Hero's Journey® FAQs

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

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

The age range for the Hero’s Journey program is 16 to 18 years old at the time of your Hero's session.

Check out the application and schedule here.

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 cooking, introspective activities, team building programming, chill/river time, fire council, bed. Each activity can look very different from day-to-day depending on  whether we are at remote campsites or at basecamp. 

All sessions are “General Diagnosis.”

All of our sessions are general, which means siblings, along with diagnosed campers, have the choice of any session throughout the summer.

No, this is not a camping or backpacking program, but the outdoors is an important aspect of our programming.

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

There is a trip in the middle of the week where we split the initial group of sixteen into two groups of eight and go deeper into the “unknown” on the “trail of trails” (according to the Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey monomyth). This trip involves hiking, camping, community building and ceremonies built to further connect participants with each other. Everyone who comes to our program are approved by our medical staff who know the physical capabilities a participant needs to participate fully in the program.  The hikes and physical aspects of this program are designed with a wide range of capabilities in mind. Everyone who is medically approved to attend Hero’s Journey will be able participate fully in every aspect of the week.

Backpacks and everything needed for living in the woods will be provided. We do ask for the participant to bring proper athletic clothing, footwear for the woods environment and basic toiletries. We will provide rain gear and hiking boots upon request and a detailed packing list is included in the attendance confirmation packet.

We have two full time nurses and a volunteer nurse in the program at all times. We also have a medical building at our basecamp location to administer and store medications, which includes a refrigerator for any medications that need to stay cold.

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 not knowing if the week they are attending will be hot, rainy, or a bit of both. Don’t worry, we have a suggested packing list for you to take a look at!

Each meal, everyone will be working together throughout the meal prep process. Everyone is split into three groups and each group is assigned to different task each day. These tasks are fire, cooking and prep, and dishes. Meals will sound very familiar, including stir fries, mac & cheese, burritos, hamburgers and hotdogs.

Even though we cook all of our meals over an open fire, we are able to account for any dietary restrictions and allergies. We cook all of our food from scratch with plenty of vegetarian options. We also have gluten free cookware and can become a nut free environment from week to week. We do recommend having a conversation with our dietary intern, program coordinator and nurse if there are any very specific needs we need to be aware of and a plan can be made. Food should not limit anyone from applying to the Hero’s Journey program.

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 trip where everyone will be sleeping in tents. Bring your pillow!

We are in the woods, so there are critters. The ones we tend to see the most of are bugs, but don’t worry, we have spray for that. We provide bug sprays, but if you want something a bit more powerful we can treat clothes with Permethrin. Ticks are a bug we are especially aware of. We do take precautions at basecamp prior to participants' arrival, but regular tick checks are the best way to stay clean and free of them.

There is a specific application for the Hero’s Journey program, which is available online. 

Please feel free to contact Greg Yeager, the Hero’s Journey Program Manager, by email or by phone at (860) 429.3444.