Mighty Boots Wilderness Project

Mighty Boots Outdoor Leadership Certification:

Goals: Our goal is to offer an affordable outdoor leadership program to underserved youth. Over the course of 7 trips, a cohort of youth will earn a Mighty Boots Outdoor Leadership Program Certificate of Completion, their CPR/First Aid Certification, and the skills to put towards their future college or career goals. Our program runs trips locally so that participants can have replicable experiences in nature. We want youth to develop confidence in accessing their local outdoor space for the rest of their lives. We supply all materials for free (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and climbing gear) and the majority of trip costs are subsidized by our corporate partnerships. 

Sample Schedule: 

• Adventure #1: Easy day hike focused on relationship and trust building. Introduction to local ecology. 

• Adventure #2: Moderate day hike focused on local desert ecology and developing confidence in finding trailheads and following trails. 

• Adventure #3: Youth will earn their CPR/First Aid certification over the course of a day.

• Adventure #4: Strenuous hike focused on developing confidence in physical ability and overcoming challenges. Youth will be amazed with what they are capable of. 

• Adventure #5: Outdoor rock climbing experience that focuses on confidence and team building. Youth will learn proper climbing safety, knots, and how to belay. 

• Adventure #6: Overnight camping experience focused on leadership. Youth will work together to plan their own camping trip. They will budget for food, plan the menu, organize/setup gear, learn fire building/safety, and practice outdoor cooking. 

• Adventure #7: Environmental Service Project. Youth will develop a service project focused on sustainability or environmental conservation. ​

Our Social-Emotional Learning Model:

Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Our social-emotional learning goals include:

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• Confidence and Self-Esteem Building

• Leadership Development 

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Social Awareness/Responsibility

• Relationship Skills

• Responsible Decision-Making

Youth will build these skills through experiential learning, leadership opportunities, and cooperative projects. They will keep a journal throughout the program that offers them the opportunity for self-reflection as well as continuing to develop their literacy skills. 

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Cost: Full price $500 per youth. Reduced price $100 per youth. Full scholarships available. 

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*Staff are certified Wilderness First Responders. All staff are fingerprinted and/or background checked. Transportation is not provided. 

Hiking: Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced hikes available. These adventures focus on learning about the Sonoran Desert and local ecology as well as gaining confidence in accessing local nature spaces and disconnecting from technology. 

Cost: Full price $25 per person. Reduced-cost price $5 per person. Full scholarships available. 

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Rock Climbing: Introductory rock climbing experience focused on developing confidence. This is a great opportunity for team building and social-emotional development. All gear is provided. 

Cost: Full price $100 per person. Reduced-cost price $25 per person. Full scholarships available. 

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Camping: One night front country camping trip. This trip focuses on developing leadership and gives opportunities for experiential learning. This is a great chance to get youth to disconnect. All gear and food is provided. 

Cost: Full price $125 per person. Reduced-cost price $50 per person. Full scholarships available. 

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Backpacking: Overnight back country trips available. Please contact us directly so we can develop the trip that meets your needs. 

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