"I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civilized to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society."

—Henry David Thoreau

YOUTH TRIPS

You are so young, so before all beginning, and I want to beg you, as much as I can, dear sir, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

—Rainer Maria Rilke


Our youth journeys are designed to offer a fun, thought-provoking, meaningful, and memorable experience to the participant's life. Young people today are faced with a different set of issues, challenges, and struggles than any before them have ever seen. The weight on the shoulders of many youth is nearly too heavy to bear, and the influences that pour onto them are oftentimes numbing at best, and manipulative at worst. It is an age of doubting and questioning for many young people today, as they step into a world of unknown possibilities. Recognizing the importance that todays youth will play in tomorrows world, we seek to use our trips to celebrate the vitality of the young, and to honor the challenges that they face.

Perhaps now more than ever, the youth are in need of time away from the dominant culture, time to breath, to decompress, to think, to reflect, and to touch into something real. Each youth program is designed with this in mind. We have sought to create experiences that are fun and exciting, while continually encouraging the dialogues that are most important to us. For each group, and each individual, these dialogues will touch on different things.

Many youth trips incorporate rites of passage as well as other forms of life-enhancing education and experiences. One aspect of our trips that continually proves to be deeply meaningful to participants is the option to spend time alone in nature. Solo time has been used in many ways by many different cultures and people, and it is often the defining activity of our trips. An initiation such as this can be especially rewarding and important for young people today, who often struggle to find their own voice amidst the many voices of the dominant culture (see Rites of Passage for more information on the solo experience).

Youth trips are designed for beginners, no prior experience is required (however, this does not mean that more experienced hikers will not find an appropriate level of challenge and discovery). Most trips are between 4 and 10 days in length. Each trip is unique. Each destination is beautiful and inspiring in its own way. Each group plays a part in the design of their adventure. If you or your child is interested in applying, you can download all the necessary information from this website (see Apply Now).

 

Graduating Into the Wild The Lost Coast

June 21st—29th

This backpack into the black sands and driftwood huts of the Lost Coast is designed for those who are just out of high school (though we will consider applications from anyone between the ages of 16-22). The trip is an opportunity for young men and women to participate in a rite of passage and play in nature as they move beyond high school towards a more independent, adult world. Perhaps college is the next step? Perhaps travel or work? Perhaps there is nothing but a blank slate ahead?         There is no greater challenge before young people today than that of discovering and expressing their authentic self. Youth are in need of constructive ways to push their boundaries, mark transitions, and find their own voices. This trip is just that. Graduating Into the Wild is about having fun while marking transitions in our life and setting intentions and exploring the wisdom and reflections in Nature.
        The trip focuses around a 1-2 day solo fast experience. There is a rugged and real beauty to the Lost Coast -- one that cannot be explained, only experienced. We tend to find the same sort of quality in the eyes of our participants when they return. Come see for yourself.
        $660 per person includes all dinners and transportation expenses. (Parents, if you would like to learn more about the trip or ways to get involved please contact us).


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