Jess Caldwell is the founder of Wildkind Outdoors, an organization dedicated to fostering profound connections with nature through education and adventure. As an outdoor educator, certified Wilderness Survival Instructor, and Wilderness First Responder, Jess brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her teachings. Her diverse skill set includes foraging, fishing, hunting, archery, and nature crafting, all aimed at empowering individuals to explore wild places with confidence and reverence.

Jess's journey into outdoor education was profoundly influenced by her upbringing in Central Oregon, where she spent her youth as a "free-range" child immersed in nature. Her experiences have led her to advocate for rewilding as a form of self-care, promoting a lifestyle that harmonizes with nature's rhythms. Through Wildkind Outdoors, she offers a dynamic platform of rewilding courses, live workshops, adventure field trips, and retreats, all designed to cultivate a greater reverence for our symbiotic relationship with all living things.

In addition to her work with Wildkind Outdoors, Jess has been featured as an instructor at events like Overland Expo, where she shares her expertise in survival skills, mindset, and preparedness. Her teachings are guided by the belief that we are being called to live in greater communion with ourselves, humanity, and the natural world. By awakening our senses and embracing life more meaningfully, Jess inspires others to approach wild places with reverence and confidence.

Jess’s ultimate mission is to inspire individuals to embrace a life of resilience, connection, and purpose by fostering a deeper relationship with the natural world. She believes that through the intentional practice of rewilding, we can rediscover our innate strength, creativity, and harmony with the earth. Whether guiding someone on their first foraging expedition, teaching essential survival skills, or coaching on how to cultivate a mindset of self-reliance, Jess encourages her students to step beyond their comfort zones and explore the wildness within and around them. Her work is a celebration of the human spirit's capacity to adapt, thrive, and flourish when we reconnect with nature’s rhythms and wisdom. Through Wildkind Outdoors, Jess continues to build a community of adventurers and seekers dedicated to living fully, boldly, and authentically in partnership with the natural world.