About Us

We are Way of the Wild (WOW) and we have a vision!

Do you hold a vision for yourself and your child?

What if all things were possible? What if the possible was only limited by our imagination, our vision? What if nature was a map to that imagination?  What if the way to the possible was revealed through an ever deepening relationship with nature?  What if our compass was no more than listening to our own intuitive hearts in the moments of our lives?  What would this hopeful message mean for us; all answers available all the time through listening to our hearts through ever deepening relationship with the nature.  Would you not want to give this to your child, to yourself? Would you not want your child to have a vessel and the tools to take him or her to any place he or she needs to explore?

A mystery contains all possibility. Nature, the manifest mystery, flows into the spaces created through relationship and fills them with new life. Each person who is part of that journey is on the path to discovery of the vastness of their humanity and the endless possibilities. The blocks are removed. This gift is our birthright, our salvation and our constant source of renewal, new life.  This is the gift of nature relationship an open window into never ending possibilities.

WOW teachers mentor children in the development of this relationship, through experiences that capitalize on children’s innate passion for life.  Using vision quests and group nature experiences, primitive skills, sacred hunt, naturalist knowledge, plant medicine, expressive arts, eco poetry, crafts, meditation and contemplative approaches, archery, bow making, scout skills and more, children have a chance to know themselves and access their inner wisdom, the only true power we have. We support the development of healthy, inclusive, connected communities that practice peace making principles and authentic communication.  All members are valued. All members are teachers and learners. These values are foundational to our mission. WOW teachers are a group of talented individuals who have a passion expressing their gifts in the service of people’s healthy development and self-determination. They are warriors, healers, scholars and artists themselves who deeply care to serve in this world.

WOW Programs seeks to develop a broad community base. Long term relationships with our students are key to our achieving our goals.  We seek to be present in our student’s lives not just through our weekly programs, but through supporting children in their larger community connections and through facilitated community events. Our students come from the home school community as well as the various day school communities. Our programs are aimed at children of all ages and both genders. However, we do offer gender separate time. We conduct programs in Boulder, Gilpin, Denver and Longmont during daytime hours, evening hours, some overnights and weekends.

Bio and contact information

Mary Margaret Sweeney, PhD has been mentoring children and adults in primitive wilderness skills since 2003.  Since 1988 Mary has taught applied and theoretical psychology and education in various colleges and corporations. Her interest in wilderness therapy inspired her to pursue combining these career interests. Mary has a passion for role modeling connection to nature as a path to greater awareness, and for serving others by sharing her knowledge and skills.  Mary draws on her practice of energy work, dream work, primitive skills, sacred hunting, fishing and ceremony to inform her program design.

Contact Mary at Way of the Wild Programs at mmsweeney@earthlink.net or (303) 823-7415 or (603) 554-7433 for further inf

Teaching philosophy and staff: Way of the Wild programs uses a child centered approach to curriculum design, holding a safe container while capitalizing on children’s and adult’s natural passion for learning. Our instructors are wilderness therapists and/or experienced wilderness skills teachers who love working with people.