“Those who seek a vision stand all day without food, and they don’t even drink water, all they do is wail”.
“Those who seek a vision stand all day without food, and they don’t even drink water, all they do is wail”.
Vision Quest in New York – June, 2025
Haŋbléčheyapi or Vision Quest is life changing and is considered a Rite of Passage to the new You.
Vision Quest is one of the most universal and ancient means to find spiritual guidance and purpose for ones life.
A Vision Quest offers clarity into the next phase of life.
Considering “Crying for a Vision”? We encourage you to obtain and complete our Vision Quest Prep Guide as soon as possible.
Please consider that it can take weeks to months to complete the guide and prepare accordingly.
Those registering for Vision Quest will receive the Vision Quest Preparation Guide. You can also order the guide if you are considering Vision Quest and aren’t yet sure when and where you will do Vision Quest.
It is important to complete prayer ties prior to arriving at camp and it takes time to ponder & consider all of the reasons why one is choosing to complete a Vision Quest and to ensure the appropriate intention.
We encourage you to start working with us to complete that process ASAP.
Vision Quest will be held from June 6th to June 15th 2025 in Callicoon, New York
Know you want to do Vision Quest and want to prepare, but aren't yet ready to register? - Order our Vision Quest Preparation Guide and start preparing today.
Have questions about Vision Quest and want to talk to us about whether you are ready? - Book a Discovery Call with us.
Vision Quest Participation Includes
- Vision Quest Teachings (including live calls online in the weeks leading up to Vision quest)
- Inipi (Sweat Lodge Ceremony) before and after Quest
- Plant Medicine Ceremonies as part of the preparation before and integration after Quest
- Grandfather Peyote Ceremony from Sunset on Saturday June 7th to Sunrise on Sunday
- Grandfather San Pedro Ceremony during the day on Friday June 13th
- Vision translation by Elder after Quest and again after one week
- Transformational empowerment activities before and after going on the hill that support intention and integration
- All food and medicine are covered – you only need to bring camping gear
Many find that transformation and change come into their lives during the year following Vision Quest.
The Medicine Person supports the Quester to understand their experience, as they are usually very practiced in these ways, and can offer examples and knowledge around these special situations.
The Vision that is received will provide guidance for Questers for the rest of their lives. Some people are called to do many Vision Quests over the course of a lifetime.
Planned Schedule
(subject to change)
Day One:
- Arrive in the evening on Friday
- Introductions
- Code of Conduct and Camp Rules
- Smudging
- Set up camp
- Prayer Ties, Intention Process, Sacred Pipe
- Dinner
- Sacred Circle
Day Two:
- Sunrise Chanunpa Ceremony
- Questers do Walk About to get familiar with Sacred Altar location
- Share Intentions for Vision Quest
- Visions Teaching, Plant Medicine Teachings
- Totem Animals
- All night Grandfather Medicine Ceremony
Day Three:
- Rest in the morning
- Time at the river in the late afternoon
- Sharing and clarifying of intentions
- Empowerment activities
Day Four:
Crying for a Vision – Day One of Quest
- Sunrise Chanunpa Ceremony
- Dust-off Inipi Ceremony to prepare Questers (with GentleEagle)
- Questers are escorted to their Sacred Altar as they come out of the Inipi and start Day One of Quest
Day Five:
Crying for a Vision – Day Two of Quest
- Sunrise Chanunpa Ceremony for those in camp
Day Six:
Crying for a Vision – Day Three of Quest
- Sunrise Chanunpa Ceremony for those in camp
Day Seven:
- Questers escorted off the hill
- Breaking the Fast Sacred Meal
- Share experience in Circle
- Questers purify in Inipi (with GentleEagle)
- Camp Feast
Day Eight:
- Grandfather Medicine Ceremony during the day on Friday
- Time at the river in the late afternoon
- Integration and sharing in the evening
Day Nine:
- Integrate week of Ceremonies
- Wakíčhaǧapi (Giveaway Ceremony)
- Questers meet with Elder now and also in one week (by teleconference if out of area)
- Evening of celebration at The Sanctuary with Angell Deer
Day Ten:
- Participants travel home in the morning
Following Sunday(s):
- Participate in our weekly Sunday Integration Calls for as long as needed/desired.
