We are former staff and friends of the Wilderness School.

More than one hundred people attended the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness School in 2023. Can you believe it–50 years and counting! Following the event, a group of the School’s “elders” talked about how to ensure that the Wilderness School continues to grow in its impact for another 50 years.

To accomplish this goal, the non-profit, “Friends of the Connecticut Wilderness School, Inc.” has been established with the mission “to enhance, advocate and support the Wilderness School.”

We’ve identified these initial initiatives:

•  Establish a nonprofit corporation. This is completed.

• Secure approval from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non profit. The IRS has approved the Friends of the Connecticut Wilderness School as a tax exempt public charity. 

• Publish a book on the 50 year history of the Wilderness School, as told through stories from past students and staff, referring agency people, and Department of Children and Families’ administrators and staff, to raise awareness and celebrate our amazing School. The book project has begun.

• Provide broader and more extensive opportunities for current Wilderness School participants and alumni through scholarships and tuition funding. These scholarships are to provide educational, vocational, and experiential opportunities that may further enhance a young person’s growth and development beyond Wilderness School programming.

  • Raise money to support these initiatives.  

Please be aware that we are not a state agency, but an independent, nonprofit corporation founded exclusively to support the Wilderness School.