Welcome

Rites of Passage offers Vision Quests, retreats and training programs that bring people into a deep encounter with the natural world, exploring the human-nature connection to reflect and transform the inner world.  This work begins with hearing the call to quest, an impulse as ancient as humanity:  the path of the hero/ine.  It will appeal to men, women and young people in life transition or change, and to those wanting to deepen their spiritual path and sense of purpose.  See below for more information about our programs.

Ceremonial Rites of Passage

In traditional cultures, rites of passage ceremonies serve to support individuals to recognize and take possession of their unique gifts and potentials, for the benefit of the entire community.  We affirm this same principle in offering our programs for the modern world, helping men, women and young people to undertake their passages with courage and insight, discovering gifts of love to bring back to their people. Read more...

Vision Quest

There comes a time when you must leave family, friends and work behind and go off alone, looking within to discover your changes in the circle of life. The Vision Quest is the name of this journey. The Vision Quest is an ancient  rite of passage ceremony, enabling men, women and youth to engage an age-old ceremonial pattern: completion of an old life, movement through the threshold of the unknown, and return to the world reborn. People in any life stage or transition will find meaning in this powerful process.

This is a path that has been followed by human beings for thousands of years. You hear these questions calling you-- "Who am I?” "What do I have to give?"  "How can I heal my wounds?" Despite being afraid, you know this is something you have to do. So you meet with others like yourself, and guided by caring staff you prepare yourself for the journey. You learn about the wilderness terrain, putting together the necessary equipment, about physical safety and survival, and about the inner terrain, going over the story that has brought you to this threshold. You study ancient symbols and teachings that will help illuminate your way. All the while, the small group is becoming a community, offering support and love.  Read more...

Youth Programs

With its core elements of wilderness, solitude and self-reliance, our youth Vision Quest provides an opportunity for young people on the threshold of adulthood to test their courage, self-understanding and capacity to live independently.  For younger teens, we offer programs that serve as "stepping stones" toward the achievement of independence.  As one young man wrote, "Just go.  It is an experience you cannot get any other way.  Everyone should be able to see life in this way."  Read more... 

Workshops

Based on the core principles of a rite of passage, Rites of Passage workshops support individuals to navigate life transitions, crises or changes with authenticity, courage and insight.  Workshops feature: clarification of purpose, earth-based spiritual tools that assist in the journey, intentional time spent in the natural world, reflection and deepening of the healing stories that emerge.  Read more...

Training Program 

Focused on learning about rites of passage in nature, utilizing practices and tools derived from native and non-native teachers and teachings, spiritual pathways, ecopsychology, and wilderness experience. For personal and professional development; for healers and leaders.  "This workshop served as powerful incorporation work and a bookend to the Vision Quest I undertook over four years ago." --Tom Anderson, Mirroring Workshop, December 2010  Read more...