The last few decades have seen the campus degenerate into a gated environment that stifles honest discussion and encourages distraction and degeneracy. At the same time it has failed to adapt to the new decentralized educational landscape. Institutional education is crumbling, and even the pockets of rigorous and wholesome academics do not adequately factor for the rise of independent scholars, podcasts, Substack, online lectures. But the online communities and lone academics are missing the vibrancy of in person conversations, the solace of a beautiful place for intentional contemplation, and the perpetuating gift of a community of thoughtful folks rooted in a real places.

Our mission is to pioneer a vision of the campus as a holistic environment that fosters rigorous academic engagement, hands-on learning, and an immersive experience in nature and community. In the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains folks can participate in fellowships, public conferences and clubs, accredited work-study programs, or just stop in to read, discuss, go for a walk. This is true campus life.

Residencies are available for non-students, writers, artists, and remote workers to create a rich community for fellowship.

Nature is a vital part of life at The Wagon Box. Our campus features a variety of outdoor amenities including:

The Wagon Box hosts conferences and events featuring leading intellectuals, writers and founders. These gatherings are designed to spark discussions, inspire new ideas, and create a community of thinkers and doers.

Past conferences and speakers have included: Paul Kingsnorth, Other Life, Passage Publishing, Doomer Optimism, Walter Kirn of the County Highway; writing retreats, homesteading symposia, and more.