Operation charlie - Veterans of War’s third fellowship cohort

Medicine phase: july 26th, 2022 - august 2nd, 2022

Soltara Healing Center, San Jose, Costa Rica

On June 8th, 2022, Operation Charlie’s four male veteran members will begin coaching classes on a bi-weekly basis designed to create a long term container for healing. Specifically, Operation Charlie’s curriculum is designed to support overcoming traumas associated with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).

Charlie will have their curriculum delivered by a trained integration coach, as well as a VoW representative. This is VoW’s second all-male veteran fellowship. It is delivered by veterans and led by veterans to prepare particpants for an intense, 7 day workshop at Soltara Healing Center working with the rest of the team on a shared mission of healing from trauma with the help of community and Grandmother Ayahuasca.

Following Phase 1: Education and Preparation coaching, Operation Charlie will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica and then on to Soltara Healing Center’s compound to begin Phase 2: Medicine.

Recommended by none other than Dennis McKenna himself, Soltara operates in the Shipibo tradition; their ayahuasca contains no additives. VoW believes that Soltara’s healing program supports our team-based work in a particularly harmonious manner.

The team will meet for pickup on the morning of July 26th at 11am local time outside the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose. From there, the team at Soltara Healing Center will will have the ropes as we take a bus, then a ferry, then back on the bus to the Soltara Compund, deep in the Costa Rican jungle.

Charlie is encouraged to arrive the day prior in order to get the opportunity to offload gear, get some food, rest, and prepare for the official start of the workshop the following day. Charlie members will have the opportunity to participate in 4 ayahuasca ceremonies during their stay. These happen at night, usually around 8pm and are expected to last around 4 hours. On ceremony days, expect that dinner will NOT be served. Yoga will also be available prior to ceremony on all 4 nights.

Soltara Healing Center has facilitators and personnel on hand for all ceremonies and aftercare should medical attention be necessary. VoW staff will be present along with Charlie’s coach in order to facilitate or aid where appropriate if necessary.

Charlie members will share two, two-person suites, each with electricity, a private bathroom, wifi, and AC. VoW staff and coaches will stay in an adjacent unit. Charlie will have an itinerary to follow with optional opportunities for swimming, hiking, going to the gym, etc.

Food, lodging, and all workshop costs are all covered by VoW. Souvenirs or any special needs are the individual responsibility of Charlie members and should be planned for (the Maestros conducting the ceremonies will sell hand-made Shipibo items in the sacred maloka at the completion of the workshop, for example). We recommend bringing a couple hundred dollars cash for this event.

While mosquitos have not been much of a problem in the past at the Soltara Healing Center compound, we must remember that we are in Central America; expect rain, heat, and bugs. Sunscreen and bug-repellent are encouraged to be brought (DEET free, of course).

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be available at posted times for the duration of Operation Charlie’s stay.

Operation Charlie’s safety, cleanliness, and comfort through an uncomfortable process are a priority, within reason…but remember: “We didn’t promise you a rose garden!”

San Jose is arguably the most important city in Costa Rica and has a robust tourism industry. If you wish to buy souvenirs or experience life outside of the workshop, you’ll need to prepare for your trip accordingly!

Operation Charlie’s workshop at Soltara will conclude on August 2nd. Those wishing to leave immediately are warned not to book flights departing before 4:00pm local time. Charlie will have a small meeting at our drop off point at the Wyndham, then dismiss.

Integration classes hosted by VoW and delivered by our coach start the following Wednesday, and continue bi-weekly for the following four months. Veterans of War is committed to providing quality support and integration coaching to solidify positive outcomes.

At the conclusion of our program, November 16th, 2022, VoW adds Operation Charlie members to our Fellowship Alumni community where we have monthly meetings dedicated to their continued growth and support.

Finally, every successful Fellowship Graduate receives their official VoW email account.