Wild Pilgrimage

Gestalt Backpacking Pilgrimage to the Esalen Institute

April 28 – May 4, 2025

Scholarship Application

All scholarship positions have been filled. If you are interested in being placed on a waitlist please feel free to fill out the application below.

More details about Wild Pilgrimage can be found here.

As part of our goal to increase access to healing and meaningful wilderness experiences to diverse communities, youth, and people doing good work in the world, we offer a small number of full or partial scholarship positions for each Wildtender program.

Scholarships are potentially available to any applicant regardless of background or identity. We especially encourage BIPOC applicants and people from/of marginalized communities or identities; people between the ages of 18-30; and people working in fields of social or environmental change, in helping and healing professions (healthcare, education, social work, therapy, counseling, etc.), or the arts.

Please note: this scholarship is only for the Wildtender backpacking portion of our pilgrimage; Esalen Institute accommodations for the weekend of May 2-4 are a separate expense and should be budgeted for (please find more info and pricing in the “Tuition Excludes” section of our program webpage).

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone

(###)

###

####

Date of Birth

What are your personal pronouns?

Please tell us about yourself

Please include information about your interests, occupation/work, and whatever other information about your identity or personal story that you feel is relevant for us considering your scholarship eligibility.

Please tell us about your interest in this particular program, and how you believe this experience will impact you in your life, work, and/or local community.

Please tell us a little about your previous hiking, backpacking or wilderness experience? (No experience is required.)

Do you have backpacking gear?

If not, Wildtender may be able to lend or supply you with rented gear.

Are you current Esalen Institute staff?

Are you an enrolled member of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County?

Please share your annual household income (as reported to the IRS for the last tax year), as well as any other relevant financial context that explains how a scholarship would support you at this time.

(If you are Esalen Institute staff, or an enrolled member of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, please disregard this question)

What investment in program tuition are you able to make (if any)?