Hero's Journey® FAQs

Hero's Journey® is one of two paths in the Adolescent & Young Adult Journey Year Program. Learn about Journey Year here.

To learn about Hero's Journey® and see a sample schedule, visit the Hero's Journey® page.

The Hero’s Journey® program gets its name from the experience a “hero” or “heroine” goes through as they embark on a new adventure. This process was philosophized and explained by Joseph Campbell in his work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, written in 1949. Campbell’s research revealed that myths and stories throughout all cultures and across time share one similar theme of a “Hero’s Journey.” These stories may have had different characters, settings and challenges, but the structure never changed (think Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, The Hunger Games, Star Wars and more). Campbell theorized that these types of myths and stories are always surrounding us because they reflect our own lives: our lives are a compilation of the many hero’s journeys we have experienced. 

This concept is important because it provides the program’s structure and platform for how we plan the week, the language we use, the conversations we have, and the metaphors discussed when exploring the meaning behind all the ceremonies, initiatives, activities, and programming. The week emphasizes and celebrates the fact that each of us are on our own personal Hero’s Journey®. The program also provides an opportunity for participants to discover their true self and gain perspective on how they can continue their personal journey upon their return home. In addition to adventure and self-discovery, creating lasting connections and memories with peers is central to the Hero’s Journey program. 

Yes. No prior Hole in the Wall experience is needed or required.

The program is free of charge…like all Camp programs! 

Yes! No prior Hole in the Wall experience is needed or required.

Hero's Journey® is offered to participants aged 16 - 18 at the time of the participant’s session. Individuals who have attended Hole in the Wall’s traditional summer program until age 15 typically participate in Hero’s Journey or Champion’s Journey the following summer.

Check out the application and schedule here.

All sessions are “General Diagnosis,” meaning a participant must be aged 16 - 18 and have a qualifying medical diagnosis or be a sibling of a participant with a qualifying medical diagnosis to be accepted. For more information on who can attend, click here.

All Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) program sessions are general sessions, which means siblings, along with diagnosed participants, have the choice of any available session throughout the summer.

A big part of the Hero’s Journey® program is experiencing the “unknown”. Participants will not know in advance exactly what they will be doing, nor what time it is. However, each day does follow a general structure that includes campfire building and cooking, introspective activities, mindfulness, team building initiatives, down time and fire council (group reflection). Each activity can look very different from day-to-day depending on whether we are at our remote primitive campsites or at our more established basecamp. 

While you do not need to have prior experience in camping or the wilderness, we recommend you have a minimum of a curiosity about the outdoors. Hero’s Journey® participants and staff sleep on a cot in yurts (a circular semi-established tent with a wooden platform and vinyl walls/roof) and tents on the ground (nylon tent with a sleeping pad and sleeping bag). Meals are either prepared over a campfire or are cold “trail meals” intended to be eaten on the go (e.g. sandwiches).

Kurt Hahn was an educator who developed the philosophies that lead to the formation of Outward Bound: expeditionary learning programs that were initially designed to help young sailors develop the skills to be successful in harsh environments. Hahn’s philosophies inspired the wilderness first aid and search and rescue components of our Hero’s Journey® program.

No. In the middle of the session, the group is split into two before journeying deeper into the “unknown” on the “trail of trails” (a phase in Campbell’s Hero’s Journey philosophy). This trip involves hiking, camping in tents, community building and ceremonies to deepen and widen participants’ connections with one another. Everyone who comes to Hero’s Journey® is approved by our medical staff who understand the physical capabilities necessary for a participant to be successful in the program. The hikes and physical aspects of this program are designed with a wide range of capabilities in mind.

Backpacks and everything needed for living in the woods will be provided. We do ask for the participant to bring wilderness-appropriate athletic clothing, footwear and basic toiletries. Camp can provide gear to participants upon request. A detailed packing list is included in the program acceptance email from Admissions.

We always have a minimum of one nurse with the program. We also have a medical building at our basecamp location to administer, lock and refrigerate (if necessary) medication.

The Hero’s Journey® program is based in the woods, so weather is always a factor for us. However, we continue to run the program rain or shine! We have the appropriate weather gear for participants, and we do not hesitate to evacuate our site if safety is ever in question. It is important for participants to pack a variety of clothing and layers to be prepared for the unpredictability of weather.

“Breaking bread” is an important aspect of the Hero’s Journey® program. Meals not only provide physical nourishment, but they are also an opportunity for participants to build skills and community. Each meal, the group is split into crews to accomplish meal-related tasks.

Many of our meals are cooked over the campfire, though sometimes we may have a “cold” breakfast or lunch on the trail. Because Hero’s Journey® is a wilderness-based program, meals are adapted to what can be safely prepared while on the trail or over a campfire.

We work closely with our medical and program teams to ensure we can safely accommodate dietary needs and allergies. We are a nut-free environment and have vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you have specific questions or would like to discuss your participant’s dietary needs, please reach out so we can make a plan that accommodates your child’s needs.

There is running water for specific functions, but no electricity. We supply headlamps to all participants.

Even though we are in the woods, we have facilities. At basecamp, we have two port-a-potties and two dry-flush toilets we have deemed “space toilets”, named after the sound it makes once flushed. We also have port-a-potties at our remote camping locations.

Participants bathe on opposite sides of the river by gender and with proper bathing suit attire. Hot showers are provided based on medical needs.

Participants will be sleeping on a cot in an enclosed structure called a yurt. There are two yurts participants sleep in based on preference, and there will be a portion of the session where everyone will be sleeping in tents on the ground.

We are in the woods, so there are critters. The ones we tend to see the most are bugs, but don’t worry, we provide bug spray. We practice tick safety by educating participants and teaching them to perform routine tick checks throughout the day.

If you have been to Hole in the Wall before, you can use your application login to access the Journey Year application. Both Hero's Journey® and Champion's Journey use the same application, which is available online. 

Please feel free to contact Ana Baggiano, Adolescent & Young Adult Director.