Learn more by watching the videos below
Learn more about Vision Quest from Fred Wahpepah
Learn more about Grandfather Peyote Ceremony
What to bring
- Tent and tarp
- Sleeping bag(s), mat, pillow
- Flashlight/lantern with extra batteries
- Water container (we have clean running water on site)
- Warm clothing (dress in layers and be prepared for hot or cold/wet weather)
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Musical instruments – drums and rattles
- Towels, washcloth
- Flip flops, hiking boots, extra socks
- Personal plate, cup and silverware, with your name or other marking on them
- Folding camp chair (small) if you aren’t used to sitting on the earth
- Sweat dress (long cotton sun dress) for women and girls and shorts for men
- Medications you might need
Camp Rules
Dress attire for Men: We ask men to wear long pants and a shirt while in camp. If you want to go into your tent and wear shorts or wear them during a sweat then this is fine. When around the kitchen or the ceremonial area, long pants and skirts please in respect to the indigenous peoples’ ways. Short sleeve shirts are fine.
Dress attire for Women: You are encouraged to wear a dress or long skirts while in camp. A sweat dress is usually something of cotton, as other synthetic fabric can get pretty hot. No mini skirts or tank tops. The people can wear ceremonial shirts, dresses, and shawls for feast day and night ceremonies. This is a way of honoring the spirits with our best. We dress up for these times.
Vans & RV: If you are coming with a van or camper, let us know ahead of time so we can plan for your vehicles. We do ask that you not use your generators during the camp.
Cell Phone: We do have limited cellular service near camp. We would ask that you keep your cell phones in your cars if you use them there. If you are required to be on call, please let us know in advance and we ask that you go to your cars for your cell connections or come and talk with Grandfather Fire to send other messages this way.
Leave at Home: guns, drugs, alcohol, computers. We ask that your pets stay at home or go to resorts for the week or have a loving person watch them that can not attend camp as a way to honor and support the pledges. If your dog is an Assistant animal then by all means they are welcome to assist you. Just let us know and prepare for their food, shade, and water needs.
Cameras: Cameras are allowed, as long as the use of them is with permission and limited before/after ceremonies. You are welcome to take pictures of the camp. Please do not take pictures of the altar during the ceremony. We ask that you wait until the pipe(s) are smoked at the End, before you take pictures of “returning Questers.” It would be wonderful to have some pictures of the events in camp, and that you send your pictures to SWCI. Please be respectful by asking to take pictures, as not all people like their pictures taken at this time of ceremony.
Recycling and Sustainability: We recycle and ask if any of you can help haul this away to a recycling center or do a dump run for us at the end of camp with your truck or trailer, we can use the help.
Medical Issues: We ask that you share all medical issues with us in advance. Even those with medical issues can Vision Quest if prepared properly. We can help you to prepare properly.
QUESTING FOR VISION
The sun is beginning to penetrate the interior of the forest with fingers of light. The trees are resplendent as they soar ever higher to greet the morning sky. Squirrels race up and down the tree trunks like they’re hosting a party and I, their first guest, have arrived early.
Here in the forest, the quiet can overwhelm you with its power. Its sights and sounds fill all of your senses, seemingly all at once. The wind through the trees ebbs and flows from an indiscernible whisper to a thunderous crescendo that commands your attention.
I am here seeking clarity, for answers to questions I’ve longed to ask. I speak to the forest as if it were a long-lost companion, one who knows me best.
Here on the mountain everything that enters your experience has a message for you if you have ears to hear and eyes to see. The squirrels race around me now like chickens with their heads cut off. Hmmm. How often have I had that thought about my own life?
The beauty and serenity that surround me are captivating. It seems like a lifetime since I have felt so at peace. The trees enfold me in their branches and give me permission to just “be.” Be one with the wilderness, be one with the Creator, be one with myself.
Our entire life is a vision quest. The one I recently experienced was a “hyper-focused” quest, one where I searched for answers to specific life questions.
A Vision Quest is a vehicle for your soul’s expansion. Your free will helps you decide how long to remain in the vehicle. It offers you an opportunity to gaze into the mirror of the life you have created. The real work begins when you come down off the mountain and begin the process of integrating all that you have learned in order to manifest a new reflection of yourself.
If clarity and vision are summoning you, consider the adventure and challenge of a Vision Quest. There is no better way to know yourself.
Love and Blessings!
Monica Spehler
Contributions for Teachings
**Please note that all contributions for Ceremony are just that – Contributions. We do not charge for Ceremony and these suggested contributions are to cover our expenses only. Please let us know if you do not have the resources to contribute and we will work out a work-exchange for you.
