Nonprofit outdoor education for all ages
and all people

Think Outside

Black Oak Wilderness School (or BOWS) is a queer founded 501c3 nonprofit created in 2017 by our current Executive Director Dane Nelson with the mission of getting people from historically under-resourced communities outside, having experiences that they would not otherwise have access to.  We offer a variety of programs to help youth and adults access outdoor spaces with confidence, including hiking, biking, archery, blacksmithing, camping, and summer camp. For two years we have contracted with 6 Bay Area high schools from Richmond to Sunnyvale whose student body is made up of more than 50% free or reduced price lunch students. We have actively sought out partnerships with like-minded organizations to grow our programs, and we are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Wildcat Canyon Community School running Summer Day Camps from grades K-12 and Overnight Camps for Grades 6-12.  20%  of the price of each registration goes towards scholarships for families who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it.  We hope to see you this summer! Register for camp here or learn more about our summer programs here: