Find connection with
Nature & Community
This retreat is not only a chance to experience something unforgettable but also to share that experience within a beautiful community.
The shamanic circle at Mt. Shasta is full of diverse people, young and old. Families and individuals from around the world return year after year to celebrate the summer season together in nature.
Spiritual practices and ceremonial celebrations in nature bring the community together, unifying the circle with all of creation.
What to expect from the
Experience
Clarity
Start each day by focusing your intentions and connecting with the light of Grandfather Fire. Ground yourself in the love of Mother Earth as you walk on the land and celebrate the summer season in sacred ceremony. Through these practices, we purify the spirit and find clarity for our life.
Prayer
Tap into the life force of this place of power. Make a pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta and make prayers for yourself, your loved ones, and all that lives on the Earth.
Connection
Cultivate a deeper bond with the elemental powers and the spiritual world of nature. Learn ancient chants and use the sound of the drum and rattle to shift consciousness in order to strengthen your connection to all of creation.
Purification
Cleanse body and soul in the abundant waters that flow freely from the summer ice melts of Mount Shasta’s glaciers. Purify your consciousness and unite with the flow of nature.
Community
Share the experience with a wonderful group of people, all striving to bring healing to themselves and the planet. The way of shamanism not only strengthens your relationship with the spirits of nature; it also naturally helps us build a more loving and kind community.
Meet Your Guides
Brant Secunda
Brant Secunda is an internationally acclaimed shaman, healer, and teacher in the indigenous Huichol tradition of Mexico. During an intensive 12-year apprenticeship, Brant became the adopted grandson and close companion of Don José Matsuwa, the renowned shaman who passed away in 1990 at the age of 110. Brant was chosen by Don José to take his place in helping to carry on Huichol Shamanism.
Recognized as a global thought leader and spiritual teacher, Brant has been a lecturer at the Mayo Clinic, the American Holistic Medical Association Conferences, and a faculty member of the Five Branches Institute of Chinese Medicine. He also co-founded the Humanistic Medicine Conference with the World Health Organization, the Peace University in Berlin, and is a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild.
Striving to bridge the worlds of fitness and spirituality, Brant co-authored the award-winning book Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You.
Nico Secunda
Nico Secunda has been steeped in the indigenous Huichol tradition and shamanic practices since birth. He completed an intensive shamanic apprenticeship with his father (Brant Secunda) at twenty-one years of age and underwent the rare transmission of power ceremony to become a Mara-Akame (Huichol Shaman) in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.
He is the Managing Director of the Dance of the Deer Foundation – Center for Shamanic Studies. Nico is also the Co-Founder of the Huichol Foundation, which provides economic and cultural support to the indigenous Huichol people of Mexico.
As a child of both the modern world and the ancient Huichol culture, Nico has walked a unique path, bridging the new and old worlds. Because of this, he offers a very relatable approach for people striving to integrate spiritual practices into their daily lives and unify various aspects of the self.
Pricing
Tuition + Accommodation options
Tuition
Full-Time
Retreat • July 15 – 23, 2026
| Ticket type | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult | $1,150 |
| Child | $575 |
| Infant | FREE ($0) |
Part-Time
Tuition Options
Includes program instruction and materials
Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions
- Tribal songs, chants, drumming & rattling.
- Journeying exercises working with the 4 directions.
- Meditation practices to connect with the elemental powers.
- Lecture & discussion including Wixárika (Huichol) cosmology and myths.
- Question and answer opportunities.
- Purification ceremonies to cleanse body and mind.
Dance of the Deer Ceremonies
- Ancient ceremony to honor the light of creation, celebrate the summer season and pray for healing for ourselves and the planet.
Pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta & Medicine Lake
- Learn how to approach places of power in prayer.
- Receive a transmission of power from the mountain.
Accommodations
Full-Time
Retreat • July 15 – 23, 2026
| ROOM TYPE | price |
|---|---|
| Tent Camping | $700 |
| Commuter | $620 |
| RV / Car Camping | $540 |
| Cabin Room: Queen + Twin Bed | $2,084 |
| Cabin ROom: King Bed | $2,484 |
Part-Time
Accommodation Options
Prices are per/person, all meals included
Selected lodging option
- Camping • Tent not provided; please plan on bringing your own tent, sleeping bag, and pillow.
- Commuter • Select this option if staying offsite (hotel, B&B, etc). You will reserve and pay separately for your own off-site accommodations.
- RV / Car Camping • Limited spaces are available and must be booked and paid for separately with the venue.
- Cabin Room • Limited spaces are available in a renovated three-bedroom, 2-bath cabin on the retreat grounds. Each room can accommodate additional guests upon registration.
Vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from dinner on Wednesday to breakfast on Thursday.
Access to the retreat grounds + amenities – rivers, ponds, bathrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities.
Discounted Attendance
Students
Register with a .edu email address and save 10% on all tuition options.
Seniors
If you’re 65 or older, you can save 10% on all tuition options. Simply select the checkbox when registering.
Families
We love having families at our programs and strive to bring all ages into the sacred circle. Children 4-17 receive a 50% discount on all tuition options and infants (under the age of 4) are FREE.
Families of four or more receive 10% off each adult attendee.
