Oakland Goes Outdoors

HLT is a 1-day course for novice and experienced hikers that provides leadership and facilitation skills for planning, organizing and leading fun, safe hikes with youth.

Everything included

Course materials, outdoor equipment, and trail snacks are all included in course price.

For all skill levels

No previous experience necessary. Learn by doing in a safe, friendly setting with your peers. 

Realistic & Practical

learn fun games for the trail, leave no trace, the natural history of open spaces, risk management, and navigation.

 

Things you will learn:

Course consists of six hours experiential learning on a trail in either the East Bay, South Bay, or San Francisco. Some of the topics covered during the training include: fun games for the trail, leave no trace, the natural history of open spaces, risk management, meal planning, navigation, and more.  In the South Bay, we have a partnership program with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority 

 

What’s included

  • Course materials are included.
  • Participants are expected to wear footwear and clothing appropriate for hiking and for changes in weather (hot, cold, rain, etc.). Bay Area Wilderness Training can provide boots and rain gear upon request.
  • Snacks included
  • Carpooling can be arranged

Skills learned

  •  group management
  • risk management
  • map reading and navigation
  • natural history
  • leave no trace
  • cultural relevancy through outdoor experiences
  • fun trail games and more.

Partial Access to Gear

  • Folks that complete HLT will gain partial access to our Gear Libraries.

Benefits for completing training

Experiences in nature can be educational, healing, community building, empowering.

Gain access to gear library for hiking gear

Alumni may borrow hiking boots, rain jackets and other outdoorwear for free from the gear libraries

Get Minigrants

Alumni are eligible to apply for $250 mini grants to support their first trip.

Access to low cost rentals for gear

Ask us about low-cost rentals of camping gear: free camping/backpacking gear loans not available for HLT alumni. To gain full access, take the FLT or WLT courses.

Who is it for? Anyone working with youth.  

Develop your personal outdoor leadership skills and
learn how to make outdoor experiences an integral part of your work.

Schools

  • Teachers
  • in-school aids
  • Principals

After School Programs

  • after school site-coordinators
  • after school line staff
  • coaches

 

Youth workers

  • directors of youth agencies
  • nonprofit organization youth leaders
  • anyone who works or volunteers with youth or works on behalf of youth

 

Pricing is tiered – preference given to South Bay applicants

MISSION Registration

$30

  • Meets criteria:

  • More than 80% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization identify as youth of color

  • More than 40% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization qualify for free or reduced lunch programs

General Registration

$90

  • Does not meet criteria:

  • Less than 80% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization identify as youth of color
  • Less than 40% of the youth attending the school or served by the organization qualify for free or reduced lunch programs

 COURSE DATES:

Stay tuned for future course dates!

What Our Students Say

“BAWT has been instrumental in helping me accomplish my goal of exposing youth to nature… On top of the wonderful experience of bonding, sharing, and laughing through thoughtful engaging activities, I learned that for years I had been doing things wrong (at least not the most organized, effective, and time saving way). My planning, preparation, and organizational skills increased two fold, minimally. The impact my new skills had on the next youth camping trip….priceless. I was so much more competent and confident. This relieved a huge amount of stress associated with the trip and made it far more enjoyable for staff and myself.”

Zotunde Morton

Youth Worker
Ujimaa Foundation

So excited to continue the growth of our club. This was our 5th completed trip this year, and I feel so grateful that it’s beginning to feel like a real institution and space respected in the school! Thank you BAWT, for your dedication to supporting all humans in experiencing the healing and power of Mother Earth. Excited to continue our partnership!

Mira Stern

Leadership High School
Exerpt from 2018 Wild Club Trip Reflection

Other courses

Wilderness Leadership Training

WLT is a 5-day immersive backpacking course and comprehensive outdoor leadership experience that gives teachers and youth workers the confidence and skills needed to take their groups on multi-day backpacking adventures. .

Learn more

Wilderness First Aid

WFA is a highly experiential 2-day class for everyone who wants to learn how to handle medical situations in the backcountry. You’ll gain the confidence and the skills to handle a first aid emergency.

Learn more

Frontcountry Leadership Training

Our FLT is an entry-level “car camping” course that covers all the basic skills and resources needed to take youth safely and successfully on overnight trips.

Learn more