CO Three Week Training
Aug 28th, 2021 - Sep 19th, 2021 | Wild Mountain, Colorado | Ruth “Roo” Wharton, Pedro McMillan | Training
Wilderness Rites of Passage have been practiced in cultures around the world as a way to celebrate and transition from one phase of life to the next – to leave behind what no longer serves and step into life as it is now. These can be developmental phases of life, like moving from adolescence to adulthood, or the many other transitions we face throughout our lives. In this modern day, there is great value in returning to wild places to remind us humans that we are deeply connected to and part of nature. Just as the seasons shift, our own life changes are calling out to be recognized through ceremony and marked with clear intention. We are able to see ourselves and be seen in profound and accepting ways when we are mirrored by the natural world and witnessed by others.
This training will bring together an international group in an expansive natural learning environment, the majestic and wild mountains of Colorado. Together with each other, nature, and the wild beings who call this place home, you will be initiated into the guides and leaders you are, so you may bring these necessary practices back to your communities. In this experiential training you will learn the bare bones of this ancient and yet modern ceremony. The focus will be learning and practicing the art of mirroring people’s stories from the land while learning how to prepare and support people in creating meaningful and powerful wilderness rites of passages.
This training will cover all of the following topics:
- Council Practices and Creating a Safe and Inclusive Container
- 4 Shields of Human Nature Teaching
- Role of the Guide
- Screening and Preparation of participants
- Intention Setting
- Physical and Emotional Safety
- Self Generated Ceremony
- Cultural Appropriation
- Your own 4 Day and Night Solo Time on the Land
- Story Mirroring and Storytelling
- Incorporation of the Experience
- Applications of these Practices with Various Populations
Prerequisite: Participation in at least one facilitated vision fast or solo experience.
Program Questions Contact: Ruth Wharton at [email protected]
***Please note: We require that all participants have up to date Covid vaccinations to participate in this program.
Submit Waitlist form
This program is full; however, you may add your name to the Waitlist by clicking the Waitlist button below.
Submit enrollment form
Please fill out and submit the enrollment form and then pay the program deposit below. Before you pay the deposit, please read deposit section below, all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. After your enrollment form is complete, please submit all health and liability forms.
Pay program deposit
Deposits: This deposit signifies your commitment to the program and is deducted from the tuition balance. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. They cover the work of the specific course you signed up for, including all communication involved as well as the fee that guides pay to the school administration for the course accounting.
Additional Deposit: Some programs require a second deposit to help us affirm commitments. Last minute cancellations make it hard to fill openings and incur a loss of income to the School and the guides.
Tuition Balance: Balance of tuition can be paid before or upon arrival. Simply deduct any deposits made from the amount you’ve chosen on the sliding scale.
Additional course details & Materials
Please plan to arrive on the afternoon of July 28th and we will end mid-day on August 19th. ADDITIONAL FEES: Camping Fee of $150 will be collected at the time of the program.
You will be responsible for bringing your own food and equipment, though we can provide some gear if needed. We ask everyone to come prepared to live self-sufficiently. You will need to bring shelter and clothing suitable for a full range of inclement weather.
All participants must submit the required health questionnaire and liability form.
If you have questions about the enrollment process contact us at [email protected] or call 760-938-3333.
The Trail to the Sacred Mountain and The Roaring of the Sacred River: The Wilderness Quest for Vision and Self Healing. Both by Steven Foster and Meredith Little and available through Lost Borders Press.
Wild Mountain is land of the Tabeguache Ute people and other Indigenous tribes who traveled through this area of the Colorado Rockies. The Ute lived and hunted in this abundant land of elk, buffalo, deer, and bear before white settlers came and forced them onto reservations in southwest Colorado and Utah.
To learn more about our commitment to regenerative relationships please visit Cultural Relations.
