International Vision Fast
A Wilderness Retreat for Life Transitions - 1-6 July, 2025, Vulkaneifel.
A Vision Fast in the Tradition of the School of Lost Borders.
Welcome!
The rites of passage described by the anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in âLes rites de passageâ from 1909 are the inspiration, theory and practice of our work. Completing the Visionfast Guide training program at the School of Lost Borders was a lifelong dream come true for us: accompanying people and groups in their essential inner work in nature and the wild.
"Being on the land reminds us to trust that we know how to integrate the daily living and dying necessary in a healthy life."
Meredith Little, School of Lost Borders
The Phases
Major life transitionsâwhether stepping into adulthood, navigating midlife, or embracing elderhoodâare invitations to step into nature and reconnect with your true self. These moments call us to release what no longer serves and step into a new chapter of being, honoring the deep wisdom carried in our ancestral bones.
Sometimes, the call comes loudly through major life changes. Other times, itâs a quiet longingâa sense of disconnection from purpose or heartâs desire, even when life seems "perfect."
This six-day wilderness retreat offers a sacred space for transformation. For two days, we prepare. Then, youâll spend two days and nights fasting in solitude, immersed in the wild nature of the Vulkaneifel, reflecting on lifeâs biggest questions: âWho am I? What is my purpose?â Finally, we come together for two days of integration and incorporation, carrying your newfound clarity back into the world.
The Program
Day 1: Tuesday, July 1 â Arrival & Check-In
- Reception starting at 12:00 PM
- Afternoon: Introduction to Der Beuerhof
- Evening: Sweat Lodge Ceremony (Lakota tradition)
- Post-dinner: Introduction to the Four Shields
Day 2: Wednesday, July 2 â Preparation
- Exploring and connecting with the land
- Setting personal intentions
- Practical preparations
Day 3: Thursday, July 3 â Solo Time Begins
- Departure at sunrise
- Solo time in nature
Day 4: Friday, July 4 â Solo Time Continues
- Continued solo experience in nature
Day 5: Saturday, July 5 â Re-Entry & Story Council
- Return after sunrise
- Incorporation Sweat Lodge
- Beginning the Story Council
- Evening campfire
Day 6: Sunday, July 6 â Story Council & Check-Out
- Conclusion of the Story Council
- Farewell ceremony
- Departure at 3:00 PM
This is for you if...
A Vision Fast is for those at a crossroads, seeking clarity and renewal in life. It is particularly suited for individuals navigating transitions such as entering adulthood, midlife, or elderhood, or those who feel called to redefine their sense of purpose. This ceremony is also meaningful for people experiencing major life changes, like the end of a relationship, a career shift, or recovering from loss or trauma. Some may come with a deep but undefined longingâa sense of disconnection from their inner nature or lifeâs direction.
Participants should be in stable mental health, physically fit, and comfortable with outdoor settings, including spending nights alone in nature. Whether you are seeking to mark a significant milestone, reconnect with yourself, or find stillness amidst lifeâs noise, a Vision Fast offers the space for profound reflection and transformation. It is designed for those ready to step away from daily distractions and embrace solitude in nature as a guide. Whatever your reason, the Vision Fast meets you where you are, providing a sacred pause to listen deeply and step into your next becoming.
Your Guides
Holger Scholz
I am an experienced facilitator specialized in the design of change and transformation. My work includes consulting and facilitating individuals, groups and organizations.
My qualification and my approach are based on my facilitator training and my personal experience with Native American traditions, ceremonies and cultural techniques, which I encountered at the age of 25. I am closely connected to the nature and wilderness of the volcanic Eifel region since childhood. I pour water in sweat lodges since 20 Years and support the Lakota Sun Dance. I am a wilderness guide according to Tom Brown and a guide for vision fasting, based on the teachings of the School of Lost Borders.
Peter de Kruijk
Iâm an everyday life adventurer and founder of HummingNature, where I guide people through Vision Fast ceremonies in nature. After my experience and training with The School of Lost Borders, I discovered the deep power of nature as a teacher. My goal is to connect people - especially young people- with the peace and wisdom of the natural world. The âbuzzâ of nature stimulates your senses and provides more insight than any coach or trainer. During a Vision Fast, I help you experience this connection and offer tools to integrate the power of nature into your daily life.
Info
Dates
Dates: Tuesday, July 1 - Sunday, July 6, 2025
Start: July 1, 12:30, End: July 6, 15:00
Location
Beuerhof,
Seminarcenter in the Vulkaneifel, Ăxheim
Costs
Program Tuition: ⏠1.000,- â ⏠2.000,-
We offer a sliding scale to honor the diverse financial resources among participants. You choose what feels appropriate for your circumstancesâno criteria, just trust. If you have a regular income, we kindly recommend contributing closer to âŹ2,000 to help support others who may not have the same financial means. General information and guidance on navigating the sliding scale is available here:
Letter of intent
As part of your preparation, we invite you to write a letter of intent. Are you marking a life stage or responding to a call for change? Take your time to reflect and uncover the core reason for your journey. Please have your letter ready at least one month before the program.
Is there anything we can help you with?
Then please get in touch:
+49 (0) 22 45 â 91 28 00
Eileen Dalton and Liane Schelz, office and organization.