Teen Programs
Connect with Nature & Come Alive
Depth. Skill-building. Leadership. Responsibility. Fun. Camaraderie. Belonging.
Living Earth School’s teen programs invite young people into deep relationship with the natural world, themselves, and one another. Through immersive, place-based experiences in outdoor nature programs, teen build confidence, resilience, belonging, and a sense of responsibility for the living earth. Our programs support teens in growing into grounded, capable, and compassionate humans. Explore our year-round nature-based teen programs and camps for ages 12-18. Click here to jump to Teen Summer Camps or School-Year Programs.
Why Teens Thrive Here
- Belonging: A supportive peer community where everyone is welcomed
- Leadership: Opportunities to mentor younger students and guide group experiences
- Responsibility: Real-world skills that foster independence and confidence
- Connection: Deep relationships with nature, self, and community
- Fun & Camaraderie: Adventure, laughter, and shared accomplishments
In a world where teens often feel pressure to perform or fit in, Living Earth School offers something different: a place to slow down, be authentic, and come alive.
Here, teens discover that they are capable, needed, and part of something larger – a thriving community and a living earth. Teens leave with stronger identities, clearer purpose, and a sense of place in the world.
Our Teen Nature Programs
Living Earth School offers a diverse range of nature-based teen programs in Central Virginia, including:
- Advanced Workshop Day Camps and Advanced Overnight Camps for immersive outdoor experiences
- River & Backpacking Expeditions featuring wilderness travel and skill-building
- Counselor-in-Training opportunities to put mentoring skills into practice with younger students
- Nature Studies Homeschool Programs in Charlottesville, Goochland/Richmond, and Staunton
- Teen Apprentice Programs supporting meaningful transitions into young adulthood
Each program is designed to nurture leadership, resilience, ecological awareness, and a strong sense of belonging.
(If you’re an adult interested in deepening your relationship with nature in a community setting, we offer programs designed with you in mind. You can find them here.)
