Wisdom of the Pack with Erik Wardell
About this Event
Ages 12–14 | 5 Wednesday gatherings
Details:
- Wednesdays, 3:30–4:45pm
- 5 gatherings: November 4, 11, 18 & December 2, 9
- No gathering: November 25 (Thanksgiving week)
This is a closed group format that begins on November 4th. Each scheduled meeting session will build on the previous, and we hope that your son can join for all 5 meeting sessions.
Location: True Nature, The Kiva
There comes a time in every young man’s life when he begins to ask: What kind of man do I want to become?
Wisdom of the Pack is a small-group gathering for boys navigating this important threshold. It isn’t a class about how to be a man, nor is it therapy. It’s a space to experience brotherhood, deepen self-awareness, find your voice, and explore what it means to grow into manhood.
Through stories, myths, and archetypal characters, we use timeless narratives as mirrors for the journey of growing up. We’ll read stories together and explore what each boy sees in them: What do you see in this character? What reminds you of your own life? What challenges you? What are you curious about? There is no right interpretation. The wisdom comes from what each boy discovers for himself and from what emerges through the group.
Alongside story and myth, we’ll weave in honest conversation, mindfulness, movement, time in nature, and reflection. Together, we’ll explore courage, integrity, emotional awareness, resilience, belonging, and a kind of strength that doesn’t need to prove itself.
At the heart of the experience is a simple idea:
We discover who we are together
This is a place where boys don’t have to perform, have it all figured out, or be the loudest or toughest in the room. They simply get to show up as themselves, be witnessed by their brothers, play some games, and begin to discover who they are and who they’re becoming.
Who Is This For?
Wisdom of the Pack is for boys ages 12–14 who might benefit from a little more space to slow down, connect, reflect, and find their footing during a meaningful stage of growing up.
Maybe he's naturally introspective.
Maybe he's struggling to find his place.
Maybe he's confident but doesn't always know what to do with his emotions.
Maybe he loves being around other boys but is craving deeper connection.
Maybe he's beginning to wonder what kind of person, and eventually what kind of man, he wants to become.
He doesn't need to arrive with a particular problem.
He just needs to be willing to show up.
Meet Your Guide: Erik Wardell
Erik Wardell is a men's work facilitator, mindfulness guide, and mental health educator with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Rooted in presence and purpose, he creates spaces for people, especially men and boys, to reconnect with their inner wisdom, navigate life's challenges, and remember the wholeness that’s already within them. Guided by love, curiosity, and a deep reverence for the human experience and the natural world, Erik invites others to slow down, go deep, and celebrate this little miracle we call life.
Tuition options for the 5-session Wisdom Of The Pack series
Early Bird Access: $77 through October 21st
Standard Tuition: $90
Supportive Tuition: $48
*Choose this rate if you have limited financial capacity or are currently experiencing financial hardship. This rate is supported by contributions from our generous donors.
This rate is for you if you:
- Have difficulty meeting your basic financial needs
- Are experiencing housing, employment, or income instability
- Live paycheck-to-paycheck and and lack money in times of need
- Face other significant challenges
We are currently able to offer 3 spots at this subsidized rate. Please contact [email protected] if these have sold out, and you are in need of applying for scholarship.
We also have spaces available for families who are in need of further financial assistance. Please let us know if you’d like to apply for the Connection is the Medicine Scholarship Fund.
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This programming is brought to you through the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to co-creating a world where individuals and communities thrive from a sense of inspiration, connection, and self-discovery. To learn more about our mission-driven work, the foundation, other programming experiences, and our founders, please visit www.connectionisthemedicine.com.
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SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Where Your Gift Makes a Difference
Because of the generosity of our donors, programs and participants are thriving!
If you are interested in donating to support more programming like this, please visit our website: https://connectionisthemedicine.com/donate
or contact Valery Moore Kelly
Development Director
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At True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation, we strive to create intentional, nourishing spaces and experiences for community connection and personal growth. To support a respectful and easeful experience for all, please view our, also listed below.
If you have any questions, you may contact Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming at [email protected]
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Event Cancellation & Refund Policy
True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation reserve the right to cancel any program or event at any time. In the event of a cancellation by TN or the Foundation, participants will receive a full refund.
