Classes & Events

We offer both online and immersive, nature-based, classes and events that provide a transformational experience that brings your personal and professional life into alignment.

The Open Circle Experience

Discover the unique qualities that set our programs apart from other professional and personal development classes and events.

Nature Informed

Using nature as a guide, we align your goals with the broader landscape of human experience to build clarity and confidence.

Hands-On Learning

We offer hands-on, human-centered learning with a mix of online resources and live experiences, where you can apply principles in real-world scenarios.

Expert Facilitators

Our facilitators have a mix of academic credentials and practical experience, ensuring a well-rounded and well informed experience.

Collective Wisdom

We work with the collective wisdom of our participants to enrich the learning experience and to foster connection.

Upcoming Classes & Events

In-Person
Event

Heroes Healing Songs from the Wilderness

Topa Bowl, Ojai CA
November 2, 2024
-
Nov 2, 2024
(
3 hours
)
$30
*
Join us for an unforgettable evening in the serene beauty of the Topa Topa Mountains. Celebrate the powerful journey of veterans healing through nature and music. Featuring performances by Atz Kilcher, Andrew Wiscombe, Stephen Covell, Kate, and Secily Anderson, this concert brings the stories and songs of veterans to life in a way that inspires, uplifts, and connects us all. All proceeds from this event will support veterans' healing trips to Heroes Healing Homestead.
Challenge:
Beginner
*Scholarships Available
Virtual
Class

Introduction to Guiding Change

December 3, 2024
-
Dec 11, 2024
(
4 x 90 minute sessions
)
$95
*
Change is inevitable in any professional setting, yet guiding others through it is one of the most critical—and difficult—tasks leaders face. Whether managing organizational shifts, driving team growth, or supporting individual transitions, the ability to lead through change is essential for career advancement and professional success. This four-part introductory course is specifically designed to equip professionals with practical tools and insights to navigate change with confidence.
Challenge:
Beginner
*Scholarships Available
Virtual
Class

Open Circle Foundations Facilitator Training

January 9, 2025
-
Jan 17, 2025
(
16 hours
)
$595
*
In this special training for organizational and community leaders, learn how to use the open circle practice to cultivate diverse, trusting communities and teams around a shared mission, driving synergy, innovation, and well-being. Learn the core principles and practical skills for leading open circles—enhancing active listening, building trust, and fostering empathetic communication. Whether you're in a corporate boardroom, classroom, or remote workspace, this practice will help foster effective collaboration.
Challenge:
Beginner
*Scholarships Available
In-Person
On Demand
Workshop

Guiding Change Intensive Part 1: Transformational Leadership

Topa Institute, Ojai California
April 2, 2025
-
Apr 6, 2025
(
4 days live + 12 hours online
)
$1,950
*
Unlock your potential as a guide of change. This program is designed for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the change process and develop the skills to guide individuals through transformation using nature as a tool. Key principles such as safety, trauma, and collective wisdom will be practically applied, emphasizing the role of a guide rather than prescribing a single "right" path. Whether your new to transformational work or an old hand, the course will grow your capacities and skills as a guide.
Challenge:
Beginner
*Scholarships Available
In-Person
Virtual
Program

Strength to Serve: Leadership Mastery Program

Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains
June 3, 2025
-
Oct 7, 2025
(
5 Months
)
$5,000
*
Imagine a program tailored for service professionals and non profit leaders where your journey is the driving force of your mission. "Strength to Serve" is a 5-month program that fosters transformation with empathy and courage. It includes guest teachers, 1:1 coaching, and a community of dedicated individuals. The core of this program is a 9-day backpacking retreat in the Sierra Mountains in California, empowering you to lead and serve with lasting principles.
Challenge:
Intermediate
*Scholarships Available

Photo by Mick Haupt

In-Person
Retreat

Soul and Spirit in Leadership

Owyhee Canyon, OR
September 11, 2025
-
Sep 20, 2025
(
10 Days
)
$3,500
*
Join an exclusive group of intrepid leaders, innovators, and pioneers on a new kind of leadership soul and spirit adventure deep in the canyonlands of Eastern Oregon, with its expansive wilderness, winding rivers, abundant life, and diverse human community.
Challenge:
Intermediate
*Scholarships Available

Photo by Laura Paredis

In-Person
On Demand
Workshop

Guiding Change Intensive 2: Mastering Collective Transformation

Lost Sierra Retreat Centre, Portola California
October 13, 2025
-
Oct 19, 2025
(
6 day retreat + 12 hours online
)
$1,995
*
As a leader guiding your team, organization, or community through change, you face complex challenges—whether it's resistance to the unknown, managing diverse group dynamics, or navigating changes in structures that guide how you work and relate to one another. This intermediate hybrid (online + retreat-based) workshop is designed to meet you at the intersection of these challenges, equipping you with the tools, strategies, and frameworks necessary to foster true collective transformation.
Challenge:
Intermediate
*Scholarships Available

On-Demand Classes

We offer several introductory online classes that you can take at your own pace, whenever it suits your schedule. Our classes include video tutorials, source materials, and exercises to enhance your learning experience.
Learn more

Scholarships

We are committed to accessibility and offer scholarships through our foundation to individuals in non-profit social and environmental service roles, veterans, and youth from under-resourced communities.
Learn more

Veteran & Youth Programs

Through our foundation, we offer free programs to youth in under-resourced communities and to people who work in service roles, like veterans, nurses, and teachers.
Learn more

At its core, Open Circle’s philosophy is about helping people become the best version of themselves. It’s not just another feel-good experience that fades away; people walk away with important answers, profound shifts, and a renewed sense of self.

- Atz Kilcher, Founder, Heroes Healing Homestead

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New training program for Guiding Change in Nature, Learn More