Fowler Keesling

Fowler aims to provide the safest and highest quality mentorship experiences for your child. He prioritizes essential outdoor skills and physical safety in back-country adventures, while also fostering personal growth and relationship building. This section will highlight his extensive experience in the field and the inspiring story behind his commitment to creating this organization.

Safety First

Throughout my years of guiding trips for all age groups, I have developed a deep understanding of safety in the backcountry. As a Wilderness First Responder, I have extensive experience managing medical emergencies in remote environments, from treating major lacerations during snowshoeing trips to handling cases of appendicitis and altitude-induced blood clots. My training and experience have taught me that prevention is paramount.

At my previous organization, I was responsible for a range of tasks, including developing risk management protocols for our expeditions and training my team of guides in first aid and emotional de-escalation. During these training sessions, I emphasized the following key principles.

Prevention: Anticipating potential issues and creating systems to prevent errors.

Response: Developing a comprehensive plan to minimize risks when things go wrong.

Reaction: Remaining calm and thinking quickly on your feet as situations unfold.

While knowing how to safely set a broken bone is crucial, it's equally important to establish systems that prevent such injuries in the first place. My goal is to manage risks effectively, acknowledging that unpredictability is an inherent part of life. I am trained not only in addressing safety and first aid concerns but also in employing emotional de-escalation techniques and psychological first aid.

Regardless of whether a participant requires a bandage for a minor cut or treatment for frostbite and hypothermia, I respond in the same manner—calmly, competently, and supportively. My role is to ensure the physical and psychological safety of your children while challenging them to find growth and development just outside their comfort zones.

- Fowler

Social Emotional Learning:

I have extensive experience in social-emotional education and restorative practices. I have led a wide range of programs, from day camps for 8-year-olds to 30-day backcountry expeditions with teenagers. This diverse range of experience has provided me with valuable insights from both students and colleagues. Over the past two years, I have concentrated on running social-emotional development programs and leadership training for inner-city high school students, primarily from Chicago and California. Working with this diverse student body has strongly influenced my facilitation approach.

I am a strong advocate for social-emotional education. Whether dealing with conflicts between participants or facilitating reflection on past choices and impacts, I view every situation as a learning opportunity. I firmly believe that people are good but sometimes will make poor choices. My approach to social-emotional learning and restorative practices involves challenging participants to critically evaluate how their actions and words impact each other as well as themselves. Simultaneously, I provide compassionate and empathetic support, ensuring everyone in my programs feels they have a non-judgmental space to grow and the tools they need to thrive. This dual focus on accountability and support fosters a positive and transformative learning environment for all participants.

Education:

I have served as an educator, camp counselor, program designer, and mentor for teenagers over the last 5 years. In my previous role as a program facilitator, alongside running a social emotional program, I instructed as a more formal educator, working alongside chaperones from schools across the country in providing educational and college related resources for our student body. I am currently in school working on getting my masters degree is psychology so that in the future I may open my own counseling private practice and broaden my scope of service.

Backcountry Trips:

As mentioned earlier, I've had the opportunity to guide many backcountry trips with participants of all ages and abilities. Beyond guiding, I'm an avid long-distance backpacker. In the summer of 2023, I undertook a solo hike along the Collegiate Loop, covering 140 miles in just eight days, navigating approximately 33,000 feet of elevation gain and descent. This experience marked my second solo long-distance trek and provided invaluable insights into the intricacies of backpacking. Through these adventures, I've honed my skills in everything from mastering proper hiking techniques to meticulously planning successful itineraries and resupply strategies.

Experience

Story

At the age of 19, I attended my first rite of passage with the School of Lost Borders. This decision came after a challenging time in college when I faced a significant mental health crisis. I won't delve into all the details here, but suffice it to say, I was navigating a period of unpreparedness for life and surrounded by influences that encouraged destructive behaviors. This eventually led me to a pivotal moment in a mental hospital, facing the consequences of my choices. It was a deeply painful experience, impacting not just myself but also causing suffering to those closest to me.

In the aftermath, I explored various treatments, including therapy and psychiatric medication, yet found little relief. While medication alleviated symptoms, it left me feeling disconnected and devoid of drive. I grappled with a sense of having lost control over my life and struggled to find meaning.

Seeking a different path, I turned to a mentor who suggested a vision fast as a means to reconnect with my inner self. Through the vision fast, spending four days and nights out on the land with nothing but a tarp, sleeping bag, four gallons of water, and the clothes on my back, I embarked on this journey, finding solace and healing in nature's embrace. The experience introduced me to the concept of the four shields, teaching me that our deepest wounds often hold the seeds of our greatest strengths. Embracing and integrating my pain became a transformative process, one that allowed me to rediscover my purpose and heal through self-acceptance.

Amidst the quiet strength of ponderosa pines and the hum of hummingbirds, I rewrote my story and exclaimed to the world, "I am an intuitive man who can forgive himself for his mistakes and is initiated to use his power responsibly when bringing his gifts to the people!"

This rite of passage illuminated my journey into adulthood, showing me that true fulfillment lies in service, connection, and the lessons learned from our personal challenges. The impact of this experience on my life is profound, I can not fully communicate it in words, and I am deeply grateful for its influence.

From this place of gratitude and growth, I embarked on a new chapter that has led to Wild Heart Rites. My mission is clear—to create meaningful experiences for young adults that honor their unique gifts and challenges. In a world often defined by competition and comparison, I believe in fostering environments where every individual can discover their inherent worth and purpose.

Wild Heart Rites is rooted in the belief that mentorship and community are vital for nurturing future leaders, healers, and compassionate adults. As a facilitator, I am committed to guiding others toward meaningful encounters with their inner wisdom and the natural world.