Please note that certain programs may have unique cancellation policies—refer to individual program descriptions for specific details.
Unless otherwise noted in the program description:
- Refunds are available (minus processing fees) up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time.
- Tickets are transferable to another guest at any time with prior approval from the Event Manager.
- No refunds or credits will be granted for: Cancellations made day-of or after the event has started, No-shows, Early departures, Dissatisfaction with event content or presentation
For online or virtual programs, please refer to the specific event page for cancellation and refund details.
For all refund or transfer requests, contact Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming at: [email protected]
Participant Agreement: Etiquette, Disclaimer, and Community Guidelines
To support the integrity of the experience for all participants, we ask that you please observe the following guidelines:
- Arrival Time: Please consider arriving 10-15 minutes early to check in and settle. Events begin promptly at the scheduled start time.
- Late Attendance: Doors will close at the stated start time (e.g., 6:30 PM) to honor the sacred nature of the container and minimize disruptions, and late arrivals will not be admitted
- Substance Use: We ask that all guests arrive free of the influence of drugs or alcohol to maintain a clear, safe, and respectful space.
What to Bring & Community Care: You’re welcome to bring personal comfort items such as an eye mask, a small pillow, an extra blanket, or a yoga mat.
As these are shared community experiences, we kindly ask that you:
- Be mindful of personal hygiene and health
- Respect personal space and boundaries
- Refrain from using scented products that may affect others
Thank you for co-creating a respectful and enriching experience with us. We look forward to welcoming you into our sacred space.
Community Conduct and Shared Space Guidelines: Connection is the Medicine Foundation programs are designed to foster meaningful connection, reflection, and personal growth within a supportive communal environment. We ask all participants to honor a shared social norm of respect, presence, and care for one another’s experience.
If at any time a participant is experiencing an unusual, heightened, or disruptive reaction or response that impacts the collective space, the Foundation and/or Facilitator reserves the right to intervene and, if necessary, ask the individual to step away from the gathering. This is not intended as a judgment, but as a means of protecting the integrity of the shared experience, ensuring that all participants continue their journey without undue disruption.
We invite all participants to practice self-awareness, personal responsibility, and compassion to help us maintain a safe, welcoming, and nourishing environment for all.
Disclaimer and Hold Harmless Agreement: The views and opinions expressed by facilitators during True Nature and Connection is the Medicine Foundation events, discussions, or any related activities are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of True Nature or the Foundation. We are committed to providing a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue, and the words of facilitators should be understood as their individual viewpoints. Any information or advice shared by facilitators is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as official statements or endorsements by True Nature or the Connection is the Medicine Foundation. Participants are encouraged to critically evaluate and form their own opinions based on their own judgment and understanding. True Nature assumes no responsibility for the content shared by facilitators and disclaims any liability arising from the use or reliance on such content.
By purchasing a ticket for this event, you agree to a general release of liability for True Nature and the Connection is the Medicine Foundation. You hereby release and discharge the Connection is the Medicine Foundation, its Board of Trustees, Administrators, Staff, Volunteers and other participants or guardians (herein termed Affiliates) from any and all liability whatsoever of any nature or sort for any property damage or personal injury suffered by the participant.
The participant, to the fullest extent allowed by Law, shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Connection is the Medicine Foundation and its Affiliates from any and all liability for any claim of any nature arising out of any activity, conduct, act or omission of the participant.
Media Release: By completing this registration, the participant grants True Nature + Connection is the Medicine Foundation, and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs and/or videos of participants, taken by True Nature or its agents, for editorial, trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same. The registrant and participant hereby release True Nature and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs or videos.
The registrant and participant hereby affirm that they are over the age of 18 and have the right to contract in expressed name. You agree to have read the above authorization, release, and agreement, prior to its execution, and are fully familiar with the contents of this document. This document shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.
If you have questions or concerns regarding Event Etiquette and Policies, you may reach out to Megan Miller, Director of Education and Programming: [email protected]
Where is it happening?
USD 54.00 to USD 88.00
