Our story
50 Years of transformative Adventures
From wild idea to wilder adventures
From a wild idea to bold adventures, since 1976, Bold Earth has been built on one core idea, that adventure creates connection. Today, that idea lives on through a close-knit community where teens travel the world, challenge themselves, and form friendships that last well beyond the summer.
Our Philosophy
Picture this: You’re cooking dinner over an open fire in the Colorado mountains, laughing as your friend recounts the hilarious scene from the riverside earlier today. Your phone has been tucked away for days, and instead of missing it, you’re completely absorbed in the magic of the moment.
This is what Bold Earth is all about; having genuine fun while trying things you’ve never done before. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, surfer, or camper to fit in here. Most of our students have never slept under the stars or navigated with a map, and that’s exactly the point.
We believe that spending time in nature, sharing meals with new friends, and tackling challenges together builds something that can’t be taught in a classroom: confidence that comes from actually living life.
Your Trust is Our Foundation
Your trust in us to take care in all aspects of our trips is something we take very seriously. We focus on hiring exceptional leaders many of whom come from professional backgrounds of outdoor leadership and guiding.
We believe that learning to assess and manage risk is part of becoming an independent adventurer. Our leaders empower students to participate in the risk management process, gaining real-world judgment from actual context.
50 Years of Adventures
What started in 1976 as a wild idea (that adventure could be a place for teens to connect more deeply with themselves and the world) has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of. Five decades later, we’re still guided by that same belief: the best summers aren’t just about where you go, but who you become along the way.
In our newest chapter, as of 2025, we have welcomed ARCC Programs into our family of travel brands, to expand our offering for the Bold Earth community.Â
The People Behind the Magic
Our trip leaders aren’t just guides, they’re the people who make 6 AM wake-ups feel like the start of something amazing. They’re skilled at turning “I can’t do this” into “I can’t believe I just did that!” and they genuinely love spending their summers helping teens discover what they’re capable of.
Working at Bold Earth requires emotional intelligence, leadership experience, humor, and serious dedication. It’s the hardest job they’ll ever love and it shows in how they care for our students.
Adventures with Purpose
Our trips aren’t service-focused, but we believe good travelers give back to the places they visit. Whether it’s trail maintenance in Colorado, beach cleanups in Costa Rica, or helping with community projects along the way, service is woven naturally into our adventures.
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These aren’t big, dramatic projects; rather, they’re small, meaningful ways to say thank you to the communities and landscapes that welcome us. Students often say these moments of giving back are some of their most memorable parts of the trip.
time to be bold
Your Bold Story Starts Here
Join one of our info sessions to learn more about what makes our adventures special. Or schedule a call with our team to get all your questions answered.
The opportunity to go bold awaits you – will you take it?