Wilderness Program
Nature serves as a profound catalyst for awe, curiosity, playfulness, and adventure. The wilderness is integrated into the curriculum as a vital component of real-world learning, promoting essential life skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, reflection, and resilience. In partnership with EcoExperience, students immerse themselves in the diverse ecosystems of Northern California through structured camping trips and wilderness days throughout the academic year.
opportunities for personal growth
camping trips
Students begin their experience at Millennium with a beginning of the year camping trip, and end the school year with a camping trip. These trips offer more than just a chance to camp in the woods; they present opportunities for personal growth and learning in settings that might take students out of their comfort zones. Such environments are challenging yet rewarding, encouraging vulnerability and personal development. Many students regard these camping trips as pivotal to their educational journey by the time they graduate.
From the initial 6th-grade outing to the culminating 8th-grade adventure, students reflect on their growth and the strengthening of their community ties.
camping Activities
- Building shelters
- Participating in silent meditation
- Hiking and swimming
- Personal development activities
- Trust building exercises
- Sleeping under the stars
These experiences are central to fostering a robust school culture and community spirit. The transformation observed in students—becoming more mature, connected, and grounded—is a testament to the power of these shared wilderness experiences.
REGULAR ESCAPES INTO NATURE
WILDERNESS DAYS
Wilderness Days are interspersed throughout the school year, offering students regular escapes from urban life. These excursions into the Bay Area’s landscapes allow students to use nature as their classroom. Activities range from:
- Beach yoga
- Hiking Mount Tamalpais
- Visiting contemplative spaces like the Green Gulch Zen Center
Each Wilderness Day is thoughtfully planned to encourage deep connections with the natural world, enhancing students’ appreciation for the environment while reinforcing lessons learned in the traditional classroom.
CURATED EXPERIENCES FOR TRANSFORMATION
These outdoor experiences are carefully curated by guides and EcoExperience educators to create a series of rituals, traditions, and transformative experiences. These adventures allow students to explore both their inner selves and the outer world, ensuring that nature is not just a place to visit but a space to learn, grow, and thrive.
