Rites of Passage, Inc., founded by Steven and Meredith Foster in 1977, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing meaningful rite of passage experiences for youth and adults. A rite of passage, a ceremony marking or celebrating the experience of a life transition, symbolically represents the end of one's old life and rebirth into new life. These ceremonies, which enabled our ancestors to find meaning and guidance in the major turning points of their lives, have largely disappeared from the modern industrialized world. Rites of Passage exists so that people in our modern world may undertake, complete and understand their passages, discovering within themselves meaning and vision.

Alone, seeking clarity within the circle of your deepest purpose, you cross the threshold of the old and open to the mystery calling you to new life. 

Our programs foster self-knowledge and self-reliance, as well as a spiritual dimension of respect for all beings and connection to the whole of Creation. We are committed to the highest ethics and standards as wilderness guides and outfitters, and practice "leave no trace" camping. We are active members of the Wilderness Guides Council (WGC), a group of guides dedicated to competent, ethical and ecologically sound use of wilderness ecosystems. We are proud to hold professional use permits from the following Federal entities:   the   Bureau of Land Management, Inyo National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Death Valley National Park.

Our guides serve as a loving mirror of story and meaning for participants in our programs. Staff members provide information, preparation, feedback and support, but nature is the real teacher for those who undertake the quest.

For the first time I had the experience of meeting the sacred, of being in the presence of the sacred.
                       --John, age 35

Rites of Passage can work with individuals or groups to create customized programs, from one day Earth Walks to ten day Vision Quests.  Contact us for more information.

If you would like to support our work with a donation, we would welcome it.  We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.  Gifts are used to fund scholarships.