goals Form. 

4. The youth and their guardian complete the remaining enrollment forms:

Please submit a Health Assessment Record and complete the required application materials. Try to do so as early as possible as space may be limited in your desired expedition. Note that there are also medical forms that a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or prescriber must fill out and sign for any medications the student requires.

5. Student acceptance letters

We will issue letters of acceptance to the applicant, family, and referring agent. An in-person orientation may be available on request and as needed, and there will be a mandatory one-day orientation for the 20-day expeditions. Note: If an applicant does not meet our admissions criteria, we will not enroll them.

Enrollment Forms

Application materials for the parent or guardian to fill out:

Medical forms for the pediatrician, psychiatrist, or prescriber to fill out: (Medication forms also require guardian's signature)

  • Applicants only need the Medication Authorizations that correspond to their prescriptions. 
  • We require that all students have a Non-Prescription Medication Authorization on file that is signed by the guardian.
  • If any over-the-counter meds are added to the form, a doctor must sign off on each added medication.

Application materials for the Referring Agent to fill out:

Can students ever be made to attend the Wilderness School without their consent?

No. Students give their consent and need to be both motivated and willing to attend.

Packing List and Videos

Facility and Course Area

The Wilderness School basecamp was constructed in the late 1980s by agreement on State land under the management of The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).  The facility was opened in 1990 and after 36 years the facility is well maintained.  The program course area follows the Appalachian Trail corridor of the Taconic and Berkshire Mountain ranges of Connecticut and Massachusetts.  Additional programming takes place on the main campus and in many of the Connecticut’s State and regional parks that offer areas for Backpacking, canoeing, rock-climbing, and team-building activities.  Follow-up and Alumni programming may take place in the broader northeast region.

About our Staff

 A Director along with 4 full-time and year-round interdisciplinary staff with background and training in outdoor experiential education, social work, and counseling serve as administrators and supervisors.  Seasonally, the Wilderness School hires up to 28 crew leaders.   All Wilderness School Staff are responsible for the physical and emotional safety of course participants.  This obligation requires staff to restrict all activities within safe limits and to take adequate precautions to prevent accidents, injuries, and emotional harm.  Staff are also obligated to prepare participants through technical training and interpersonal support to meet the demands of the course.  Safety consciousness among all staff and course participants, as activities involving risk require prudence and care in their undertaking. The entire staff team is actively involved with and/or certified in all technical activities, risk management and fostering healthy social environments that promote growth and learning.  Staff receive on-going comprehensive education and training.   Training and supervision are designed to enable staff to perform effectively, conscientiously, and reasonably in fulfilling their responsibilities with special emphasis on reasoned judgment and team collaboration.
 

Contact the Wilderness School

Director: Aaron Wiebe: Aaron.Wiebe@ct.gov

Field Program Supervisors:

Phone: 860-653-8059

The Wilderness School
240 North Hollow Road
East Hartland, CT 06027

General Email: WildernessJourney@ct.gov

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