"Your work is profound!!! You held such a strong yet nurturing vessel for me do this work. You helped me find my courage to be more fully in the world and to take of more of what life has to offer.... This work is really alive. It continues to unfold in me, like a kaleidoscope revealing more depth and dimension every time I think about it…. I am at the trailhead again, this time walking into my shadows and my past. I feel fierceness, excitement and fear, just like I felt on the edge of the threshold. I look forward to this part of my journey with openness to learn, heal and regain my power!"
– Julie Ann W., 38, artist

"I experienced more than I could even convey to you...I am so glad that I had that chance to be alone...I feel like I have not been alone in nature in so, so long! It was incredibly healing- very powerful – your welcoming me back and blessing my new intention felt very special.

I must admit – it was a very special place and a very special moment in time for me. Your presence is very calming, centered, strong and welcoming. I felt so at ease – just the kind of containment I needed to allow my Lotus to Blossom! Thank You!"
– Claudia H., 34, therapist

"My experience with Wilderness Reflections was outstanding. Your vision quests are a unique mix of masterful consulting skills, appreciation of nature, knowledge of ancient traditions, and creative use of song, poetry and art. Dave asks the appropriate questions – often the tough questions - to help us open up to our deeper yearnings. Most of all, Dave uses his gentleness, wisdom and love to create a safe and nurturing environment for vision questers. Thank you for a very valuable and memorable experience."
– Lynn R., 46, organizational consultant

"I can say in no uncertain terms that this experience has changed my life in profound and lasting ways."
– Jon L., 31, community planner

"This is ten times more than what I expected....I’ve been to over 100 workshops and this blows them all away."
– Dan P., 41, entrepreneur

"The New Year's Millenium Quest in Death Valley fulfilled my greatest expectation. Thanks to you and Annie I find myself living in greater harmony with all of creation, with myself, with others and with God."
– Father Martin W., 62, O.P., Western Dominican Province

"The group ceremonies and sharing circle were incredibly validating, healing, safe spaces. I have never been in any group experience where I have felt as vulnerable and undefended, loved, understood, genuine, appreciated, connected and safe. They were invaluable and another totally unexpected gift and blessing."
– Yola H., 34, therapist

"I gained my real voice, with a great sense of wholeness.… I am more trusting of myself, of life. I made deep commitments to change my behaviors and I have held to that."
– David H., 37, therapist

"It was as if my whole life draped itself across the landscape like a tapestry for me to experience in a visual and tactile way. It was illuminating."
– Kristin M., 56, artist

"Dave was an ideal guide for this kind of journey for a number of reasons. His obvious love and passion for the work was an inspiring example for my own. He demonstrated a strong and compassionate commitment to my own growth and exploration through the entire process. I greatly appreciated Dave's flexibility and resourcefulness in creating an experience which fit my inner and outer needs.

He brought a rare combination of wisdom, creativity, soulfullness, and playfulness to the experience. His deep connection to nature and the traditions of nature-spirituality provided a well-spring of knowledge and inspiration in my preparations and during the threshold and reintegration elements."
– Jon L., 31, community planner

"My Wilderness Quest was one of the most profound, significant, and life-changing experiences of my life so far (I am 64). I recommend the quest experience, Dave, and Wilderness Reflections without reservation."
– Rudd C., 64, computer scientist

"One of the highlights of my quest was...an experience of myself, my deep wisdom, and a renewed connection to the earth that I soon realized was a source of my feeling separate."
– Mollie M., 30, teacher

"I could hardly recognize myself  in the mirror when I came back.  The light in my eyes is different…. I am more beautiful on the inside but less charming on the outside. I am peaceful inside now and feel comfortable in myself. I am more self-loving and compassionate. I can hold my center now in a way that is very new.  It has already been tested in conflict and I have not lost my center to anxiety, insecurity or reactivity."
– Yola H., 34, therapist

"There were so many valuable things...one thing which stands out in my mind is the opportunity to look inside of myself, and, through the vessel of my body find a new me. I found a person who wanted to dispel fear and live her life with openness. And that is what made all the difference...By being more open and more vulnerable, I had made myself stronger."
– Ariel W., 17, Youth Quest

"In all honesty, there wasn’t one aspect of the trip I didn’t enjoy. What you guys are doing is pure gold. I wouldn’t change a thing if I were you."
– Alex T., 17, Youth Quest

"Thank you for giving my son this opportunity at a critical time in his journey. I thank God for giving you this vision."
– David H., Youth Quest Parent

"This initiation into adulthood was a blessing for my daughter. She has emerged more self-confident, courageous, and self-aware....I know that some of the dreams and visions she received will guide her for a long time. I am very grateful to you for providing this for young people to stretch their wings into their coming adulthood – they will fly more true because of it."
– Sally M., Youth Quest Parent

"Being in the closing circle and hearing the experience of everyone who went through the quest was extraordinary. The level of authenticity, sensitivity and love that these teens showed is something that will be indelible in my mind. Of course, hearing others’ experience of my son was quite gratifying as well as his own willingness to be seen by the larger group.

I think Adam moved to a new level of maturity through this experience. He seems to be more solid in his sense of who he is. This takes the form of more confidence, willingness to be more authentic, more taking responsibility for his actions, less needing to be cool, and a sense of greater respect for himself as well as others.

I am learning to trust his judgment more and his ability to take care of himself. In that regard, I’m willing for him to discover what he needs to learn about the consequences of his actions without hovering over him to make sure he doesn’t mess up. There’s more of a trust that he can handle situations as they arise without the illusion that I need to or can protect him from disappointments."
– James Baraz, Youth Quest Parent

"We want to thank you for the amazing experience you, Shai, Amy, River and Will provided to Alex and the other questers. Alex is energized, renewed, expanded and enlightened. He is aware that he feels far more confident, more aware of his own personal values, more powerful, and more intrigued by the mystery. He even came back with a clearer focus on where he wants to go to college because of his interaction with the guides. And all this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the quest has given him and what he was able to derive from it.

As one of the parents said yesterday, it's a little scary sending a child off with a group of strangers to such a remote area to experience unique and potentially dangerous things.....but you and the guides instilled great confidence that did not disappoint. I would tell you that Alex is entirely transformed

Please let Alex's guides know that the experience was as deep and meaningful as could have been hoped for by Alex or his parents. We are very grateful to the work you have done to organize such effective journeys, and we are grateful to the guides for the incredible job they did with the questers during the experience. Thank you, thank you."
– Sondra and Ron T., Youth Quest Parents

"One of the highlights was that for a week I was able to live without any kind of electronics."
K.H., 14, School Trip

"What I liked best about the trip was the feeling of family and unity that the whole group had towards each other. Personally, I had a few enemies that were in my group. Now, afterwards, we have become good friends."
A.S., 15, School Trip

"I'd like to credit our family's experience with you and your service as being the first clearly identifiable step in the process of marching forward into our future with a greater sense of personal insight and dignity."
– Deb C., Youth Quest Parent