Youth Leadership and Campus Programs

Inspire the Next Generation

Sense of Place Programs for developing voice, purpose, and care.

These programs are designed to help youth cultivate self-awareness, gain communication skills, and develop a sense of responsibility to the world around them.

Through focused place-centered tools and practices, Erica helps spark connections through an approach that combines reflection, creative expression, and shared experience. As a result, students and youth gain a deeper understanding of who they are, what they care about, and how they can lead with integrity.

  • Discover Their Story – Through creative writing, storytelling, and public speaking, participants learn to express who they are and what matters to them.

  • Build Meaningful Connections – Through teamwork and interactive activities, they form bonds with peers, mentors, and the places they explore.

  • Awaken a Sense of Stewardship – By deepening their awareness of history and nature, participants develop a personal stake in caring for their environment.

  • Step Into Leadership – Equipped with confidence, communication skills, and a renewed sense of purpose, they leave inspired to make a difference.

A guiided sequenced series of experiences to help youth:

“Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Erica Wheeler. I feel that she gave our students and faculty an invaluable opportunity to reflect upon on connections to the land, their personal history, and their best selves.  She also helped nurture the lifelong skills of writing and integration of creative work into the rest of ones education.  Most importantly, people came away with a renewed passion for doing the work of conservation and stewardship.
— Walter Poleman, Faculty Director, University of Vermont

Supporting Connecting Youth and Place
If you support youth through a school or organization, and offer seasonal programs or place-based learning experiences, I’d be glad to talk about offering a program.

Let’s explore what’s possible.
→ Contact Erica

Prior Partnerships Include:

AmeriCorps (Vermont State Parks)
Appalachian Trail Conservancy – Next Gen Gathering (Mount Greylock, MA)
Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program (Everglades National Park)
The Walden Woods Project – World Wide Walden Youth Summit
Wyoming Youth Congress on Children and Nature (Jackson, WY)
Youth Conservation Corps (The Trustees of Reservations)
Youth Leadership Academy (New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park)

Ready to Explore a Youth Leadership or Campus Program?

“Erica’s workshop and concert were exactly what our students needed. She helped them bring together all their ways of knowing, so they could better understand their relationship to place.” —— Jounreys School, Jackson Hole, WY