Our story
Why Wild Earth was established
Wild Earth grew from a simple belief: young people need time, space and freedom to be themselves, to develop at their own pace, and to have a safe and supportive place.
Wild Earth was established to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive kind of environment for young people. One where they can spend meaningful time in nature, play, explore, build relationships, confidence and resilience and follow their own intrinsic motivations and interests.
Responding to a need
For some young people, conventional education can be a poor fit. They may need more freedom, more time outdoors, opportunities to learn through doing, or simply a space where they can feel comfortable being themselves.
Wild Earth offers an alternative space for young people who are home educated, creating opportunities for connection, learning and personal development within a supportive community.
We believe there is enormous potential in giving young people the time, trust and freedom to discover what interests them, take meaningful risks, make decisions and learn from their experiences.
Our approach to youth work and learning
At Wild Earth, we see young people as capable, curious and active participants in their own lives and learning. Rather than directing every aspect of their day, we create the conditions for young people to explore their interests, make choices, solve problems, take responsibility and learn through experience.
Our approach is rooted in self-directed learning, play, relationships, nature and participation. Adults are there to support, listen, encourage, facilitate and keep young people safe — while respecting their growing independence and agency.
Why nature, play and community matter
Nature provides a rich environment for exploration, creativity, challenge and discovery. It offers space to move, experiment, take appropriate risks and experience the changing seasons and natural world.
Play gives young people the freedom to imagine, create, negotiate, test ideas and simply enjoy being young. It is not separate from learning; it is one of the ways young people make sense of themselves and the world around them.
Community matters because growing up is not something we do alone. At Wild Earth, young people have opportunities to form relationships across ages, learn from one another, work together and be part of a community where they are listened to and respected.
Our vision for young people
We want young people to grow up with a strong sense of who they are, confidence in their own abilities and the agency to shape their lives and communities. We want them to be curious, resilient and connected — to themselves, to other people and to the natural world. Most of all, we want young people to experience being trusted, valued and taken seriously, and to have the freedom and support to discover what they are capable of.