In today’s culture, intentional rites of passage for youth entering adulthood have mostly been lost or at least diminished in importance. Many of our teenage boys initiate themselves in ways that are unhealthy for their development, such as their first experiences with drugs, alcohol or risky behaviors.
Intentional rites of passage have played an important role in cultures for thousands of years, as experiences that challenge boys in a safe way to consciously explore the men they wish to become. It is an opportunity to let go of old patterns that no longer serve them.
Our weekend incorporates physical, mental, and emotional tests (in a shame-free environment). 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.
Boys will arrive onsite on October 14th at 4:00 pm. If you have a young man who you would like to sign up, please first reach out to Brant Evans at Journeymenasheville@gmail.com. Tuition is $500, with some scholarship assistance available based on need.
Additionally, this work only happens if healthy male mentors step up! If you are a man looking to make an impact, please consider joining us in a staff role.
Men will arrive on-site on Thursday, October 13th, at 3:00 to begin preparations for the weekend.
We ask that staff contribute a $130 staffing fee to offset basic food and housing costs. However, if the cost is a significant deterrent, please reach out on an individual basis and we will find a way to work with you.
Our weekend will be held at Camp Talisman in beautiful Zirconia, NC.
Greetings Journeymen Family,
On Sunday, August 7th, from 5:00-8:00, Journeymen will host our first annual Summer Celebration -- A look back at an amazing year.
Our hope is that we can bring our community together to honor the growth and progress of our boys, and remind ourselves about the importance of this work.
Food will be provided (along with beer/wine for those 21+), and there will be a silent auction and some other activities. All funds raised go back towards Journeymen programming!
Boys are invited to dress up for the event if they would like – this will be a bit more upscale than our typical group meetings.
Tickets for the event, which cover food and drinks, are priced at only $30 (with discounts for active mentors and no cost for our boys/families).
We hope to see you there!
(Here's a teaser of some items that will be available via silent auction:)
Inner Work for Outer Impact
Join us May 12 - May 15 for a men’s leadership development, skill-building, community-centered weekend at Camp Arrowhead in Zirconia, NC.
- How does exploring our inner world allow us to better connect to another’s experience?
- What does it mean to be an effective mentor?
- What skills must we nurture in order to show up in a powerful way as a leader and community member?
These are not rhetorical questions. The mythologist Michael Meade claims that mentoring is an archetypal activity; that is, we all hold within us a blueprint for contributing to others’ growth. It is up to us to unlock this potential.
Join us as we search for the mentoring “genius within”, with assistance from the archetypal framework laid out by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette.
Participants will leave this weekend with
- A deeper understanding of their unique mentoring gifts,
- Specific tools for mentoring drawn from Journeymen's work, executive coaching models, and applied psychology,
- Awareness of avoidance patterns that sabotage one’s ability to hold leadership,
- A sense of connection to a healthy community of men,
- A clear sense of the inner, possible untapped resources of archetypal wisdom,
- And a more clear sense of their capability and responsibility to make a difference in the next generation of young men.
Each day we will use myth and experiential activity to dive into a specific male archetype (King, Warrior, Magician, Lover), examining our relationships to this inner character and the promise that each carries. Along with the study of archetypes, we will work through specific skills that can set us apart as excellent leaders & mentors:
Warrior - Balancing appropriate structure: How do we balance boundaries with freedom?
Lover - Recognizing positive intent: How do we see the deeper intentions behind behavior?
Magician - Asking engaging questions: How do we ask questions that summon up problem solving skills and curiosity?
King - Blessing others: How do we affirm the talents of others in a way that promotes autonomy and self-esteem (rather than codependency)?
The event will run from 3:30 pm on May 12th through 2:00 pm May 15th. Tuition for participants is $400 which includes food and modest lodging, with a sliding scale available as needed.