This page shares information on related programs offered by close friends and affiliates of Vermont Wilderness School.

8 Shields Institute

The 8 Shields Institute is leading the way for developing programs and products that help people reclaim their own deep connection nature and each other. The Institute was founded by Jon Young, founder of Wilderness Awareness School and original creator of the Art of Mentoring workshop. The Institute provides a variety of long-distance mentoring programs for folks wanting to go deeper with the Art of Mentoring, cultural mentoring or nature connection.

Village Talk Call Series

This is the Art of Mentoring that never stops. We share stories from our sit-spots, and dive deep into 8 shields cultural mentoring. The series come in 3-Month Blocks — the next block starts the week of July 12 and ends the end of September. Calls feature a 20-minute keynote talk from Jon Young (or special guests), a question/activity for the week, a 15-25 minute breakout discussion with 3-4 other call participants to share on the most recent question/activity, followed by sharing highlights to the larger group led by a call host who will also be asking questions to draw out the learning.

The Village Talk Call Series consists of two different themes alternating each week – Essentials of Nature Connection and Cultural Mentoring. The calls happen on Thursdays with three different call times. You can pick which time slot works best for you:

East Coast Times: 2-3:30PM, 7-8:30PM, 10-11:30PM (when signing up, read carefully the time zone designation to be sure you choose the right one for you).

For more information on these calls, go to: Village Talk Call Series

Art of Mentoring Workshops in Other Regions

For information on the Vermont Art of Mentoring, please go here.

Art of Mentoring California Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Offering Art of Mentoring Workshop, Adult Nature Immersion Program, Teen Adventure, and Youth programs.

Art of Mentoring at Wilderness Awareness School, Duvall, WA
Offering Art of Mentoring Workshop.

Art of Mentoring UK in Fife, Scotland
Offering Art of Mentoring Workshop, Adult Nature Immersion Program, Towards Elderhood Program, Teen Adventure, and Youth programs.

Art of Mentoring Ontario near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Offering Art of Mentoring Workshop, Adult Nature Immersion Program, Teen Adventure, and Youth programs.  Early Bird Discount of $50/registration until May 1.

Art of Mentoring Idaho Sandpoint, ID
Offering Art of Mentoring Workshop, Adult Nature Immersion Program, Teen Rendezvous, and Youth programs.

Miriam Dror, MA, LCMHC

Miriam Dror has been working in the fields of education and healing for over forty years. She is a licensed psychotherapist and a Certified Core Energetic Therapist. Miriam studies and teaches models that integrate all aspects of ourselves – emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual. Miriam has designed and facilitated workshops and training courses throughout the US and in the UK. Throughout her life, Miriam has worked extensively across cultural difference and deeply values what we can learn from human diversity and ecological diversity. She sees nature connection as central to healthy parenting and educational practices. Miriam’s work provides maps for healing and helps people discover their own means for finding their way back to nature’s design.