Karl Studer Foundation Launches Wilderness Retreats for Families in Crisis

Karl Studer, president of Electric Power at Quanta Services, established the program on a simple premise: a diagnosis may consume a family’s time, but it should not dictate how they spend it. By removing the logistical and financial burdens of a vacation, the foundation allowed participants to focus entirely on one another in the alpine setting along the Greys River.

Jackson Hole Outfitters managed the on-site logistics, providing glamping accommodations that balanced comfort with the outdoors. The week was deliberately flexible, offering activities ranging from horseback riding and kayaking to quiet evenings by the fire with musician Henry Pepin. Organizers emphasized that the families were guests, not charity recipients, ensuring the experience remained accessible regardless of the families' health status or outdoor expertise.

Studer aims to scale the initiative into an annual tradition, with plans to expand the number of participating households in the coming years. Following the pilot program, participating families described the experience as a period of profound peace. The foundation, based in Rupert, Idaho, continues to accept inquiries regarding future iterations of the retreat through its website.