What is Guide School?

You’ve walked into the wilderness of your own heart. You’ve learned to survive the wild you’ve found there. Now you’re being called to guide the hearts of others.

Wild At Heart Guide School is an invitation-only, four-day leadership formation experience hosted by John Eldredge and the Wild At Heart team in the mountains of Colorado. Created for men who have attended a Wild At Heart Retreat or Survival School, this gathering is for those ready to step into the sacred calling of guiding others.

This isn't another retreat. It's a commissioning.

Through new teaching, deep personal excavation, and small “story groups” led by experienced facilitators, Guide School will help you name your calling and prepare you to lead others into spiritual healing, freedom, and life with God.

You don’t just leave Guide School with tools.

You leave as a Wild Guide—someone entrusted to fight for the hearts of men and women in your world.

Event details

Date & Time: Monday, October 27th – Thursday, October 30th, 2025

Location: Trail West Lodge, Buena Vista, Colorado, USA

Check In: 4 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday, Oct 27

Conclusion: 12 PM, Thursday, Oct 30

Cost: $999 (includes lodging, meals, teaching materials)

What to expect

Over the course of four days, you will experience:

• Teaching & Formation – New content from John Eldredge and the Wild at Heart Team.

• Story Groups – Intimate groups of 3 men with 2 experienced facilitators for personal exploration.

• Prayer & Discernment – Time set apart to hear from God and clarify your calling.

• Brotherhood – A sacred environment of honesty, strength, and shared mission.

Who is this for?

Wild At Heart Guide School is for men who have attended either a Wild At Heart Retreat or Survival School and are ready for the next step.

Whether you feel the stirring to lead your first men’s group or have been guiding others for years, this experience is for those called to walk with others into the Kingdom.

How to apply

📅 Application Window: June 3-11, 2025

This event is lottery-based to ensure a fair opportunity for men to attend.

How to Enter the Lottery:

• On June 3rd, the application form will open.

• You’ll complete a short form describing your journey and desire to attend.

• Final participants will be selected and notified by June 25, 2025.

• Space is limited.

Key dates

📅 Applications Open: June 3-11, 2025

📩 Application Notifications Sent: June 25, 2025

🏔 Event Dates: October 27–30, 2025

How to prepare

Before applying, we encourage you to:

• Pray about your readiness to step into leadership

• Reflect on your journey through previous Wild At Heart experiences

• Talk with a mentor or spiritual ally about the possibility of attending

FAQs

Is this event open to the public?
No. Guide School is by invitation only and requires prior attendance at a Wild At Heart Retreat or Survival School.

How many men will be accepted?
We are intentionally keeping this gathering small and intimate. Space is limited.

What’s included in the registration fee?
Your tuition includes lodging, meals, teaching, and event materials. Transportation to and from the venue is not included.

What are “story groups”?
Each man will be placed into a small group with two experienced facilitators and two other attendees. These groups are designed for deep personal exploration, clarity, and calling.

What happens after Guide School?
Those who complete the experience will be commissioned as Wild Guides—invited to bring the message of Wild At Heart to their communities through leadership, presence, and prayerful guidance.