WILD GIFT EX:CHANGE
EXPEDITIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE MAKERS
Why Idaho?
Idaho has A LOT more to offer than just potatoes. Our expeditions are based in the magnificent Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness of southern Idaho which is part of the most extensive contiguous protected wilderness area in the lower 48.
Why Wild Gift?
Wild Gift believes that expeditions, like Ex:Change, facilitate a connection with wild nature and a supportive community which are essential for lasting social and environmental change.
Wild Gift was founded by native Idahoan, Bob Jonas. Following an inspirational two-year capstone expedition across every region of Alaska (sea kayaking, backpacking, and dogsledding) Bob started an organization that offers emerging young leaders the "gift" of the "wild".
Wild Gift has evolved into a community of fellows, 60+ alumni, investors, donors, and partners who continually re-connect in the Idaho wilderness; a unique inter-generational culture of support, intimacy, and optimism.
What is Ex:Change?
Ex:Change, currently a pilot, is our first attempt to partner with other institutions in the higher education, corporate, and fellowship arena. By leveraging our local connections and experience running expeditions for social and environmental entrepreneurs, our objective is to facilitate a similar experience for small groups in alignment with our values and mission.
Facilitated by Wild Gift personnel and alums, we envision Ex:Change to be an ideal context for:
Idaho has A LOT more to offer than just potatoes. Our expeditions are based in the magnificent Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness of southern Idaho which is part of the most extensive contiguous protected wilderness area in the lower 48.
Why Wild Gift?
Wild Gift believes that expeditions, like Ex:Change, facilitate a connection with wild nature and a supportive community which are essential for lasting social and environmental change.
- We believe that reverence for wild nature is essential for leadership and the welfare of all people.
- We believe that the dynamism and diversity of wild places are vast resources for learning and creativity.
- We believe that diversity in race, age, gender, ability, and sexual orientation makes us a more capable organization.
Wild Gift was founded by native Idahoan, Bob Jonas. Following an inspirational two-year capstone expedition across every region of Alaska (sea kayaking, backpacking, and dogsledding) Bob started an organization that offers emerging young leaders the "gift" of the "wild".
Wild Gift has evolved into a community of fellows, 60+ alumni, investors, donors, and partners who continually re-connect in the Idaho wilderness; a unique inter-generational culture of support, intimacy, and optimism.
What is Ex:Change?
Ex:Change, currently a pilot, is our first attempt to partner with other institutions in the higher education, corporate, and fellowship arena. By leveraging our local connections and experience running expeditions for social and environmental entrepreneurs, our objective is to facilitate a similar experience for small groups in alignment with our values and mission.
Facilitated by Wild Gift personnel and alums, we envision Ex:Change to be an ideal context for:
- A fellowship program for social or environmental entrepreneurs to add a wilderness component to their program offering
- Corporate executives of an outdoors-affiliated company to coalesce around a new initiative or gear-launch
- A cohort of business leaders and venture capitalists to learn more about environmental ventures, barriers-to-entry, and how they can support emerging impact-driven entrepreneurs
- A conservation non-profit to do team-building and learn more about the role of impact-driven entrepreneurship in the environmental movement
Do I need to be in shape or be an outdoors-y person?
No, previous wilderness experience is not required. Basic mobility and fitness-level expected (ability to walk up and down a flight of stairs, lift 25 lbs).
We will use rustic-but-comfortable backcountry huts as our base camp. The out-and-back treks will be tailored to the ability-level and adventure-tolerance of each group. The purpose of Ex:Change is not to exhaust everyone through strenuous activity but rather facilitate enough activity that participants have meaningful connection with the landscape, each other, and their own bodies. The objective is to facilitate meaningful, goal-oriented conversation, not win a fitness medal.
How much does it cost? How big does a group need to be?
In its pilot phase, our estimated cost is $1,000/person. This includes logistics prep, meals and snacks, trek facilitation, accommodation, and travel within Sun Valley, Idaho. This does NOT include air travel (and possible car rental) to-and-from Sun Valley.
Because this is a pilot program, we have priced Ex:Change in such a way that our margins are very slim (virtually at-cost). Our expectation that the group we partner with appreciates the value of this "discounted" rate, and is willing to provide constructive feedback to help us develop Ex:Change.
Our minimum group size is 5, maximum 10 (not including our Wild Gift facilitators).
How long will I be away?
You should plan for a seven-day commitment: two total days of travel to-and-from Sun Valley, and five days of facilitated activities in the backcountry.
When is Ex:Change available? How do I sign up?
Our goal is to pilot at least one Ex:Change trek in 2020, and we have availability between July-October. We have some limitations within that range but also have general flexibility to schedule a trek that works best with your calendar. It's also not too early to explore dates for 2021.
To learn more and reserve a date contact [email protected]
No, previous wilderness experience is not required. Basic mobility and fitness-level expected (ability to walk up and down a flight of stairs, lift 25 lbs).
We will use rustic-but-comfortable backcountry huts as our base camp. The out-and-back treks will be tailored to the ability-level and adventure-tolerance of each group. The purpose of Ex:Change is not to exhaust everyone through strenuous activity but rather facilitate enough activity that participants have meaningful connection with the landscape, each other, and their own bodies. The objective is to facilitate meaningful, goal-oriented conversation, not win a fitness medal.
How much does it cost? How big does a group need to be?
In its pilot phase, our estimated cost is $1,000/person. This includes logistics prep, meals and snacks, trek facilitation, accommodation, and travel within Sun Valley, Idaho. This does NOT include air travel (and possible car rental) to-and-from Sun Valley.
Because this is a pilot program, we have priced Ex:Change in such a way that our margins are very slim (virtually at-cost). Our expectation that the group we partner with appreciates the value of this "discounted" rate, and is willing to provide constructive feedback to help us develop Ex:Change.
Our minimum group size is 5, maximum 10 (not including our Wild Gift facilitators).
How long will I be away?
You should plan for a seven-day commitment: two total days of travel to-and-from Sun Valley, and five days of facilitated activities in the backcountry.
When is Ex:Change available? How do I sign up?
Our goal is to pilot at least one Ex:Change trek in 2020, and we have availability between July-October. We have some limitations within that range but also have general flexibility to schedule a trek that works best with your calendar. It's also not too early to explore dates for 2021.
To learn more and reserve a date contact [email protected]
WILD GIFT • P.O. Box 1151, Hailey, Idaho 83333 • 208-471-8124 • [email protected]