Letter of Intent Preparation:              

In advance of the vision fast, participants are asked to write a letter of intent regarding their reasons for wanting to participate in the ceremony and their intentions for their experience. Questions to consider when writing: "What is calling you to fast? Where are you in your life? Are you at the beginning or the end of something or are you in transition? What is it that you wish to mark or celebrate as true for you? How are your relationships with friends, family, and yourself? What do you dream for yourself as you look into the future?" This letter is an excellent preparation tool that can help participants find clarity.

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Program Guides

Bryan Bieniek, MS, MAT is a Wilderness Rites of Passage guide and lead facilitator on this journey. He has been leading vision fasts since 2012 and believes strongly in the role of ceremony as a means to increase capacity for insight and healing.  Read More >>

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Kris Bajgier, LCSW-C, MEd is a clinical social worker and member of the Wilderness Guides Council. She has certifications in Nature-Informed Therapy and Wilderness First Aid. She has a love of hiking, foraging, and the woods. She will provide gentle guidance and prompting throughout the journey to support participants in exploring themselves and their relationship to nature through mindfulness, contemplative practice, and campfire councils. Read More >>

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Hiking Terrain / Difficulty Level

The Friends Wilderness Center is a diverse ecosystem of 1600 acres of Blue Ridge forest, criss-crossed by hiking trails and mountain streams. All trails are marked and maintained and most are easy to moderate in difficulty, but are not paved. Participants should be prepared to hike and explore the property throughout the duration of the event, but long hikes and difficult terrain are not a requirement depending on people's comfort levels.

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Program Costs

Program registration includes a $300 non-refundable deposit prior to June 25, 2024 in order to secure a space in the program. Space is limited and spots are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis based on deposits received. In order to make this trip accessible, the remaining cost of the program is donation-based. A donation between $200 and $800 is encouraged before or at the close of the ceremony. Participants will be trusted to pay what they feel is appropriate and an amount that corresponds with what they feel they can afford based on their financial circumstances. Donations pay primarily for insurance, camping equipment, small stipends for guides, and camping fees ($10/day) which go towards the Friends Wilderness Center that graciously offer their property for the event. People interested in this program who may not be able to participate due to financial hardship are encouraged to reach out to Bryan at bbieniek@msjnet.net to discuss options. 

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Camping Equipment

Outdoor Therapeutics has a limited number of gear kits available to participants who do not have their own camping equipment. Gear kits include a two-person tent, tent rain cover, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and stove with a gas canister. Participants may rent gear kits for an additional $50 at the time of registration. 

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Cooking and Meals

Cooking supplies will be provided, but no provisions will be made for meals, but guidance will be provided during the screening process to help participants obtain the resources they need to address nutritional and dietary needs while on the trip. 

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Registration

Reserving your space on the trip and purchasing gear can happen by selecting the button below. Within 2-3 business days, you will be contacted by one of the guides to complete the appropriate liability forms and to schedule a pre-trip screening.

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Questions before registering?

Please contact info@outdoortherapeutics.com if you have questions before making payments. 

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