Climb the mother tree

Tree climbing

Strap in as we guide you up the 45′ “Mother Tree” Ponderosa pine. Once you reach the top, you’ll get to take in a stunning canopy view of our 156 acre Wilderness Preserve.

Eco-challenge & team play camp

Explore nature and environmental sustainability through hands-on activities and nature art with projects like solar cooking, sun prints, and other “earth crafts”. Session includes Eco-games such as Earth ball, parachute, and eco-scavenger hunts and culminates with climbing on our 24 foot Rock wall!

Frontier camp

Frontier camp

Delve into a pioneer’s past and relive the days of rugged outdoor living. Activities include Native American Indian skills, games and skills such as natural rope cordage, tomahawk throwing, Archery, gold panning. Rock Climbing and Tree climbing!

Camping at Santa Fe Tree House Camp

Tree House Camp

Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Santa Fe Tree House Camp offers diverse accommodations, including open sites, cabins, yurts, and tree tents. Guests can also enjoy amenities like an outdoor kitchen and showers. To find out more visit the Santa Fe Tree House Camp website.

A rock wall for your event

Mobile rock wall

Bring the excitement and thrill of adventure directly to your event with our 24-foot Mobile Rock Climbing Wall! Perfect for Special Events, School Fairs, Summer Camps, Birthday Parties, Corporate Picnics, and unforgettable Team-Building Experiences. Create lasting memories, inspire teamwork, and provide an exhilarating challenge for all ages and skill levels.

The family that plays together…

Join in the fun, laughter and learning in this family day of New Games and group challenges. These activities are not only fun and easy but encourage communication, cooperation and teamwork.

An evening with the owls

Evening with owls

Hoo…Hoo..HooHoo…listen and look as we “call” for these wondrous nocturnal birds. We’ll attempt to call in barn, great horned and even screech owls for first-hand observation. Fun owl stories and calming techniques for those first-time night hikers will help make the experience exciting and rewarding for the entire family. (Not suggested for very young children.)

Full moon hike

Full moon hike

Do you see a man in the moon or like many native people’s cultures, a rabbit? This and other “moon” mysteries will be discussed as we hike under the glow of the full moon. During the hike we’ll observe a different world composed of hidden landscapes and nocturnal wildlife, an experience not to be missed. […]

Outdoor fitness training

Have fun with others as you learn outdoor fitness and sport specific training skills. We will start you off with group warm-up activities and progress to more active exercises designed to promote improved conditioning and core fitness for such outdoor sports as climbing, trail running, back packing and mountain biking. Then, as you progress from […]

Map & compass navigation skills

Compass

Learn how to understand topographic map features and compass readings through both lecture and hands-on application. This one day course will provide you with the confidence and ability to plan routes, find your location when lost and navigate off trail in the wilderness. Class includes a compass course, manual and use of a map & […]

Contact us

Call 505-699-1695, email info@wildernessInstitute.org, or use the form below to get in touch with us.

Brad Childs credentials

Education

California State University, Northridge
Master’s Degree in Recreational Administration and Leisure Studies

Behavioral Science Centers, Hypnosis Motivation Institute
Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy

University of California (UCLA)
California Department of Education Adult Education Teaching Credential

Michigan State University
B.S. Parks and Recreation Resources

Certifications

Emergency response & safety

  • National Park Service Ranger (former)
  • Wildland Firefighter/EMT
  • American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Instructor
  • Water Safety Instructor/Life Guard Trainer
  • Mountain Rescue Team Member (Placer County Sheriff)
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
  • International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Provider

Outdoor Leadership & Instruction

  • Challenge Ropes Course Facilitator Trainer
  • Rock Climbing Instructor Trainer
  • USA Olympic Archery Instructor Trainer
  • Wilderness Survival Instructor
  • Whitewater River Guide
  • Colorado Hunter Education Instructor
  • Nordic Skiing and Snowshoe Instructor

Professional Development & Coaching

  • Coaches Training Institute Graduate
  • Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
  • Qualified Personal Strengths Trainer (SDI)
  • Certified Practitioner of NLP
  • Institute of Cultural Affairs Group Facilitation
  • Crisis Intervention and Stress Management Provider
Leadership and community involvement

Environmental Leadership

  • Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Board Member
  • California Sustainable Tourism Symposium Contributor
  • National Geographic Sierra Nevada GeoTourism MapGuide Contributor
  • Outdoor Industry Foundation, Business for Wilderness Contributor

Business and Tourism Leadership

  • Placer County Visitor Council Board Treasurer
  • Sierra North (NorCal Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance) Founding President
  • Multiple Chamber of Commerce Executive Director positions
  • Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Grant Writer/Committee Chair
Speaking and presentations (partial list)

Loyola Marymount University, School of Business
Executive MBA Leadership Seminar Instructor

Association for Challenge Course Technology International Conference
Crisis Management and Intervention Workshop Presenter

American Camp Association Regional Conferences
Outdoor Skills and Safety, Crisis Management Workshop Presenter

California Department of Education
Outdoor Recreation and Eco-Tourism Presenter

American Society of Training and Development
Adventure-Based Experiential Learning Workshop Presenter

Sunset Magazine Travel “Taste of Sunset Tourism Trade Show”
Eco-Tourism Presenter

Publications and media

Authorship

  • Team-Building and Leadership Challenge training manual
  • Co-author: State of California Outdoor Recreation Performance Standards
  • Executive Editor: Wilderness Guide publication
  • Articles on eco-tourism and outdoor safety for numerous publications

Media credits

  • “California Outdoors” Whitewater Rafting (California Tourism Council/NBC TV)
  • “The Coleman Guide to Camping” Naturalist (with Bruce Jenner)
  • “Rock Climbing” Celebrity/Talent Training (Lonely Planet Productions)
  • “Zig Zag Show” Yosemite Rock Climbing (Tokyo Broadcasting/Sony Television)
  • Multiple corporate training and outdoor adventure productions
Awards

National Park Service Unit Award
Executive MBA Leadership Seminar Instructor

National Environmental Education Award
National Association of Resource Conservation Districts

Golden Eagle Award
Outstanding contribution to The Wilderness Institute

LA County Recognition
Commitment towards facilitating and promoting equality for people with disabilities 

CSU Northridge Scholastic Achievement Honors
Outstanding Department Graduate Scholarship (two consecutive years)