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Teen Rite of Passage

Interested in Teen Rite of Passage?


Rites of Passage allow us to encounter ourselves, to listen for our stories, and to know who we are -perhaps for the first time. David Blumenkratz in Coming of Age the Rite Way


Important Dates


Friday, May 18
Preparatory Meeting For Teens & Parents
Teens: 5:30pm – 8pm
Parents: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Friday, July 13: Optional
Optional Preparatory Meeting For Teens
Teens: 5:30pm – 8pm

Friday, September 21
Preparatory Meeting For Teens & Parents
Teens: 5:30pm – 8pm
Parents: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Friday-Monday, October 5-8, 2018
Teen Rite of Passage
Starting 5:30pm Friday
Ending Monday at noon

Friday, October 19
Family Celebration of the Teens
6pm – 8:30pm

Additional Questions?

Drop us an email or give us a call and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
hello@wildearth.org
(845) 256-9830

Teen Rite of Passage

We’re pleased to announce that this year, Wild Earth is offering an intimate and community held rite of passage experience for current 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade teens who are currently part of our year-round programming.

Our leadership and program staff (and likely you too) have noticed significant changes in your teen. We believe the time has come (or is coming soon) to acknowledge and celebrate the metamorphosis your teen is undergoing.

We are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for your teen to participate in a transformational, culturally appropriate experience akin to rite of passages that young people have undergone in most societies throughout human history. We believe these experiences are essential so that teens can fully embody the mysterious, authentic, and heroic parts of themselves.

What is a rite of passage? One way to define it is: An intentional and meaningful marker from one state of being to the next.

This is the time for adults/mentors to talk openly with teens about how the autumn of childhood has arrived, and in a sacred context, to ask them questions like “what are your unique gifts?”, “who are you becoming?”, “what parts of yourself do you wish to celebrate?”, and “what parts of yourself are you ready to leave behind?”.

When teens rise to become young adults inhabiting their unique gifts — witnessed and honored by their community in rites of passage — the village becomes whole.

What will we be doing?

Our aim is for the teens to face their innermost selves, challenge the endurance of their attention and focus, and hopefully come away knowing more deeply who they are and what questions they hold in their hearts.

For this rite of passage, teens will be given a 24-hour firetending and solo experience. In the months preceding their solo, teens and parents will separately convene to prepare for the rite of passage.

On the weekend of the rite of passage, teens will spend three nights living in the forest.

Friday – Arrival & Orientation

Saturday – Preparation

Sunday – Send Off For Solos

Monday – Acknowledgement & Celebration

A more detailed explanation of the weekend’s schedule will be provided to parents at the first parent meeting.

Friday, October 19 – Celebration

Families will come together for a potluck dinner at which together we will witness and celebrate the teens. Teens will be invited to share stories, insights, and intentions from their solos.


What Does This Cost?


Payment By Donation
It takes a village. We are counting on the generosity of participating families and our community at large to cover the costs associated with this offering.

A rite of passage is a child’s birthright. That said, this year’s rite of passage is projected to be a $8,900 endeavour (roughly $556 per person for 16 participants).

When you register, (and again after the rite of passage is complete) you will be invited to donate towards the expenses associated with the rite of passage. You will also have opportunities to contribute your time and services (bringing food, firewood, etc) throughout the offering.

Parent Support & Participation
A rite of passage cannot happen in a vacuum. We ask that parents plan to join us for two meetings where (without our teens in the room) we can discuss what you’re seeing in your children and how your family life is changing as your child grows older.

Likewise, we will be asking for your help, support and participation — above and beyond what we ask for in our regular programming including: coordinating various logistics, bringing potluck meals, and other camp-related tasks.


Who is this experience for?


This rite of passage is designed for teens that are currently in 8th grade (or older) and are participating in Atlatl Boys, Artemis Moon Girls, and Ropes for High School Students.


“There may be no greater challenge than raising our children and grappling with the problems of living in a complex world. What can we do? We can remember the traditional wisdom of rites of passage. They guide everyone in a community to come together, to nourish life, and to raise children in such a way that they develop deep feelings of connection and belonging to all their relations.” David Blumenkrantz in Coming Of Age The Rite Way



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