Welcome!
The rites of passage described by the anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in “Les rites de passage” 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.
Our support as guides is based on fundamental experiences that come together in these principles:
- Every human being is an inseparable part of nature and has a relationship with it, possibly unconsciously.
- Nature and all living beings can serve as a mirror for our inner questions and issues.
- Change and transformation are not limited to the realm of the mind; they require physical traversal of the terrain.
- Longer stays in nature and exposure have the potential to have a healing effect and to show new paths.
- People feel accepted and seen when they are listened to and when what they receive is mirrored.
The rites of passage comprise three crucial phases
*Note: “Liminality” describes the phase of transition in which identity and belonging are in flux. It is a transitional state between the old and the new self. In the 1960s, the British ethnologist Victor W. Turner (1920-1983) took the schema of rites of passage developed by Arnold van Gennep and coined the term “liminality” (The Ritual Process. Structure and Anti-Structure (New York, 1969).
People who decide to undergo a rite of passage do so for a specific reason, whether it be a specific question or a feeling of an impending fork in the road. Seeking a period of silence, fasting and contemplation is an ancient practice that is anchored in many cultures and religions.
A well-thought-out, well-prepared solo time can be a challenge and an enrichment for people of all ages. Essential components of this transformation are a clear intention, thorough preparation on various levels (physical, technical, mental), a suitable place and an experienced companion.
Our Homebase
Our home is in the Vulkaneifel in an undisturbed forest and pasture landscape. It is good and important to have a relationship with the piece of earth on which a vision fast or another rite of passage is to take place. We take you with us, introduce you to the shape of the landscape, its power places and its personality.
Program Overview
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.
Day 1: Tuesday, July 1 – 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 – Preparation
- Exploring and connecting with the land
- Setting personal intentions
- Practical preparations
Day 3: Thursday, July 3 – Solo Time Begins
- Departure at sunrise
- Solo time in nature
Day 4: Friday, July 4 – Solo Time Continues
- Continued solo experience in nature
Day 5: Saturday, July 5 – Re-Entry & Story Council
- Return after sunrise
- Incorporation Sweat Lodge
- Beginning the Story Council
- Evening campfire
Day 6: Sunday, July 6 – Story Council & Check-Out
- Conclusion of the Story Council
- Farewell ceremony
- Departure at 3:00 PM
Your Guides
Holger Scholz
Holger is an experienced facilitator specializing in the conscious design of change and transformation. His work includes supporting and advising individuals, groups and organizations.
Holger's qualifications and approach are based on his facilitator training and his personal experience with Native American traditions, ceremonies and cultural techniques, which he encountered at the age of 25. Holger has been closely connected to the nature and wilderness of the volcanic Eifel region since childhood. He has 20 years of experience as a sweat lodge leader, supports the Lakota Sun Dance and is well-versed in self-authorized ceremonies. He is also a wilderness instructor according to Tom Brown and a guide for vision fasting, based on the teachings of the School of Lost Borders.
Peter de Kruijk
I’m 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 “buzz” 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.
Rites of Passage: Rituals for Times of Change
Being human means experiencing change and transformation.
Being happy means consciously shaping change in a nurturing way.
Do you have questions about vision fasting? Feel free to contact us.
Imprint
Kommunikationslotsen
Kommunikationslotsen GmbH & Co.KG
Scheidhof 1
53804 Much
+49 (0) 22 45 - 91 28 00
ed.nestolsnoitakinummok@ofni