Help your students transcend the ordinary.
This course will help you understand how and why nature based learning is so connected to inner growth.
You don't need to be a 'Rites of Passage or
Wilderness Quest Guide, or be seen as 'spiritual', either.
The facilitation process is non-denominational, and it's often invisible to participants and observers.
The process will work in your backyard, your local park and in virtually any natural environment and program model.
If you've ever participated in or led a program that was transformational for your group, and you're not sure exactly how it happened or why, this course will open the door to a new way of perception and action.
Course Certificates are available.
This course is specifically created for all of the following Forest Educators-
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Naturalists & Docents
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After School Leaders
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Homeschool Group Educators
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Environmental or Science Educators
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Summer Camp Counselors
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Nature Day Camp Leaders
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Boy/Girl Scout Troop Leaders
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Forest School Staff & Educators
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Nature Art Workshop Leaders
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Rites of Passage Facilitators
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Nature Based Therapists
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Wilderness Adventure Instructors
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and anyone who works with youth
(Photo> Baltimore Boys Rite of Passage Program)
The Hero's Journey
The Forest Educator as Gatekeeper
The Stages of Initiation
Rites of Passage in the Modern World
Archetypal Mythology
The Vigil
Program Design for Transformation
Storytelling Essentials
The Art of 'Framing'
(Videos, Worksheets & Journals)
Initiations & Adventure
Initiations in Awareness
Initiations in Survival
Initiations in Self Mastery
Initiations of Fire
Initiations of Water
Encountering Fear
The Vigil
The Blindfold Drum Stalk
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
Staff Preparation & Training
Emotional Safety & Ethical Guardrails
Integration Practices
Parent & Community Involvement
Metaphor & Symbolism
The Nature Mirror Effect
Program Assessment
Staff Mentoring & Supervision
Risk Assesment & Student Screening
(Video, PDF and Audio Resources)
"This training will change how you see your students, the natural world and yourself as an educator. It will give you tools that provide pathways to inner growth and understanding that your students are longing to experience.
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- Ricardo Sierra
Getting Certified
If you need or want a certificate of completion for your course work, please fill out the worksheets & journals for each section and send them to ricardosierra@foresteducator.com
◊ Worksheets
◊ Reflective Journals
◊ The Name you want used in the certificate
We will review your work, and then send you a certificate PDF for you to download, print and use as needed.
The Forest Educator trainings are where I am sharing the formula or 'recipe' we have used at Hawk Circle for over 35 years, to achieve powerful results for children, teens & adults. This formula works because it follows the natural patterns of our ancestor's connection with the natural world for thousands of years. It offers tools for transformation, mental health, creativity and leadership, all things that educators everywhere can use right now."
-Ricardo Sierra
Hawk Circle
Wilderness Education Director
The Hero's Journey Online Course has ongoing admissions. You can register at our 'pre-sale' tuition rate and begin learning on May 15th, or wait to register at our regular rate in our formal launch, June 15th, 2025)
◊ Click the green box to register!
◊ Participants get Lifetime Access to Course curriculum and any live 'Ask Me Anything' sessions.
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How do I know if I am going to be a good fit for this program?If you are an educator or program director or founder who wants to see your work grow in terms of impact, income and ease of delivery will benefit from this program. It will set you up to see improvements immediately as well as in the long run, so you can do what you love easier and better. If you are unsure and would like a 'no-obligation' consult to discuss your program needs and details, please contact Ricardo at RicardoSierra@foresteducator.com and we can find a good time to talk and answer your questions.
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Do you have any live question and answer sessions?Great question! Ricardo is planning a monthly Ask Me Anything zoom session for participants to join and ask specific questions and get live, immediate answers. However, we don't have dates & times for these sessions set up yet, so the best way to get that info is to get on our Forest Educator Community Mailing List, found at the bottom of every page on the ForestEducator.com website. This is where we will be posting the details for joining our calls. If you DO have immediate questions that can't wait for the live sessions, please email Ricardo or send him a message on social media, (also found on our website) and he will get back to you as soon as possible.
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What if I only have a couple of areas where I need help?This online program can be taught sequentially, moving through each module and lesson, and eventually covering all of the shared content. However, you are also welcome to pick and choose which sections are the most helpful or needed by you or your school/program, and that is fine as well. So you can search through the various lessons and find what you need!
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Do I need to have five years of experience or can I participate as a first time educator?The short answer to this is, you don't need any previous experience at all to get a TON of value from this program. If you are just getting started, this is a course that can help you get off to a great start and get up and running with a minimum of issues and stress. You may go through many sections that are unfamiliar to you if you are new, but that is okay. You can always come back and revisit the materials and info later, as well. If you DO have some nature education experience, then you will probably find that the material covered and lessons and resources to be important, and fit needs or questions that you may have been having already. And you may find ideas and issues that are still new and pertinent to your program or students as well.