The Need for Rites of Passage Is Greater Than Ever

These initiations were never just a formality or a threshold. They were tests that put these young men in uniquely challenging situations where they had to learn about their inner strengths and gifts in order to succeed.

What’s more, these rites of passage infused their natural drive for freedom and risk with a sense of personal responsibility! Unfortunately, in today’s culture, these intentional rites of passage for young men and boys entering adulthood have been almost completely lost.

As a result, young men and boys today are more likely to initiate themselves in much more unhealthy ways, like their first experiences with drugs, alcohol, or sex, as well as excessive video gaming, screen time, and social isolation.

Spring 2025

Purpose.
Self-Confidence.
Clear Life Direction.
Strong Social Connections.

All are critical for a young man on his journey towards adulthood.

The Journeyman Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend provides all of this and more.

For the last dozen years, parents have said, after their son’s participation in our Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend, he came home…

• more confident in him self.
• more open to communication regarding difficult personal issues.
• with less anxiety and resentment.
• more able to responsibly direct his life.
• able to focus and concentrate better in school.
• more capable of stepping into leadership roles.
• a new ability to identify his authentic sense of self.

The Journeymen Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend helps a young man to better know himself, cultivate healthy relationships, and capably and maturely begin to step into his inner knowing of what it means to become a healthy and mature man.

Rites Of Passage

A primary function of any rite of passage is to allow children to consciously choose a new adult identity rooted in self-reliance, clear life direction, and the support of others.

How the Journeymen Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend Works

Our Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend program is designed to support teenagers in leaving their daily environment, to identify and develop a healthy sense of self-esteem.

Through the support of mature male mentors who model emotional self-responsibility, relational intelligence, and generative life purpose, Journeymen will help your son into adulthood.

Our adult mentors will help to facilitate this process and help your child gain the skills and understandings they will need to fulfill their potential as members of the community.

Our Unique Approach

Our weekend incorporates safe physical, mental, and emotional tests. These tests can help a boy discover inner resources that he may not have been previously aware of, thus helping him gain new self-respect and confidence.

In our weekend, the tests are challenging, but do not involve winning and losing, which we believe creates the potential for shame.

Each boy has the opportunity to test himself in ways that build self-esteem and facilitate growth.

The Value Of Confidentiality

The specific processes facilitated at the rite of passage event are not publicly disclosed, so that, younger members of the community do not receive the adult information before they are ready, as the rite is considered sacred and personal and should not be treated casually.

The Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend also relies on a degree of theater, surprise, and spontaneous response that would be lost if participants knew in advance what was going to happen. (We can share all information with the parents or guardians, asking that this information be kept in confidence).

Honoring The Adventure

Following our Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend, the boys and young men who participate are honored for their accomplishments with a welcoming home ceremony and potluck feast.