Program
of Study
A structure in which apprenticeships
can, and often do, take place is outlined below.
You may fall in-between or outside the categories.
Many people do. You may have studied shamanism
for 20 years and great deal of counseling experience,
but never camped out in your life; or the opposite:
intimately familiar with wilderness, nature, and
ecology and a novice at ritual. The program is
meant to adapt to fit your needs, to create the
conditions where you can find your calling, develop
into who you are meant to be, and make a difference
in healing your people and all our relations born
from this sacred earth.
Apprenticeships may vary from
12 days (beginning and intermediate) up to much
longer periods. Beginning and intermediate training
is focused around an already scheduled fasting
quest (see schedule), starting one day before
and running one day beyond. More advanced training
is arranged on a case-by-case basis, with the
cost varying according to the length of stay and
intensity of concentration.
Beginning Training: 12 days.
The trainee is both participant and on staff in
a fasting quest. You will take the question of
how and whether this work is appropriate for you,
„to the mountain‰. As a trainee, you
are expected to listen, with the intent to absorb
and master the material; participate and give
feedback in counseling sessions; and prepare by
doing assigned readings. Each meeting, group and
individual, is followed by an appraisal, in which
instructor and trainee discuss the issues presented,
possible ways of addressing them; appropriate
and inappropriate roles for a guide, etc. At the
end of the program, your experience will be discussed
and evaluated.
Cost: $750.
Intermediate Training: 12 days.
Building on the beginning training, the apprentice
functions as an supporting staff member responsible
for the teaching and welfare of a vision fast
group. You will assume specific tasks and responsibilities
for all phases of the vision quest experience,
including presenting teachings, the performance
of ceremony, setting up and maintaining base camp,
and contributing to the emotional and physical
preparation of the vision fast participants. We
will also focus on the further development of
skill and professionalism, confidence building
and empowerment of the trainee; evaluation and
maturation of your leadership style; and a deeper
immersion into the forms, issues, and processes
of the wilderness vision quest. Cost $750.
Advanced training: Advanced
training requires previous participation in two
wilderness quests, one as participant-trainee,
one as apprenticed staff member. Building on these
experiences, advanced training includes daily
meetings focusing on all of the subjects listed
in Areas of Study below. It may take place over
longer periods of time and include participation
and training in other workshops and trainings
offered by Circles of Air and Stone, with cost
negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
