Each day, a participant meets with the Deer Hill field leaders to organize the day's activities. You look over maps, develop Time Control Plans, and discuss risk management. It is up to you to communicate the day's plans to the other participants, make sure everyone is sharing in the activities of the group, and to keep the group together. As Leader of the Day, you gain insight into the thought, care and planning involved in undertaking an expedition. Your level of responsibility is increased and leadership skills developed.

Just about every evening, as we wind up the day's events, we gather to share our thoughts, hear each other's concerns, and celebrate our accomplishments during the trip. Circle is about listening with respect. Only one person speaks at a time, and often a "power object" is used to identify the speaker as it is passed around the circle. It is a rare opportunity when one can truly feel listened to, and it is a very important, though subtle, element in all Deer Hill trips.

On the day the Deer Hill leaders decide to do "solos," the safety aspects of being alone for several hours are discussed. During this well-planned exercise, your Deer Hill leaders place you in a secluded area with incredible views. You may write in your journal, draw, relax or just think about the past three weeks. This is a wonderful time to quiet your heart and mind, and simply enjoy being in the wilderness.

If your Deer Hill leaders feel that you are ready to take on a higher level of responsibility and have the competency necessary to travel independently in the backcountry, you may become the leader of a hiking group. You break into two smaller groups, develop Time Control Plans (review maps, distances, travel times, weather, emergency procedures, contingency plans), and head out to a predetermined rendezvous point. Following trails, you lead your group for several hours, while your Deer Hill leaders bring up the rear, near enough to offer assistance.

On the last full day of the program, we have a light breakfast and begin to prepare for our sweat lodge ceremony. This is a traditional part of every Deer Hill program. Following weeks of living, working and playing together, our group has developed tight bonds of friendship that are strengthened and reinforced in the "Sweat." The sharing that goes on during this gathering helps bring closure to our Deer Hill experience. At the end of the ceremony, the canvas doors open to mark the beginning of our return to family and friends.