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 purpose of getting people from historically excluded or marginalized 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.