Called to the Mountain

This expedition-style immersion in the Green Mountain National Forest is for teens who are ready to embrace both physical and mental challenges in a fun and supportive environment.

Over five days and nights in the woods, participants will spend time hiking, camping and backpacking, and engaging in challenge activities, learning Leave No Trace principles, and practicing wilderness survival skills including fire building, primitive shelter construction, navigation, knots, and basic first aid. They will collaborate in selecting suitable camp sites, preparing meals, and transporting supplies.

The experience includes exploration of both the outer and inner wilderness, encouraging teens to share their insights and personal growth in an open, supportive environment using tools like the Way of Council. Along the way, individuals will build self-confidence through resilience and work together to create a spirit of community.

This immersion grew out of Warrior Camp (for kids up to age 12) and boys asking for more immersive time together and in the wilds. It’s like Warrior Camp Level II!

Activities Include:

• Cultivating aspects of self (part of social community, as emotional being, as intellectual being, as part of natural world)

• Backpacking and hiking skills

• Backcountry Camping skills

• Body-Mind Connections: Meditation, breathwork, stretching

• Meeting physical challenges with Grit!

• Way of Council

• Leave No Trace principles

• Wilderness Survival Skills

• Cooking group meals in the forest

• Fire building

• Shelter building

• Stalking and Tracking

• Map and Compass Navigation

Read: “Why Boys Need a Rite of Passage”

CALLED TO THE MOUNTAIN begins Sunday afternoon with supper provided by Spirit Hollow. Arrival will be between 4 - 6 pm. We will end at 3pm on Friday.

Food:

Campers will bring personal food for lunch everyday. Breakfasts and lunches will be cooked together in community. All campers will be asked to bring some food to contribute to our group meals (Monday - Thursday). Once we get closer to the event, a food planning link will be sent so everyone can plan what foods they’ll bring to contribute. We also will send a list of the best camping-ready lunch foods.

Lodging:

Campers will spend Sunday night at base camp preparing before setting off expedition-style for most of the week. When at base camp, Spirit Hollow has tent cabins that have cot-style bunks. Campers can expect to share space with 2-3 others. There is no electricity in these tent cabins, but there are lanterns.  We have hot outdoor showers and four outhouses. Campers should have their own light-weight tent, sleeping bag, and broken-in hiking shoes/boots.

An Extensive What-to-Bring list will be sent upon registration.

We welcome cis, trans, gender fluid or non-binary teens who are drawn to questioning traditional notions of masculinity through dynamic activities and dialogue.

STAFF