The Wilderness Experience: Reclaiming the Tradition of Education

At Wyoming Catholic College, students are required to turn in their cell phones at enrollment and reconnect with the wilderness through a three-week backpacking trip. This policy fosters a sense of community and presence among students, allowing them to engage deeply with each other and their surroundings. The college sees this as a way to reclaim the Catholic tradition of education, which emphasizes the link between spiritual formation and experiencing the natural world. The goal is to gradually conform students to the image of Christ by fostering personal presence, reflection, and meaningful conversation, all of which are hindered by constant connectivity and digital distractions.