Alternative Spring Breaks
March 3 -9
March 10 - 16
March 17 -23

The alternative Spring Break experience at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center is open to college students and other adults who are seeking a meaningful and restorative retreat from their daily routine. Participants will stay in Narrow Ridge's solar powered Strawbale Lodge and will receive delicious vegetarian meals. Participants will have opportunities to engage in the following activities:

• service-learning projects
• orientation to the community and work of Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center
• tour of eco-homes and facilities
• visit Memorial Wildflower Garden, Meditation Labyrinth and Natural Burial Preserve
• organic gardening
• day hikes and night hikes
• star gazing
• alone time in the beautiful outdoors
• stories and songs around a campfire
• yoga
• drum circle
• discussions about important environmental topics aided at times by documentary films
• spend the week with others who are interested sustainable living

The fee for lodging, meals and activities is $450 with some scholarship assistance available to those with financial need.

For more information contact Mitzi at 865-497-3603 or community@narrowridge.org.

Vision Fast
May 19 - 27

Vision Fast at Narrow Ridge…a guided experience for persons seeking clarity and peace about life directions centered around three days and nights of solitary fasting in a mountain wilderness setting.

Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center (www.narrowridge.org) in rural Grainger County, Tennessee, is offering a Vision Fast Program on May 19 – 27, 2018.

Participants in this program will experience two and a half days of preparation and training, three days and three nights of fasting alone on a mountain near Narrow Ridge Center, and two and a half days of processing including a sweat lodge ceremony. Past participants have reported significant increases in clarity about life directions, decisions, and purpose, in addition to finding the experience profoundly restorative in terms of feelings of health and well-being. Vision Fasts have been part of the rites of passage of many different cultures since time immemorial.

Principle VF leaders will be Bill Nickle and Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener. Bill Nickle is founder of Narrow Ridge and 18-year vision fast guide. Mitzi is Director of Narrow Ridge and has served as VF guide since 2006. She trained under Bill’s mentoring and has received additional training through the School of Lost Borders (SLB). SLB pioneered non-Native American led vision fasts in the United States.

During and after the VF, participants will stay at Strawbale Lodge on the grounds of Narrow Ridge, an eco-friendly facility constructed of sustainable building materials and utilizing solar power, composting toilets, and an on-demand water heater. Vegetarian and organic food is provided in a supportive group living and learning environment.

Individuals and couples are invited to apply. Cost is $600 per person or $1080 per couple. Need-based scholarship assistance may be available. Previous camping experience is not required. Participants must submit a statement of personal intent explaining her/his interest in experiencing a VF. Those accepted must file a medical statement certifying they are in sufficiently good health given the physical demands of mountain hiking with a heavy pack, camping, and fasting; and be willing to sign a liability waiver accepting the inherent safety risks of a VF including spending time alone in a wilderness setting. Participants should prepare for the VF over the weeks preceding the experience by following a suggested regime of reading, journaling, short-term fasting, and walking.

To apply or for more information, contact Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener at 865-497-3603 or by email at community@narrowridge.org. Deadline for registration is March 1. A $50 deposit is required to reserve your place in the Vision Fast. Balance of tuition is due by the registration deadline and is fully refundable up until this date. Cancellations thereafter will result in 1/2 tuition reimbursement. If you are interested in applying after the above deadlines, please contact us to see if there are available spaces. Don’t let anything hold you back from participating! Ask about our loan and scholarship programs.

Narrow Ridge is a nonprofit educational organization committed to land conservation, sustainable living, building community, and fostering spiritual growth. Narrow Ridge is non-sectarian and welcomes seekers from diverse faith traditions. We invite inquiries about our other educational, retreat, and service learning programs.