Virtual Explorer’s Program Overview 2020
Registration is now CLOSED for the 2020 Virtual Explorers group and optional in-person adventure. This application (Registration is closed) helps provide us (you and me) clarity on whether the Virtual Explorer’s group is a good fit for your needs and the program design. Read the full program description below and here.
Read the post program Explorers Manifesto that I wrote synthesizing our adventure.
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given and sink yourself into that. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. ”
-Saint Paul
Part 1: A group for Explorers who want to make a difference
It is a six-week program beginning Wednesday, October 7th through November 11th. It happens all online through Zoom. All you need is a computer and a quiet space to engage.
It’s a chance to grapple together in real-time conversations with practical and soulful questions like Where am I? Where am I going? And Who am I? (Which aren’t easy to answer 🙂
I will be leading each 90-minute weekly session where we will combine larger group interactions with 10-15 fellow explorers (all of us together) and in smaller breakout groups of 3-5 other caring, curious peers eager to discover more about themselves and their growth edges.
In a time where the world is riddled full of uncertainty and challenges, One of the most important things we can do is to learn to lead ourselves better and love more. We can’t control what’s happening around us, but we can upgrade our operating system by becoming more wholeheartedly involved in our lives, families, and work.
Maybe it’s time to focus on developing real skills for living and leading with more purpose and joy.
I believe that our life is soaked in grace and God’s life is in and through all things. Which means this journey will be a fully integrated (mind, body, spirit) exploration as we push the contours of our frontier.
I’ve led this type of program with hundreds of global executives, yoga instructors, creatives, stay-at-home moms (humans like you and me). They report that they experience more joy, purpose, and zeal in their work, life, and relationships.
How often will we meet?
We will meet weekly for 90 minutes on Wednesdays, Oct. 7th – Nov. 11th in the morning.
Are there pre-work or commitments in addition to the weekly 90 min Zoom meeting?
Yes. Plan on budgeting an additional 1-3 hours per week to complete pre-work, commitments, and assignments. This will include the following e.g., reading an article or a book chapter, self-reflection journaling, speaking with another virtual explorer partner in the program and Slack channel community interaction.
Here’s a partial list of some awareness practices woven into our weekly dialogues
- Doing less, but better
- Running small experiments in life
- Letting go of outcomes by focusing on tiny steps forward
- Get more of your life back by reducing distractions
- Listening deeply to your life
- Learning to pace yourself
- Resilience practices
- Deepening your relationships
- Building greater awareness of your reactive tendencies
How much does Part 1 Virtual Explorers program investment?
+Six x 90 minute weekly explorers group
+Slack group community
+30 minuted 1:1 call with Aaron at the beginning of the program
+Engagement with caring and curious like-minded participants
+Explorer buddy partnering to journey together
$747 price per person October 5th through November 13th
Not included but required: Additionally plan on purchasing several books. We will be reading specific chapters (or listening on audio) to a selection of curated content.
Optional Part 2: In-person adventure
Optional In-Person Adventure Two-nights & three days October 23rd-25th in Boulder, CO
Yes, there are two parts to the program (Part 1 Zoom weekly group sessions for six weeks) and an optional in-person adventure. Given the pandemic, not everyone is able or willing to participate in an in-person adventure experience. We will keep this portion optional and not required.
Included:
- Daytime adventures Friday 23rd, 8 am-5 pm and Saturday 24th, 8 am-5 pm. Adventures options to include but not limited to day hikes, peak climb, mountain biking. Come prepared to play outside regardless of the weather conditions!
- Group dinner Friday 6pm-9pm
- World-class adventure guides (that’s me: and another guide)
- Group gear, e.g., first aid supplies, repair kit, emergency communication device, etc.
Not included:
- Two-nights lodging at the Basecamp Hotel in Boulder, CO (or something similar). Yes, we’re sleeping indoors 🙂 October is guaranteed to bring unpredictable weather. *You will make your own hotel reservation.
- Transportation
- Park entry fees
- Breakfast, daytime food/snacks
- Saturday night dinner on your own
- Personal gear and supplies
- Gear rental may be required at additional cost e.g., Mountain Bike (TBD)
Part 2 optional in-person adventure investment?
Price per person $447 October 23rd-25th in Boulder Colorado
What’s the investment total if I want to do both Part 1 & Part 2 combined?
For both the six week Virtual Explorer’s program October 5th through November 13th and the in-person two-nights, three-days Adventure October 23rd-25th in Boulder Colorado
$1,194 per person
Registration & details
Registration is open. Fill out your application here.
There is a required application to complete to be considered for this experience.
Registration is closed for 2020.
FAQ’s
Can I join the in-person adventure and skip the Zoom stuff?
Sorry, but you’ll need to be a Virtual Zoom Explorer also to join the in-person adventure. The mountainous experience is part of the transformational adventure that starts with human to human connections on Zoom.
Is there a discount if I do both?
No, and I believe the program value you’ll receive is much greater than the dollars that you will invest.
What level of physical fitness do I need to participate in the in-person adventure?
To enjoy the experience, you need to be in moderate to high physical fitness level comfortable hiking for a full-day at altitude (8,000 feet -11,000 feet) over mountainous terrain.
Why is there a required application?
The magic in the program happens from the human connections. We want to make the experience optimal for everyone and we want to know more about you to confirm this program will meet your needs.