WILDERNESS RITE OF PASSAGE

GUIDE TRAINING 

FOR BLACK, INDIGENOUS, & PEOPLE OF COLOR

This program is open to all who identify as Black, Indigenous, & People of Color (BIPOC). 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. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have often expressed not feeling welcome, seen, or a true sense of belonging in many such programs to date as they have usually been led by white guides, attract similarly white participants, and have not been adapted to the vitality and needs of racial, cultural and gender diversity. Much is lost in the intentions of these programs without the voices, leadership and inclusivity of such profound perspectives and experiences.

This training is a first of its kind in this lineage with the call to support BIPOC in guiding wilderness rites of passage programs. 

There is a lot of value in returning to wild places to remind us that all humans are deeply connected to, and part of nature. Just as the seasons shift, we too have profound changes in our lives that 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 witnessed by others as well, as mirrored by the magnificently diverse natural world. 

This experiential training will support you in learning the bare bones of this ancient and modernized ceremony. You will learn how to prepare people in creating inclusive and safer containers, support their crossing the threshold into meaningful and powerful wilderness rites of passage, and help incorporate the experience back in their own communities. 

This training is taught by Praveen Mantena and Ruth Wharton who bring with them decades of guiding and training experience through many organizations including the School of Lost Borders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reintroducing Rites of Passage around the world for more than 40 years. 

This training will experientially teach you how to guide Wilderness Rite of Passage ceremonies within your communities with specific focus on the following topics: 

*Council Practices and Creating a Safer and Inclusive Container 

*4 Shields of Human Nature Teaching

*Screening and Preparation of participants

*Intention Setting

*Intersectional Identities                                                                 

*Physical and Emotional Safety

*Self Generated Ceremony

*Cultural Appropriation

*4 Day and Night Solo

*Story Mirroring and Storytelling

*Incorporation of the Experience

*Various Applications of these Practices with Various Populations 

*Continued Mentoring and Support 

Dates: July 10-24, 2021- Please plan to arrive by 4pm on July 10th. We will plan to end no later than 4pm on July 24th. 

Transportation: Wild Mountain is located near Buena Vista in central Colorado. There is a bus 1 x a day from Denver to Buena Vista where we can pick you up and drive you to Wild Mountain. If you are traveling by bus, please plan to arrive on July 10th and return to Denver on the morning of July 25th. There may also be opportunities to carpool with the group.

Donation Based:  Our aim is to make this training accessible. Please give what you are able recognizing the time and resources that go into providing this offering. If you are able to give generously, that helps us provide more opportunities for others. All proceeds from this training go back to providing resources specifically for BIPOC to join future trainings and programs. 

Required Reading: ‘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- lostborderpress.org 

Practical Preparations: Please be prepared to be self sufficient with your own gear and food. There will be a group kitchen available for use where you may cook individually or with other group members. Most days we will be together in council, so please bring a comfortable chair. An equipment list will be sent to you once you register. Extra equipment is available, so please ask if you are in need of anything.

Registration or Questions: Email Praveen at prav66@gmail.com, 720-473-2955.

Because this is a specialized training for those who have prior experience with nature-based ceremonies, please contact Praveen to set up an interview to ensure you are ready for such an undertaking. 

Deposit: To secure a spot in the training a nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required as well as submitting forms. You will also be asked to write a letter explaining why you are drawn to this training as well as what transitions or personal process you are currently facing.