Wilderness Program History
The Wilderness Program at Earlham College is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country. Founded in 1970 by a small group of like-minded professors in the Natural Science division, the Wilderness Program has grown to become a comprehensive outdoor education program serving the students, faculty, staff, and greater Richmond community.Some of our historical highlights include.

1847 - Earlham College founded to train Quaker teachers for frontier towns

1968-70 - Discussion about the idea of a wilderness program by faculty members Doug Steeples (History), Cam Gifford (Biology), Dick Rodgers (Math), and Chuck Martin (Geology). Grant proposals written.

1970 - $100,000 grant from DeWitt Wallace (Reader's Digest) for staff training and equipment.

1.Mountain Wilderness began as annual offering in the Uinta Mountains of Utah
2.Water Wilderness began as annual offering in Southwest Ontario, Canada

1973-74 - Winter Wilderness began as annual offering; renamed Southwest Field Studies in 1975

1977 - Bicycling Wilderness offered; not offered again

1984 - Rocks & Ropes program started by students; climbing wall built in the old fieldhouse

1996 - Earlham changes to semesters>

1998 - Challenge Education low ropes course built in cooperation with the Dunn Mental Health Center of Richmond

1999 - Challenge Education high ropes course built with the support of a Lilly Foundation Grant

1999 - Earlham constructs new Athletics and Wellness Center. The Solomon Indoor Climbing Wall is built in the new facility

2001 - Minor in Outdoor Education offered



Contact Us:

Wilderness Programs
801 National Road West, Drawer 87
Richmond, IN 47374
phone:(765) 983-1327; fax: (765) 983-1207
Wilderness@earlham.edu