Aaron Dodds is the Founder and Director of Into the Wild Adventures and Co-Founder of Soaring into the Wilderness Inc. His work is grounded in a simple belief: that connection to Country, nature, community, mentors and purpose can change the direction of a young person’s life.
He believes every young person is one meaningful connection away from change, and that nature provides one of our most powerful spaces for healing, reflection and growth.
Aaron’s passion for outdoor health is shaped by lived experience. Growing up in a volatile environment while navigating trauma and neurodiversity, he came to understand the importance of belonging, safe relationships and positive role models. His mother, a teacher and principal, worked extensively with children with additional needs, including First Nations young people and those experiencing disadvantage. During periods of school exclusion, Aaron spent time alongside her, learning through connection with the young people she supported—experiences that first sparked his commitment to youth work.
His connection to Country was equally formative. His father, a bushman, instilled a deep respect for the bush, coastline and living systems. Guided by Elders in his community, Aaron learned to see nature not just as a place to explore, but as a place to heal. Time on Country, in the bush and on the ocean became the foundation of his own healing journey and continues to shape his practice today.
Now in its seventh year, Into the Wild Adventures has grown into a leading provider of preventative, nature-based wellbeing programs across the Mid Coast and Port Macquarie-Hastings regions. Working on Worimi and Biripi Country, the organisation supports up to 70 young people each week through outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, independence, leadership and connection.
During school holidays, Connection and Confidence programs expand to support up to 300 young people through immersive experiences designed to strengthen relationships, self-awareness and life skills. The organisation also works alongside schools and is progressing registration with the Department of Education to deliver outdoor education and wellbeing programs that support student engagement and emotional development.
To increase access to early intervention, Aaron co-founded Soaring into the Wilderness Inc., a registered charity providing mentoring and inclusive community programs for young people and families facing barriers to support. Programs include basketball, rugby, surfing, fishing, bushwalking, bike building and cultural skills. Its flagship Echoes of Leadership program offers a two-year mentoring pathway focused on leadership, personal development, community contribution and future employment.
Aaron’s career spans community services, outdoor leadership, sport and business. He holds a Diploma of Community Services (Complex Case Management), Certificate III in Community Development and Certificate III in Business Management. He is an APOLA Accredited Surf Coach, Rugby Australia Level 2 Coach and Referee, trained in High Ropes Facilitation, Medication Management and is a Resilience Canopy Practitioner. He has over 15 years’ experience across Surfing NSW, Rugby Australia, community events and volunteer organisations.
Outside of work, Aaron remains deeply connected to the outdoors through surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, diving, bushwalking and exploring remote landscapes. He is passionate about regenerative land management, native bush foods and medicines, and preserving cultural and heritage skills—believing these practices strengthen connection to Country and self.
Aaron has also played a key role in community recovery during bushfires and floods across the Mid Coast, coordinating volunteers, food relief and essential supplies, including the distribution of over $120,000 in aid to affected communities.
He is the founder of the Lamington Club Men’s Group, creating a safe, substance-free space for men to connect, share openly and build wellbeing through relationship and adventure.
His work has been recognised through multiple regional and state awards, including Mid Coast Organisation of the Year and Outdoors NSW & ACT Outdoor Organisation of the Year. Into the Wild Adventures has also been recognised for Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity and Workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Aaron is passionate about shifting the focus from crisis response to prevention, and sees outdoor health as a vital, evidence-informed approach to wellbeing. Through his work with Outdoors Health Australia, he aims to strengthen collaboration between communities, educators and practitioners, and advocate for nature-based health as a core part of Australia’s wellbeing system.
Above all, Aaron is a proud father, stepfather and former foster carer. Together with his partner Josie, he is raising a blended family of eight children. His family, alongside the thousands of young people he has worked with, continue to inspire his belief that connection is the foundation of wellbeing, growth and opportunity.
