NATURE CONNECTION MENTORING JOURNEY 2023
A 9-month Life-changing Journey
A transformative monthly program
designed to fit into your schedule
Monthly Deep Nature Connection Experiential Workshops,
24 hour Overnight Solo Initiation,
Powerful Life-long Connection Practices
Experienced Mentoring Support
and much more!
REGISTER ONLINE HERE
Why this program?
As we develop along the different life stages from infancy to elderhood, we benefit greatly from having certain experiences within the context of nature and a nature-connected culture and community to discover our gifts and purpose, and fulfill our human potential.
We need this now more than ever!
In the modern world, many of these experiences of deep nature connection and community are either absent or don’t respond to people’s needs, leaving them with underlying, lasting feelings of neglect, anger, isolation, emptiness, bitterness, loneliness, and fear.
Like many others, you may be longing to address this, and looking for ways that feel connective, healing, enjoyable, and doable in the fullness of your daily life. This course offers that, and more!
The Nature Connection Mentoring Journey (NCMJ) offers a proven transformative nature-based approach that supports this developmental journey to maturity, inner stillness, joy and vitality, and a sense of purpose and connection.
This program is based on a time-tested mentoring model inspired by the cycles of nature and indigenous wisdom world-wide, developed by Jon Young, founder of the 8 Shields model.
This model sparked a global movement that utilizes a finely tuned, tried and true mentoring model that has proven to create healthy and vibrant natural leaders, and nature-based intergenerational mentoring communities around the world over more than four decades.
It is a skillfully crafted holistic recipe of cultural elements and connective practices that enhance health, happiness and well-being in a deep embodied way. Join thousands of people in this international movement towards cultural repair and reconnection to nature.
During the Nature Connection Mentoring Journey, you will be guided to:
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Develop a deeper relationship with Nature, Community and Self
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Expand your senses, awareness and empathy to a whole new level
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Experience belonging and community in the context of healthy regenerative culture
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Learn practical earth-based ancient skills
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Understand your life cycles and healthy maturation for both children and adults
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Experience ceremony and initiatory rites of passage
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Train in practices and gather life-long tools that will significantly enhance your daily life
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Encounter and implement a nature-based time-tested mentoring model
The program is designed to develop enhanced sensory awareness and deep nature connection, under the guidance of experienced and caring mentors.
It offers various components including nature connection experiences and practices, practical skills, teaching and discussion, personal mentoring, games and play, music, ceremony, rites of passage, community building, cultural repair elements, and initiatory experiences.
The intention is to awaken and bring into balance within each of us the Attributes of Connection so we can mature fully and become more fulfilled and effective leaders in our lives and in our community.
The Attributes of Connection are:
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Quiet Mind and Inner Peace
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Inner Happiness (Happiness of a Child)
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Vitality of Body and Mind
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Deep Listening and Commitment to Paying it Forward
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Caring and Empathy (for Nature and People)
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Fully Activated Gifts and Being Truly Helpful
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Full Aliveness and Deep Gratitude
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Love and Forgiveness
“The NCM Journey was an amazing experience like no other. I continue to do many of the practices I learned–I’m amazed at how much more I notice about nature, birds, and other wildlife around me as a result of doing this program. The practices have increased my awareness and also supported me to be more present in myself and with others. I couldn’t have learned these the same way from a book–the presence of experienced mentors had a huge impact!
I highly recommend this program!
(And Victoria peeps, it’s an easy commute to beautiful Salt Spring Island for a day, once a month!)”
~ Colleen Adrian, Author, speaker and mentor for parents
“The Nature Connection Mentoring Journey was something I looked forward to every month. The premise of being in nature on beautiful Salt Spring Island, surrounded by like minded people, and held in a safe and loving circle created by Ingrid and Jean-Claude was always warming to my soul. I recommend it to anyone, but especially those that long for deep nature connection and invaluable teachings by two wonderful sages.“
~ Zsoka Scurtescu, Intuitive energy worker
“The NCMJ was a transformational experience for me. Learning to embody the attributes of connection over a year, under the guidance and loving support of Jean-Claude and Ingrid, brought me to a deeper level in my journey toward nature connection and a fuller life. I’d highly recommend this course to individuals looking to deepen their own personal nature connection journey and anyone interested in helping connect others to nature and community.”
~ Michi Main, Marine biologist
“The NCM Journey was a great introduction to the 8 shields, with the depth that’s needed to have you asking for more. This program helped me to see that my head and heart were NOT in alignment, and it has given me the support and awareness I’ve needed to navigate that transition. If you want to change your life, this program has the power to get you started!”
~ Jamie Ferguson, Parent and business owner
“I completed the NCMJ twice and would have participated in successive years had I not started having children. I so enjoyed connecting to nature and to the energy of the season through the nature connection activities, games and thoughtful reflections.
