Vermont Wilderness Rites

Fran Weinbaum

Fran Weinbaum has been guiding wilderness rites of passage and retreats since 1996. A mother and grandmother, she lives in East Montpelier, Vermont, with her husband, Peter, balancing the tending of goats, garden and hearth with work as a spiritual life coach, organizational consultant, and executive director of Wonder & Wisdom, a small nonprofit committed to the spiritual development of children and elders. Her growing commitment is to the weaving of soulful community in North Central Vermont through community-created and held ceremony including rites of passage.

Fran trained with The School of Lost Borders, Animas Valley Institute, The Institute for Spiritual Development, Earth Island Expeditions (now MettaEarth Institute), and The Newfield Network. 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 the Managing Editor for the WGC's annual publication, Circles on the Mountain.

Fran's work was recently highlighted in the Newfield Network newsletter.

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. Nils has guided with Fran since 2008 and is a member of the Wilderness Guides Council.

Nils lives in the forest in Monkton, Vermont, where he makes his living as a self-employed carpenter and artist. He is the devoted parent of his adult daughter Mary Kate and newly acquired son (in-law).

tarin chaplin

tarin chaplin (1941- 2009) had many connections with Vermont Vision Quest.  tarin enacted a Vision Fast several years ago and attended Return Circles.  She held the Return Ceremony ceremony in 2007 and lent her gifts as a ritual creator and sacred space keeper to Vermont Vision Fasts many times.  She was as a member of the Raccoon Lodge, a group who collaboratively explores ways and forms of contemporary rites of passage as they deepen their own spiritual journey.  tarin and Fran co-taught a course at Johnson State College in rites of passage and had plans for many more heart and Earth projects.   Her vision of sacred ceremony continues to inspire and lead us. We are deeply saddened by her death in May from cancer and offer a few words and images to celebrate her life. Visit here to read Fran's words.