Transparency in Wildtender Pricing

Wildtender supports dynamic guides and teachers who have devoted decades of their lives to their respective traditions, modalities and wilderness skills. In acknowledgment of their unique gifts and dedication, we pay our guides above market guiding rates. We also set an unusually high guide-to-participant ratio to provide the strongest and safest container for you to explore inner and outer landscapes. In sourcing our meals and other supplies, we patronize small businesses, and organic, sustainable brands.

Each Wildtender program also requires the management of a unique and demanding set of logistics, the creation of a dynamic and thoughtful program curriculum, evaluation of wilderness and seasonal conditions, scouting and planning of trail routes, countless correspondences with participants, training of guides, and many other tasks that all add up to an enormous investment of organizational time, energy, and expense. In short, running Wildtender is a huge and complex labor of love.

Sliding Scale Tuition

Understanding that Wildtender participants have a wide range of economic circumstances, we have created a sliding scale tuition model to allow you to choose the level of tuition that is appropriate for you. Thank you for supporting us with the highest level of investment available to you as we strive to strengthen local and sustainable economies, appropriately honor the wisdom carried into these programs by our guides, execute programs with precision and care, and carry out meaningful work in the world.

Here are few things to consider when selecting your tuition level: Do you have savings, investments, inherited wealth or financial family support? Do you own assets like a home or new vehicle? Do you have disposable income for recreational travel? If the answer is “yes” to one or more of these questions, we encourage you to consider investing at a higher level of the sliding scale. Ultimately we trust you to choose what is right for you. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

$1,550 – Supported Rate (covers a portion of the cost of your program)
$1,950 – Sustainer Rate (covers the cost of your program)
$2,350 – Helper Rate (covers the cost of your program and contributes some financial support for another)
$2,750 – Benefactor Rate (covers the cost of your program, contributes generously to the financial support of another, and supports Wildtender’s ongoing organizational capacity and stability)

Scholarship & Payment Plans

Wildtender offers scholarship based on application. We are happy to accommodate payment plans as well, please email us to inquire.

Steps to Register:

Please note: registration may be difficult on smart phone or tablet, the process is easier on a laptop or desktop computer.

1. Please carefully review our Waiver, Terms & Conditions and Backpacking Eligibility Criteria. It is essential that you fully understand our payment and cancellation policies, agreements and expectations before making your commitment.

2. Select a tuition level from the dropdown menu.

3. Click the “ADD TO CART” button, then click on shopping cart in the top right corner of this page to check out, complete forms and pay.

4. Wildtender will be in touch to confirm receipt of your payment and your place in this program, or to follow up with any questions. Please note: if Wildtender sees an issue with your registration, a full refund will be given.