Through this ‘work’ I experienced mystical moments, the pushing of edges, synchronicities, connection, laughter and the deepening of friendships (not just with humans!)
I deeply appreciated being with like-minded people, being part of a community who is reverent of- and acknowledges our part in- the natural world.”
~ Ashley Casault, Parent
ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
1) Monthly Workshops, Saturdays 9:00am – 3:30pm
Each outdoor workshop will have a different flavor and approach, as we deeply explore and embody one direction.
Each month, we will focus on experiencing the vital and possibly missing elements at each stage of development for one particular direction (which also corresponds to that time of year), developing deeper awareness and connection to nature, self and others, learning life-long transformational skills, healing the grief from not having been supported in our life journey, and creating a regenerative culture, all while having a great deal of fun!
Half of the wheel is deep nature connection and awareness; the other half is people connection, community and ceremony.
2023 Dates
EAST: April 15
SOUTHEAST: May 13
SOUTH: June 10
SOUTHWEST OVERNIGHT SOLO: July 8-9
WEST: September 16
NORTHWEST: October 7
NORTH: November 4
NORTHEAST: December 2
Dates may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
2) 24-hour Overnight Solo Rite of Passage July 8-9 2023
The program includes an amazing Initiation into knowing your Self , your fundamental relationship to all of Life and to your own gifts, though the 24 hour Solo.
This Rite of Passage weekend starts with a Sending Off and is followed by a Welcoming Back ceremony in community.
You will be prepared at every level–spiritually, psychologically, emotionally and physically–to feel at home in the wild.
And you will be supported by a cultural container of mentoring and community throughout your experience.
This is a transformational opportunity! You’ll feel fully alive, at home in nature, and connected to the wild, inside and out!
3) Daily Practices and Rituals
Every month, you will be given nature connection practices that correspond to the particular direction for that month, to practice daily, if possible. These may take 20-30 minutes of focused time each day, or may be something that you are asked to pay attention to throughout the day.
These proven practices are key to really integrating and benefiting fully from the learning of the monthly workshops. As mentors, we continue to practice on a daily basis and see this as the basis of our connection and growth. We ask that each participant consider this and make a commitment to taking the time to practice regularly.
5) Written Materials and Resources
Every month, you will receive written materials to support your learning in the monthly workshop. We will also send out occasional meaningful choice readings, videos and/or audios that pertain to the direction we are working in, to enrich your understanding.
6) Monthly Mentoring Questions and Assignments
Every month, you will receive a few targeted mentoring questions related to the monthly direction. You can use these to contemplate throughout the month, or at a focused time, or to journal, or to share with your program buddy. We will provide opportunities at the monthly gatherings to share, as well.
You will also be given small but significant assignments each month. For example, one month you will be asked to find an anchor, an older person you know, to ground you and hear your stories. You will also be asked to create a small nature corner or simple altar in your home that you will add something to every month.
7) Personal Mentoring Support
Each participant will receive personal mentoring support with the program mentors, Jean-Claude Catry and Ingrid Bauer, during the program.
8) Buddy System
Each participant will be paired with a program buddy, for additional support and connection. We ask that you check in at least once a month with your buddy, and more often if possible, to share stories and support each other.
8) Add Coming Home to the Wild Survival Course at a $200 Discount!
All NCMJ participants who wish to add the Coming Home to the Wild Survival Course (3 Saturdays in May/June) to their learning journey will receive a significant discount of $200 for that course.
To join the Survival Course, just add it to your cart at the discounted rate when registering for the NCMJ.
Not sure yet but know you want to register for the NCMJ?
You can always add the survival course later.
COMMITMENT
It is our hope and request that program participants commit to participating as fully as possible in the monthly gatherings, the July overnight, and the daily practices. Some time every month for reading or viewing resources, journaling, and buddy check-ins is recommended. As with many things in life, the more you put in, the more you get out. Some “dirt time” is definitely required, and the quality of your intention goes a long way as well.
This journey is designed to stretch you and support your growth, and as such requires a commitment and investment from you towards that; as with all true growth, you will be challenged and at times drawn to avoidance or distraction. We ask you to commit to and prioritize this work and the accompanying connective practices. At the same time, we have designed it to fit into your day, and be doable in your full lives. We will be personally doing all the practices alongside you during the month.
INVESTMENT
The cost for the program is $1195, which covers the workshops, solo overnight, materials and all the other program elements.
Register with a friend/partner and save $100 each, for a cost of $1095 each. You must register at the same time. Email info@wisdomoftheearth.ca for discount code.
A DEPOSIT of $500 will hold your space.
Various monthly payment plans with installments are possible. You’ll choose this during the registration process.
Students returning for a second/third year may take the program for $650. (deposit $200)
LOCATION
The program is based in various locations, in the south end of Salt Spring Island, BC.
