Darkness retreat & wilderness journey into adulthood for ages 15-18 year-olds.
At some point, children grow up. The change from adolescent to adult happens. Until quite recently, when a youth was going through these changes they were brought away from their family and community by a group of elders. They often went deep in wild nature where they died to their life as a child. Through the community-supported initiatory experience, they were then born into the power, beauty, knowledge and responsibilities of adulthood.
In collaboration with Rob Miller, founder of Cascadia Quest, we will be offering an eight-day program for 8 youth that will take place June 17th - 24th, 2025. This will include a 24-hour solo in the dark.
The experience is meant to sufficiently challenge the young person to leave behind their life and psychology as a child, and return with the emotional intelligence, courage, vision, knowledge and support to take up their life as an adult.
YOUTH RITES OF PASSAGE
Coming of Age
KNOWING WHAT
matters
"The most important thing is remembering the most important thing."
~ Suzuki Roshi
We live in a culture that often defines self-worth through fame, status, money, power, likes and followers.
From birth onwards, our kids adopt these types of cultural standards to gauge their worth. This can cover up the beauty and truth of who they innately are, and the depth of meaning in intimate, simple connection.
During their rite of passage, youth will spend 3 days in the surrounding wilderness with our experienced and compassionate team of leaders. They'll learn nature skills, take part in structured activities to deepen self awareness, and prepare for their 24-hour solo in darkness.
The immersion in darkness initiates them into a space where they are no longer able to look outside of themselves for a sense of worth. This inward journey brings them into an intimate and meaningful connection with themselves, their vision, and what is truly important in life.
Upon emerging, we'll spend a couple of days all together integrating, sharing and preparing the youth to return to their lives as young adults who know themselves beyond our cultural lens.
INTO THE
unknown
hearts
TENDING TO OUR
"The home we are looking for in this world is within us all along."
~ Michael Meade
Such an initiatory journey comes down to three basic steps.
First, a phase of separation detaches us from the daily world and disrupts familiar patterns.
The second step entails a period of undetermined duration involving uncertainty, ordeals and transitions.
The third step involves a reincorporation of community at a level of deeper understanding and greater unity."
~ Michael Meade
Welcoming Change
"Rites of passage begin with the sense of departure from one state or stage of life in order to arrive at a place of renewal and regeneration of life.
When: June 17th-24th, 2025
Where: Our retreat land in the Cascade-Siskiyou Wilderness in Southern Oregon.
Pricing: $3,250
Participants: 4 boys & 4 girls between the ages of 15-18.
Please email us at info@skycaveretreats.com if you are interested in learning more and/or registering.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION
“If we don't initiate the youth, they'll burn down the village just to feel the heat.”
- African Proverb