Growing up can be disorienting, especially when transitions from one developmental stage into the next goes unmarked or even unnoticed. Our coming of age programs prepare young people, and their parents, for the transitions that lie ahead. We work towards building the skills needed for the transition between childhood and adolescence through our Tides and Ridgelines programs, and our Blue Ridge Passage trip focuses on the tasks of adolescence, preparing for young adulthood.
We are committed to helping our young people grow into who they came here to be, and honor the potency and gifts of each developmental stage. We need a generation that is rooted and empowered, that can be caretakers of themselves, their communities, and the Earth.
Tides & Ridgelines
Tides and Ridgelines lay the groundwork for the upcoming transition from childhood to adolescence, and help both young people and their parents navigate the challenges and gifts of puberty. These programs are held outdoors and bring together boys (Ridgelines) and girls (Tides) and their fathers, mothers, grandparents, or other significant adults in their life. These programs are infused with the magic of fire, ritual, song, vulnerability, and the beauty of the Earth.
Blue Ridge Passage
The Blue Ridge Passage is a co-ed, week-long backpacking trip with a focus on leadership and personal discovery taking place, this year, in the beautiful Shenandoah National Park. Through strenuous hiking, solo time in the wilderness, ritual, and connection with peers and guides, participants have the potential for a truly transformational experience.