Vermont Vision Quest

Fran Weinbaum

Fran Weinbaum has been guiding vision quests since 1995, originally offering Spirit Root for women with Gillian Kapteyn Comstock. She has continued to offer quests each year and has been committed to questing on land close to home and in the embrace of community.

Fran is committed to continuously deepening her own spiritual practice and guiding through enacting annual solo fasts and participation in personal and professional development opportunities. She has trained with The School of Lost Borders, Animas Valley Institute, The Institute for Spiritual Development, and Earth Island Expeditions (now MettaEarth Institute.) She holds current certification in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and is a New York State Wilderness Guide. Fran is a member of the Wilderness Guides Council and is currently serving on the Advisory Council.

A mother and grandmother, Fran lives in East Montpelier with her husband Peter balancing the tending of goats, garden and hearth and working as a consultant through Stillpoint Associates, as spiritual life coach, and a Reiki practitioner.

Nils Whittelsey

Nils has been active in coordinating men's support groups and weekend retreats for the past twelve years. Connecting with the woods and the land has been a passion and necessity since childhood. He continues to spend many days in the woods in the company of trees, deer, bear, and any other creatures who venture into his camp. Nils brings beauty into the world through his hands— woodworking, weaving, and creating ceremonial space. He has recently done several vision quests under Fran's guidence, and is now studying with her as an apprentice. He is the devoted father of an adult daughter, Rhia, and makes his .

Nils and his wife Rhia live in the forest in Monkton, Vermont, where he makes his living as a self-employed carpenter and artist. They are the devoted parents of their adult daughter and newly acquired son (in-law).