This work follows the ancient pattern of the hero's journey, where the hero goes to a wild place and faces the many challenges that await him there, with the support of the spirits that know his true purpose.  The journey can be looked at in three stages:
 

The Severance stage begins as soon as you register and continues through the first three days of the program. During this time, we'll work with each man to clarify intent:  what are you questing for, what changes are you marking, what do you hope to receive, what challenges do you expect to face, what needs to die, and what is waiting to be born?  We'll introduce Council with its five intentions, so that we can sit together and share deeply; and other important tools:  the Medicine Wheel, the Purpose Circle, the Death Lodge.  We'll suggest ways you can create your own ritual, enact the truth of your own story.  

Crossing the Threshold on the 4th morning of the program, you begin three full days of solitude at a wild place of your own choosing.  This experience is beyond description, but could be seen as living with your deepest self, dying to your old life, and being born to the new.  During this time, you will have as potential allies all the powers and spirits of nature, your own spiritual guides, ancestors, and your own soul's voice.

The Return stage begins when you return to base camp on the 7th morning of the program.  Here you begin the process of returning to the world you left behind.  This can be the most challenging part of the program, this preparing for "the Vision Quest of your life."  We engage in a series of processes, from Story Mirroring to the Return Council, that serve to illuminate and support your re-entry into the life that is awaiting your return.