197 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown
203-843-3112
[email protected] 
TwoCoyotes.org
Facebook.com/TwoCoyotes
Instagram.com/TwoCoyotes

Summary/services offered:
Two Coyotes Wilderness School is a nonprofit nature mentoring organization that connects people to nature, community and self. We design interdisciplinary programs that provide a dynamic environment for students to face challenges, engage their natural curiosity and cultivate an intrinsic love for learning that they bring back into the classroom and the rest of their lives.  Since 2000, we have honed our innovative and transformative programs through school day, child & caregiver, rites of passage, mentor-in-training, adult apprenticeship and summer camp programs.

What drew you to this profession?
Two Coyotes was founded in 2000 to help young people foster a connection to nature and their environment. Our work is a response to a history that began, on this continent, with the forcible removal of indigenous people from their land, continued as nature and wilderness environments became white spaces in America and persists today as many urban residents lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces in their community. Today’s youth spend more time indoors and in front of screens, whether at home or in school, than any other generation. We are committed to addressing these inequities and to help today’s youth foster a sense of self that is rooted in a sense of place.

How does your work differ from others in your profession? 
We believe that nature connection is our birthright as humans, and therefore every activity, game or song that we introduce helps foster connection with the earth, typically without kids being aware of the underlying purpose. Unlike other youth programs, Two Coyotes Wilderness School challenges young people to learn about themselves as they encounter the natural world and understand their own place in it. We believe our unique emphasis on mentoring, cultural practices and personal growth results in stronger intergenerational connections, deeper community ties, greater self-awareness and profound respect for the Earth.

What changes do you plan in 2021?
We have been running in-person programs successfully, with necessary COVID precautions, since June 2020. We will continue to offer the following in-person, outdoor programs in 2021: Coyote Village School Year Program, Summer Camp, Coyote Pups, Heartwood Wilderness Skills and Mentor-in-Training.

What is most important for Natural Awakenings’ readers to know?
Two Coyotes has a vision of creating a healthier and more connected future for all people. We inspire enthusiasm for learning in creative and invisible ways by utilizing the abundance of child passions as teaching tools. Our programs nurture values such as service, thanksgiving, leadership, self-trust, respect, teamwork, fun and discovery. See ad, page 59.