Scheduled Outdoor Classes
For over 40 years, The Wilderness Institute has been a trusted leader in outdoor education. Now they are in the heart of the community and
In partnership with Santa Fe Community College
(Classes held at the beautiful 156 acre Santa Fe Treehouse Camp & Wilderness Preserve)
(SFCC) Build a Budget RV Conversion for Off-Grid Adventure Travel
“Boondocking” refers to camping off-grid and without amenities. It offers the “van life” perfect for enjoying pristine natural landscapes away from busy campgrounds. It’s also often free! We’ll demonstrate an interior remodel of a vintage Airstream upgraded to an off-grid, self-sufficient home on wheels. Join us to learn the ins and outs of designing and building your own low cost RV build-out with all the necessary components of self-sufficient travel and camping. We’ll also discuss safety, weather, environmental conditions and impacts, and legal issues of boondocking.
This course is presented by the non-profit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 4/19/2026
Sun., 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $149.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Native Plants Gathering and Use
Primitive peoples lived intimately with the land and knew how to utilize native plants to meet their everyday needs. From cordage, to natural dyes, to wild edibles, to medicinal herbs, plants were an important resource. Join us for a short forest hike to gather then process native plants to create your own useful and artistic items. Examples include a natural dyed hanging display, nature bracelet, basketry, fishing spear, and even some wild edibles to share at lunch beside a campfire! Dress for a hike and time outdoors and bring a lunch and refillable water bottle.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 5/16/2026
Sat., 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $149.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Campcraft and Outdoor Skills, an Overnight Camping Adventure)
Enjoy the wonder of nature on this fun, easy campout as you master the “old ways” of being self-sufficient. Increase your knowledge about camp tool use and safety, knots and lashing, tents, basic wilderness first aid and more! Leave No Trace wilderness ethics and safety will be our mantra. An evening campfire program and starlight hike will complete our day. A campcraft manual and dutch oven desserts will be provided. Bring your own food and camping gear and dress for outdoor living and short hikes. A basic camping and hiking equipment list will be provided.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 5/30/2026-5/31/26
Sat., 9:00 AM – Sun., 4:00 PM
Tuition: $299.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Eco-Challenge & Team Play Camp (Ages 8-12)
Go green and get loud in this high-energy Eco-Adventure! Master the power of the sun with solar cooking and nature art, then dive into action with Earth Ball games, parachute play, and our legendary “un-breakable” egg drop contest. You’ll tackle team obstacle courses and solve eco-scavenger hunts before ending every day with the challenge of the Rock Climbing tower! It’s all about building confidence and “challenge by choice” thrills. We provide all the gear—just bring a sack lunch and get ready to save the planet while having the time of your life!
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 6/15, 6/16, 6/17, 6/18, 6/19, 2026
Mon-Fri., 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $499.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Outdoor Adventure & Wilderness Skills Camp (Ages 8-12)
Become a total survival pro in this high-energy outdoor challenge! Master desert survival skills—like building water stills and cooking over a campfire—before using a map and compass to hunt for hidden treasure. Put your agility to the test as you conquer the slackline, smash
through obstacle courses, and challenge yourself on the Rock Climbing tower! With our “challenge by choice” motto and all gear provided, it’s the perfect place to build massive confidence and find your inner explorer. Just pack a lunch and get ready to climb!
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/6, 7/7, 7/8, 7/9, 7/10, 2026
Mon., Fri., 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $499.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Introduction to Backpacking and Wilderness Travel
On this exciting wilderness trip, you’ll learn core backpacking skills needed for safe, fun outings. Starting at our basecamp on Friday, we’ll meet to go over a pre-trip review before hitting the trail to a remote site. Once there, we’ll cover shelter setup, water management, and bear-safe food storage. Saturday includes exploratory hikes and ends with an evening campfire. We return to base-camp on Sunday afternoon. Bring your own food and camping gear and dress for outdoor living and moderate hiking (7-8 miles at about 8,000 ft elevation). It’s a wonderful way to enjoy fresh mountain air while gaining backcountry confidence. A backpacking equipment list will be provided.
