Upcoming Programs:
Elemental Quest 6-month rites of passage journey boys in 8th grade, Spring 2026-Fall 2026
6-month program for 8th graders: includes spring and falls daylongs and campouts, summer weeklong trip, and parent meetings in spring and fall.
Dates:
March 28-29, campout in Marin (Location finalized based on weather)
May 16th, daylong
July 20-24, Sierra ceremony-based backpacking trip
September 19th, daylong
October 10-11, final campout with all-family ceremony Sunday am
Elemental Leadership – campouts high school males, Spring and Fall 2026
March 21-22, Coast Camp in Point Reyes
September 11-13, Tomales Bay Kayak overnight
We’ll have trips spring and fall, with time on the coast, in the mountains, on lakes, and rivers. We’ll practice ancestral skills, friction fire making, wild-crafting, and explore the flora and fauna of northern California. We’ll weave wilderness skills, nature games, and explorations with personal reflection time. Be it crafting bow and arrows or carving spoons, painting with earth pigment paints or writing poetry, we’ll meet youth where they are at both as individuals and as a cohort to support learning and growth. Star watching and fire tending with song and story will balance our Earthly adventures. The goal is to connect with self, nature, and cosmos.
*These trips are by invite only – for alumni of various programs with Spencer.
Elemental Quest Custom multi-year programs for private groups, open start (for 7th/8th graders into Fall 9th grade)
Multi-year programs for private groups, time and content tailored to the needs and interests. Camping and backpacking trips leading up to ceremonial trip. See ‘Youth Programs – Elemental Quest’ for options.
Elemental Leadership Ceremonial Trip – high school males, June 29-July 10, 2026
Week-long ceremonial trip, exploring inner and outer nature. Land tending and leadership combined with mentoring, relational mindfulness, creative expression, personal reflection, and ceremony with Mayan elder and wisdom keeper Tat Erick Gonzales. Program is at Deer Mountain Sanctuary, north of Mt. Shasta.
Rite of Passage Guide Apprenticeship,Deer Mountain Sanctuary – young adults, June 29-July 10, 2026
Continue training in ceremony and mentoring, taking on leadership with younger teens at Deer Mountain Sanctuary. Time with mentors as well as Tat Erick Gonzales to find personal growth edges and be supported in facilitation. Learn deeper layers of ceremonial teachings and fire tending along with personal leadership and setting oneself up for healing and growth. Opportunity to have a Mayan birth chart read in a divination session with Tat Erick (at extra cost).
ELEMENTAL QUEST 