One-to-one time with a trained, nature-based wellness mentor in an outdoor setting. For ages 8-25. Sessions begin in mid-January, with both daytime and after school slots available. After initial 12 weeks, there is an opportunity to continue ongoing mentoring.
Sessions typically begin with a pickup from home or school. Participants spend time outdoors with their mentor, often share a meal or snack, and are dropped home afterward, full of stories from their adventures and with new skills.
Explore the outdoors with peers close to your age, guided by nature-based wellness mentors. Participants spend time outdoors with their mentors and groups, often share a meal or snack, are returned home full of stories from their adventures, and with new skills.
Groups open: elementary (8-11), middle school (12-14), or high school (15-17). Your group meets at the same day and time every week.
Transportation and gear are provided, as needed.
A way to deepen participants’ connection to nature through longer group sessions that take place in natural spaces that are a little further from their local stomping ground. Each day follows the same gentle rhythm as our weekly sessions: a grounding arrival, time outdoors with hands-on activities that fit the day’s setting, shared food, and a chance to reflect together before heading home. Adventure Days are a great way to meet others, try new places, and keep the connection going.
Young people who are participating in 1:1 mentoring or small groups are welcome to join. Transportation and gear are provided, as needed.
Establishing rhythm, safety, and nervous system regulation as the foundation for all other growth.
Developing self-awareness, meaning-making, and the capacity to understand one’s own inner experience.
The entire program is designed to move youth through a range of vital confidence and resilience-building experiences. Each element helps youth grow skills in self-esteem, communication, emotional awareness, connection, and purpose.
for Safety & Belonging
Getting grounded. Arriving, settling in, and feeling at home in nature, with others, and in your own body. Activities build safety, trust, and a sense of belonging.
for Feeling & Acceptance
Finding power.
for Voice & Expression
Speaking up. You find language spoken, written, or nonverbal for what you’ve experienced and who you’re becoming. Activities support creative expression, narrative identity, and communication.
for Integration, Celebration, & Continuity
Roots to Rise is for Bay Area youth who want a hands-on, outdoors way to build skills, connection, and resilience. Growing up in a fast-changing, often challenging world isn’t easy. Our program helps young people discover their sense of purpose and develop the skills to thrive.
This program is a strong fit for young people who:
No diagnosis, referral, or outdoor experience is needed. Participants just need to be willing to show up and try. Roots to Rise can work alongside therapists, schools, and providers a young person has (as needed). This program is particularly well-suited for young people who haven’t responded well to conventional approaches, or who simply need a more hands-on, outdoors-oriented way of being supported.
Roots to Rise is not a crisis program and is not a substitute for therapy or psychiatric treatment. If your child is currently in a mental health crisis, experiencing active suicidal ideation, or requires a higher level of clinical care, we will work with you to connect them to the right services.
Communities we serve:
Enrollment is open now. Spots are limited and filled on a rolling basis.
1:1 Mentoring
3-hour session
Customized individual evidence-based curriculum
Shared Meal included
Roundtrip transportation provided
1 on 1 connection with trusted mentor
$285 per 3 hour session (sliding scale available)
Small Groups
2.5-hour session
Specialized group evidence-based curriculum
Snacks included
Transportation provided as needed
Connect with kids in the same age group
$100 per 2.5-hour session (sliding scale available)
Adventure Days
5-hour session
Outdoor recreation skill building
Lunch & Snacks included
Transportation provided as needed
Peer connection & epic outdoor adventure opportunity
$85 per daylong Saturday trip (sliding scale available)
Thanks to our philanthropic partners, families can be considered for a reduced fee or scholarship. On your application, answer “yes” or “I’m not sure” to the financial assistance question, and we’ll talk through options on your introductory call.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
If your family is able, please pay the full program fee and consider donating to our scholarship fund.
Roots to Rise Fall Program Cost includes:
Roots to Rise philanthropic partners cover costs for families in need. All families are reviewed for partial and full scholarships. The Enrollment Form asks you to confirm if you want to discuss scholarship options. Sliding scale and payment plans are also available.
Program cost includes: weekly outdoor sessions, handcrafted mementos to mark completion and goal-setting, meals and snacks, use of raincoats and hiking shoes, and transportation to and from sessions, as needed.
Nature-based Mentoring
1:1 Mentoring
Small Groups
Adventure Days
Full cost
$95 per hour
$40 per hour
$85 per day
No one turned away for lack of funds. The Enrollment Form will ask you to confirm if you want to discuss scholarship options.
For questions about cost, scholarships, or payment plans, please contact us.