Group Gatherings

Some moments deserve more than a rented hotel conference room. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a workshop retreat, or bringing together your organization for something special, the setting shapes the experience. At Santa Fe Treehouse Camp, your gathering unfolds within 156 acres of high desert wilderness preserve, where towering ponderosas, hiking trails, and unique treehouse accommodations create a backdrop that transforms any event into an unforgettable experience.

Some moments deserve more than a rented hotel conference room. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, planning a workshop retreat, or bringing together your organization for something special, the setting shapes the experience. At Santa Fe Treehouse Camp, your gathering unfolds within 156 acres of high desert wilderness preserve, where towering ponderosas, hiking trails, and unique treehouse accommodations create a backdrop that transforms any event into an unforgettable experience.

The Santa Fe Treehouse Camp Experience

A wilderness preserve designed for meaningful gatherings. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and adjacent to the Pecos Wilderness Area, our camp offers something no traditional venue can—the healing presence of nature combined with thoughtfully designed spaces for human connection. Your guests can explore miles of hiking trails, gather around outdoor fire circles under star-filled skies, and stay overnight in one-of-a-kind treehouse accommodations that spark wonder and conversation.

The preserve’s natural beauty becomes part of your event’s story. Wedding photos against mountain vistas, birthday celebrations that include wildlife spotting, corporate retreats where breakthrough conversations happen during quiet walks—the 156-acre setting provides endless opportunities for your gathering to become something more meaningful than what four walls could ever offer.

Types Of Gatherings We Host

Party

Available Add-On Adventures

Archery

Practical Details

Intimate to medium scale – comfortable accommodations for groups of 10-150 people depending on event type

Unique lodging options – cabin, treehouse accommodations, yurts, and tent camping for overnight gatherings

Meeting and gathering spaces – outdoor amphitheater, covered pavilions, and indoor meeting areas

Catering partnerships – local catering options or bring-cook-your-own meal flexibility

Seasonal availability – year- round programs with seasonal activity variations

 

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)