“The movement will not last, however, if it is not accepted and nourished by the people themselves….It must spread from family to family from house to house, from block to block, from neighborhood to neighborhood.. It must be securely rooted in community, in the shared understanding that at life transitions and crises we must go alone and empty to the wilderness so that new life status may be confirmed and imbalances in the community righted. Am I dreaming?”

Foster and Little: The Four Shields

Rites of Passage have always been supported by the whole community and we at the School of Lost Borders are blessed with a community willing to carry on this tradition. We are grateful for all the creative ways that people come up with to support our work and vision. Certainly the financial support is a necessity in our modern world, but spreading the word to friends, family, and community, and carrying on the work and practice in ones own life are vital to the health and sustainability of this ancient/modern way.

For over twenty-five years, the School has been committed to the continued reemergence of meaningful modern Rites of Passage. During these times of social and financial challenge it feels ever more important to support individuals in claiming their gifts, reconnecting with wild nature and living the life they long for.

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General Fund:

The School believes in simplicity and we hold the intent of keeping our administrative costs down to the "bare bones"! We own no land, maintain no buildings and have just one paid employee. We are also committed to keeping our programs affordable and paying those who guide for the school decently.  And of course there are always expenses in running a non-profit to keep the computer and website maintained, as well as some basic bookkeeping expenses and those surprises that always arise. Your donation to this fund will assist the daily doings of the School, helping the center fire of the School's administration stay grounded and functional

The Steven Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund:

For thirty years Steven held a dream along with his beloved Meredith.  Books were written, a documentary made, thousands of circles sat in and thousands of stories listened to, all for the dream. This dream that some day meaningful rites of passage would be available to all people; that through initiatory practices we as a culture, as a species, we would move beyond the dark threshold of adolescence and begin acting and making decisions as true stewards of the land and mature lovers of life and community.

The dream continues through all of us.  For modern initiatory practices to move into the body of our culture it will take the support and care of the whole community.  Shortly after Steven’s death in May of 2003 the School of Lost Borders received spontaneous donations, and a request to create a scholarship fund in Steven’s honor. For the last seven years, with our communities support, this scholarship fund has provided financial assistance to those in need who are strongly called to undertake a rite of passage or to train with the School. In 2009 we provided twenty-six scholarships for a total of $8,000.

In an effort to support as many people as possible, our policy is to offer scholarships of approximately one third of the base tuition. We also encourage applicants to find and build support in their own communities. We are fully committed to working creatively with finances, so as to never let money be the obstacle to a rite of passage.

Global Rites of Passage Fund:

The School is committed to supporting the reintroduction of meaningful and culturally appropriate rites of passage experiences around the world.  Over the last decades it has been instrumental in training people in this work from around the globe, providing personal support as well as financial when needed.  This has led to a fast growing network of skilled and heartful Vision Fast guides in many countries.  The establishment of an International Wilderness Guides Gathering was initiated by the School, with its first well attended meeting in Germany in 2002.  The next and 5th gathering will be in the Ukraine in 2012.

This year the 2 amazing Ukrainians who are organizing this next gathering, Kate Babenko and George Kushnir, have asked to attend the School’s Month-Long Training in July … to further their training in the Vision Fast work they have begun in their country, and to prepare for this major International event.  The School has offered them a partial scholarship to make this possible, trusting that our community will help us in our support by contributing to this fund.

For our 2011 Month-Long Training we have accepted the applications of 2 key staff members of Educo Africa (www.educo.org.za).  Wiebke Nedel the General Manager, and Duncan Souchon their Program Director, are extremely enthusiastic to follow a significant number of their staff who have trained through the School, resulting in a strong rite of passage emphasis at Educo.  They will need significant financial support, which we are committed to finding with your help.