To make these camps for young boys and girls successful we must have participants. It is my hope to be a part of something that is going to have a long lasting impact on humanity. I want the children that have been given to us to be full of gratitude, compassion, [...]]]> By Donald Dollar

To make these camps for young boys and girls successful we must have participants. It is my hope to be a part of something that is going to have a long lasting impact on humanity. I want the children that have been given to us to be full of gratitude, compassion, humility, patience, generosity, bravery, love, and honor…. this list goes on. I believe these camps that we work on helps support the foundation that is built on these attributes. As I am sitting here writing this letter, I am reflecting on my parents 50th wedding anniversary that is coming up in early May. I know that they wanted to instill these values in me and my two brothers and hopefully they can look back and see that they tried in all earnestness to accomplish this. What I see our role as is being an example in these children’s lives and showing that we are here and available for them. It does take a whole community of compassionate and understanding men and women to raise the next generation. Now here is the action and purpose of this letter: I am asking each one of us to contact and talk to at least 3 parents or kids about the MDI camps for this summer and get back to me with your results. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMMITTED. You can reach me via email or phone listed below. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need support. Thank you very much. Contact: donalddollar@comcast.net.

It’s that time of year again. Spring has sprung. The trees, flowers, birds, and animals are busy coming to life after a long winters rest. New fruits, seeds and young are being created, loved and nurtured in that magical process we call life. With the proper nutrients, water, pruning and sun [...]]]> By Joel Holtzman

It’s that time of year again. Spring has sprung. The trees, flowers, birds, and animals are busy coming to life after a long winters rest. New fruits, seeds and young are being created, loved and nurtured in that magical process we call life. With the proper nutrients, water, pruning and sun this new life will prosper and carry forward to new generations. Much like the plants and animals in this magical process our children will carry forward to new generations also. If we love them, nurture them and guide them in ways that create honor, respect, perseverance and care for our fellow human beings, the world around us will be left a better place for today and the future. The Boys Rites of Passage and Rites of Passage Experience: Girls to Women camps are designed to be a road map for our children’s future. There are many turns, stop and yield signs, gravel and concrete roads on our children’s path to maturity. These paths are often full of potholes and unseen dangers, but they can also be full of dreams and joy. The Mountain Wisdom camps are designed to illuminate the terrain in which our children find themselves deployed. A second set of eyes if you will. The path our children will ultimately choose for themselves can and will be affected by their experiences today. One of these experiences is learning to not do it alone. Learning to ask for help. Learning to value the experiences of others. We at Mountain Wisdom know how important asking for help is. We need your help! You can help in many ways. You can help spread the word, donate your dollars, volunteer your time and enroll your children or the children of your community. Mountain Wisdom has many tools you can use, our website, Facebook, The Messenger and brochures for information. We accept cash, checks and credit cards for donations and tuition. If you can volunteer your time contact us via a personal telephone or email. Your help is very much valued. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have helped in the past and today with your dollars and your time. A special thanks goes out to Terry Zipperman, Don Dollar, Tim Goodnow, Susan Miller McGowan, Dan Rodenberger, Britt Williams,Venae, Donna and John Sears, Anne Hearn Huff and last but certainly not least Hawkeye Jay.

Salute! My name is Chad Free. I am 18 years old and I have been through the BROP and NOWAC camps and what a difference that has made. My life seems to have a clearer path and I know I can make the choices I need to survive in any situation. [...]]]> By Chad Free

Salute! My name is Chad Free. I am 18 years old and I have been through the BROP and NOWAC camps and what a difference that has made. My life seems to have a clearer path and I know I can make the choices I need to survive in any situation. I have gained knowledge about being a leader which shows itself prime in my life today. Also, I have experienced spiritual awakening and find myself closer to the great spirit. Through all these experiences, I have come to know myself for who I really am. I also went through a staff training after I completed my last year of NOWAC. Now I work as a counselor with the campers and also as a kitchen manager. My experiences now as a young adult are what they are because of these many opportunities.

Peace. Love. Music.

The Story of the Sacred Tree by Phil Lane has many aspects that follow up or continue the story. The Story of the Sacred Tree has many parallels for today’s world. If all of us took care of our Sacred Trees the world will be a better place. For all the [...]]]> By Britt Williams

The Story of the Sacred Tree by Phil Lane has many aspects that follow up or continue the story. The Story of the Sacred Tree has many parallels for today’s world. If all of us took care of our Sacred Trees the world will be a better place. For all the people of the earth, the Creator has planted a Sacred Tree under which they may gather, and there find healing, power, wisdom and security. The roots of the tree spread deep into the body of Mother Earth. Its branches reach upward like hands praying to Father Sky. The fruits of this tree are the good things the Creator has given to the people: teachings that show the path to love, compassion, generosity, patience, wisdom, justice, courage,respect, humility and many other wonderful gifts. The ancient ones taught us that the life of the Tree is the life of the people. If the people wander far away from the shadow of the Tree and attempt to destroy it, great sorrow will fall upon the people. Many will become sick at heart. The people will lose their power. They will cease to dream dreams and see visions. They will begin to quarrel among themselves over worthless trifles. They will become unable to tell the truth and to deal with each other honestly. They will forget how to survive in their own land. Their lives will become filled with anger and gloom. Little by little they will poison themselves and all they touch. It was foretold that these things would come to pass, but that the Tree would never die. And as long as the Tree lives, the people will live. It was also foretold that the day would come when the people would awaken, as if from a long, drugged sleep; that they would begin, timidly at first but then with great urgency, to search again for the Sacred Tree.The knowledge of its whereabouts, and of the fruits that adorn its branches have always been carefully guarded and preserved within the minds and hearts of our wise elders and leaders. These humble, loving and dedicated souls will guide anyone who is honestly and sincerely seeking along the path leading to the protecting shadow of the Sacred Tree.

It’s springtime and the flowers are blooming. I love being outdoors in the Southland. I also feel the excitement as we gear up for this year’s Rites of Passage Experience: Girls to Women. As new life is exploding around us and the cold Earth transforms, I think of the [...]]]> By Susan Miller McGowan, PhD

It’s springtime and the flowers are blooming. I love being outdoors in the Southland. I also feel the excitement as we gear up for this year’s Rites of Passage Experience: Girls to Women. As new life is exploding around us and the cold Earth transforms, I think of the young girls I will have the pleasure to know this year at camp. I have the privilege of seeing these girls spring to life in a new way while they are at camp. Every year I watch them unfold as beautiful women with confidence and joy. This year is our third girls’ camp and we are excited to be back at Hawkwind Renewal Cooperative in Valley Head, AL. We were fortunate to be at Hawkwind in 2010 for the girls’camp and appreciated all that Charla and Lulu had to offer us. The beautiful grounds with the Medicine Wheel and Dance Circle provided the perfect setting for the work we did with the girls. The abundance of herbs and edible plants were a great school room as we learned ways to take care of ourselves. Truly a place of wisdom and healing to gather as women and girls in this important process. This year should even be better. We have a larger volunteer staff with the possibilities that each woman brings. We will have equine therapy offered this year, since we have more support. Of the women who are gathered to support this camp, each offer unique gifts of wisdom and healing. The circle is strong for the girls. Send us your young girls, ages 12-17 who have begun mature. We promise a powerful, unforgettable experience. Also remember that your financial support provides assistance to kids who would otherwise not be able to take advantage of this powerful celebration of who they are and who they are becoming.