Itinerary
Program schedule + session details
Wednesday
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Check-In
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Opening Session + Blessing
Thursday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Free-time (optional group trip to lake)
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon Session
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Deer Dance Ceremony
Friday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Free-time (optional group trip to river swimming hole)
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon Session
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Evening Session
Saturday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Free-time (optional group trip to waterfall)
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon Session
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Sunset Ceremony
Sunday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 11:00 am | Closing Session + Group Photo + Closing Blessing and Prayer
11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Pack up & Goodbyes for Part-Time Attendees
Sunday is a rest day with opportunities to relax or explore nearby towns and sights
9:00 am – 6:00 pm | Free-time
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Opening Ceremony
Monday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Pilgrimage to Lake
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch at Lake
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Break
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Afternoon Session
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Meeting at Fire Circle
Tuesday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:30 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch
2:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Dinner
9:30 pm – 10:00 pm | Evening Session
Wednesday
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast
9:30 am – 11:00 am | Morning Session
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Pilgrimage to Lake
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon Session
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Closing Ceremony
Thursday
7:00 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast (simple Grab-and-go)
8:30 am – 11:00 am | Collective Camp Cleanup
11:00 am – 11:30 am | Closing Prayer + Blessing
11:30 am – 12:00 pm | Hugs and “see you laters!”
12:00 pm | Everyone must depart camp by noon. Thank you!
Travel
Information for your journey
Where is the retreat located?
The retreat will be held near the town of Mt. Shasta in Northern California. Detailed location information and directions will be provided upon registration.
By Air
We do not provide transportation to and from the retreat. If you plan on flying, the nearest airport is in Redding, CA, about a 2-hour drive from the retreat. San Francisco and San Jose airports are other options as well. It is approximately a 5-6 drive from the San Francisco area. We recommend renting a car if you are flying into a nearby airport.
By Bus + Train
Amtrak: Dunsmuir Amtrack station is located approximately 30 minutes away from the retreat, where you can catch the north or south-bound Coast Starlight passenger train from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA via the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bus: There is a Greyhound Bus service to Weed, CA, which is located about 30 minutes from the retreat.
FAQ + Guide
Tips to ensure a great retreat experience
What are the accommodations?
There are a variety of lodging options for this retreat, though most people choose to camp. RV/Car Camping spots must be booked and paid for separately with the venue. Venue contact information will be provided upon registration.
All meals are included (Wednesday dinner – Thursday breakfast). Our chefs prepare vegetarian meals and can provide vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free options.
What is the activity level of the program?
Attendees should be in good health and comfortable walking on level terrain. It can get very warm, and there are options for swimming in rivers + lakes.
What is the weather typically like?
Generally, the typical climate is hot and dry during the day and cooler at night.
The heat adds a unique intensity to the program, though we like to meet in the shade whenever possible. There is a creek that runs along the property with cold mountain water that you can enjoy during breaks.
Do I need to bring anything?
Here is a list of items to bring:
- Anything special you would like to have blessed on the ceremonial altar
- Reusable plate, bowl, and utensils, plus a water bottle and coffee/tea mug
- Blanket or camping chair to sit on outdoors
- Tent + sleeping bag (if camping)
- Personal toiletries
- Bath towel + beach towel for swimming
- Layers of clothing (it can get hot in the day and cold at night)
- Hat + sunscreen (we make an effort to meet in the shade)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Flashlight
- Pocket knife (for making prayer arrows)
Are dogs allowed at this program?
For the well-being of all attendees and our beloved animal friends, dogs are not permitted at our event sessions. Our program includes drumming and rattling sounds that may be unsettling to them.
If you’re considering an RV spot, the venue may accommodate your dog, although breed-specific regulations apply. Kindly inquire with the venue when reserving your spot.
Are there any prerequisites to attend?
No. This retreat is open to anyone, whether you are looking to take the first step on the shamanic path or if you’ve been studying with Brant for decades.
When does the program start and end?
The Retreat will begin on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) with check-in from 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm and an opening session at 7:30 pm. The program will conclude on Thursday (July 23, 2026) at 11:00 am once the camp is cleaned up.
For those attending Part-Time, you must be packed up and checked out by 12:30 pm on Sunday (July 19, 2026).
Will the program be live-streamed?
No. This retreat will only be available for those attending in person. If you’re interested in joining a virtual program online, please take a look at our schedule of upcoming programs.
Do I need to attend the entire program?
We greatly encourage everyone to join the Retreat and/or Retreat + Intensive for the full time in order to gain the complete experience of the teachings and practices, while also helping maintain the energy of the collective group.
Will plant medicine be offered?
No, this program does not include any type of plant medicine. Although this is indeed an integral part of shamanic traditions, this program will focus on the use of drumming, rattling, chanting, and dance to achieve similar altered states of consciousness.
Will I become a shaman by attending this program?
No, our programs do not provide any type of certification and are not designed to teach people to become shamans, as this requires years of complete dedication through a traditional shamanic apprenticeship. Instead, this retreat provides an opportunity to practice shamanism, learn the ancient exercises for spiritual developemnt, and celebrate life in sacred ceremony and ritual.
The practices of shamanism are ones that can be integrated into your everyday routine in order to empower yourself, your community, and all that lives on Mother Earth.
Can children attend?
Yes, we welcome families and children at all our programs and love having all ages included in our circle. We offer a 50% discount for children ages 4-17 and infants under the age of 4 join free of charge.
Children (anyone under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What people are saying
Testimonials
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is a way of honoring nature. Practiced in various forms around the world by different indigenous tribes, the methods of shamanism are diverse; however, they are unified in their inherent basis in the natural world.
Wixárika Tribe
The Huichol (Wixáritari) are a small indigenous tribe of approximately 35,000, living in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. They are considered one of the last cultures in North America to have maintained their pre-Columbian traditions to this day.
Shamanic Healing
Inherent to the spiritual traditions of shamanism is the art of healing. Although our programs do not aim to teach people to heal or become shamans, they most definitely provide the tools for personal healing and transformation.