This course is presented by the non-profit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/10/2026-7/12, 2026
Fri., 9:00 AM – Sun., 4:00 PM
Tuition: $399.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Traditional Archery Experience- Learning to Shoot Longbow, Recurve, and Crossbow
Archery is a historic skill that remains popular today for sport and focus. Join us to learn the basics of traditional target archery using a longbow, recurve bow, and crossbow. You’ll receive expert instruction and an archery manual that will have you hitting bullseyes in no time. We’ll enjoy light refreshments and a bit of fun competition. Your instructor is a certified USA Archery Instructor Trainer (Level 2) and Hunter Safety Instructor with many years of personal use and teaching experience.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/19/2026
Fri., 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuition: $99.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Kids on the Frontier (Ages 8-12)
Step back in time for an epic Pioneer Quest! Master the legendary skills of the rugged frontier as you learn Native American outdoor skills, craft your own natural cordage, and strike it rich while gold panning. Ready for some high-octane action? Aim for the bullseye with Archery and Tomahawk Throwing, then touch the sky with Rock and Tree Climbing! We mix and match these awesome adventures daily to ensure the ultimate outdoor experience.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/20, 7/21, 7/22, 7/23, 7/24, 2026
Mon.,- Fri., 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuition: $499.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Wilderness Survival Skills, A 1-Day Course
Would you know what to do in a survival situation or if you got lost while hiking? Gain the skills and confidence to be prepared in this hands-on experiential class. You’ll learn strategies for keeping safe and practice such techniques as self-rescue and signaling, securing shelter, purifying water, matchless fire making, avoiding natural hazards, knife use and safety, and wilderness first aid basics. Enjoy some freeze-dried snacks and make your own mini survival kit. You’ll come away with how to be safe, survive, and thrive in the wilderness! Come dressed for short hikes in the woods and bring a refillable water bottle and a sack lunch.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/25/2026
Sat., 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $149.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Mysteries of the Night Full Moon Hike
Walk by the light of the silvery moon and explore the nocturnal landscape as we observe wildlife at twilight, listen to the the nighttime sounds, and call out to owls in hopes of a response. As the moon rises, we we’ll pause to view the full moon through a telescope as it divulges its mysteries! Our walk ends gathered around a warm campfire to share stories and roast marshmallows.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 7/29/2026
Wed., 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuition: $99.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Wilderness Survival II- An Overnight Camp
Survival is an experience that combines personal attitude with knowledge and technical skills. Join us on this weekend overnight campout to learn important wilderness skills to keep you safe in emergency situations. You’ll learn life-saving skills such as building a shelter, matchless fire building, campfire cooking, finding and purifying water, making traps and snares, wilderness first aid, map and compass use, and signaling for rescue. You’ll also make your own mini survival kit, enjoy some freeze dried snacks, and come away with the knowledge to thrive in the wilderness! A basic equipment list and Survival Manual will be provided.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 8/1/2026-8/2/2026
Sat., 9:00 AM – Sun., 4:00 PM
Tuition: $299.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
(SFCC) Wilderness Survival III, Earth Skills, A Quest for Fire
Starting a matchless fire is a skill that builds true self-reliance. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn 3 ways to make fire by friction and practice safe knife use to craft a “feather stick.” We’ll also “baton” wood for kindling, carve wooden spoons, practice flintknapping, learn knots and lashing to build a shelter, and cook lunch over an open fire. Each skill contributes to your self-reliance in nature, helping you develop a deeper connection to nature. Dress for spending time outdoors and bring a lunch and refillable water bottle.
This course is presented by the nonprofit Wilderness Institute and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp and Wilderness Preserve.
Date: 8/8/2026
Sat., 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $149.00
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
Wilderness Institute Classes In Partnership With Santa Fe Treehouse Camp & Wilderness Preserve
FREE: Professional Training in Outdoor Leadership
An Outdoor Leadership Training Seminar
Have you ever wanted to guide groups on hikes sharing knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area?
Have you wondered how to keep groups engaged and excited about what you are sharing?
The Wilderness Institute. Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational organization is providing a free Outdoor Leadership Training program this spring. The program will provide trainees with a basic foundation of the skills required for leading groups in outdoor recreational and educational activities including leading guided hikes, public speaking, group interactive games and debriefing, nature trail development and maintenance, and interpretive naturalist presentations.
Trainees will gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely lead outdoor recreation activities, lead hikes along nature trails, and teach environmental ethics, principles and practices to children and family groups.
Internship and job placement opportunities may be possible upon successful completion of the training!
This program is sponsored by the City of Santa Fe, Office of Economic Development’s Go Local Go Different Fund.
For more information contact Brad Childs, Executive Director at info@wildernessinstitute.org or go to www.wildernessinstitute.org.
Enrollment is limited. Deadline to register is 5/4/2026 if not full before.
Dates: 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 2026
Thurs., 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuition: Free
Instructor(s): Brad Childs
Intro to Wilderness Navigation Skills, Map & Compass
“Don’t get lost this summer- learn to find your way in the wilderness!”
Learn how to understand topographic map features and read a compass through both lecture and hands–on application. This introductory workshop will include route planning, following bearings, finding your location when lost and navigating off trail in the wilderness.
You will practice and hone your new-found skills, knowledge and abilities in the field! Includes following a compass course, off-trail “bush-wacking”, and triangulation to find your location when lost.
(Use of a map & compass and student manual is included.)
16 years old to adult
Dates: 7/18/26
Sat., 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $150
Instructor(s): Brad Childs