Queer Rites of Passage Guide Training
“Wild Mountain is one of the most generous and inclusive spaces for Queer people on the planet!” – Megan
After guiding hundreds through the Queer Quest for over a decade and witnessing the enormous gifts that Queer (LGBTQIA2S+) Guides bring to ceremonial spaces, Wild Mountain is offering this training specifically for Queer and Trans guides, to support initiations into Queer Guiding, community connection, and renewal with the land.
Queer guides have a unique wisdom born of finding and nurturing our authenticity, a wisdom the world is yearning for. These times are calling us into our roles as guides to support people through transitions and deepen into rite of passage ceremonies. More than ever it is time to remember and offer the experience of belonging, to be held, to be seen, and to show up in our collective responsibility.
As we navigate an upswell of oppressive forces working to deny our autonomy and agency, and drive our communities apart, queerness holds transformative power. We come together in community with nature to feel support from each other, rest, and find queer joy and the strength to show up as healing parts of our communities. We are needed more now than ever!
This training gives you an experiential immersion into a queer modern day rite of passage ceremony, including the skills involved in guiding and supporting folks through all kinds of transitions. These skills can be applied to support deeper belonging in community, life, and work . You will be supported by the guides in your own 4 day solo in nature, an opportunity to initiate into a guide, or community with the gifts you bring. You will learn how and practice supporting others in these initiations. This training model creates a profound learning and healing experience and includes instruction on the following topics:
What You’ll Learn & Experience
Council and creating a safer container of belonging
Queering up Rites of Passage work
The four shields of human-nature teaching
Addressing cultural appropriation
Screening and preparation of participants
Shaping and working with intention
Intuitive ceremony
4 day/night initiation solo in nature
Practice of deep listening and mirroring queer stories
Incorporation and applications into your work and life
Why This Queer-Centered Container Matters
Queer-Centered Safety & Empowerment
A container generated from queer perspectives
Additional teachings to prepare guides to attend to gender expansiveness and fluidity, trans and non-binary identities and experiences, non-monogamy and queer family structures
Embodied Initiation for Queer Lives
A rite of passage tuned to queer thresholds—coming out, transition, radical self-expression, community, and embodiment
Reclaiming Ceremony in Queer Resilience
Rooting initiation in communities historically excluded from lineage-based rites
“Wild Mountain invites individuals to come home to themselves and in doing so contribute authentic becoming and belonging in queer connection." –Grae
“I felt extremely supported and held which made it possible to do the work which often felt edgy. Deep healing, being seen, witnessed in my entirety, and was held. Soul nourishment! So much love!” –Rowan
Prerequisite:
At least one facilitated 3-4 day/night nature based solo experience. If you do not have this experience, we recommend Queer Quest.
Logistics:
Please plan to arrive at 4:30pm on July 25th for an orientation and to have time to get settled before we meet the next morning. The program will end by late afternoon on August 8th but we will have a final evening of celebration before departure on August 9th, the following morning.
Practical preparation:
You will be tent camping during this training with access to some indoor communal facilities. We will provide fresh drinking water, and a basic outdoor kitchen. Most days we will be together in council, so we suggest bringing a comfortable chair (or we can provide one) and layers of clothing for a range of weather conditions. An equipment list will be sent to you once you register. Extra equipment is available, so please ask if you are in need of anything.
Deposit:
To secure your spot, a nontransferable and nonrefundable deposit of $300 is required, along with registration forms. If the deposit is a barrier, please contact us. We also have additional funds available for BIPOC Trainees to support travel if needed. Please contact us if needed.
Pay your deposit here or by Venmo @Wild-Mountain (mention deposit for 2026 Queer Guide Training)
Donation Based:
Our intention is to make this program accessible while sustaining our team of Queer/Trans Guides. Please give generously if you are able, recognizing the time, energy, and resources that go into providing this donation based offering to the Queer Community. Those able to contribute more make it possible for others to join and for us to continue to offer accessible programing to Queer and BIPOC communities.
Please visit our Reciprocity page for more information and to reflect on how much to donate.