Challenge - A 24 hour wilderness solo experience
“The Rite Journey is already one of the best initiation into successful adulthood programs for adolescents in the world . It is therefore an honor and a pleasure to work with Andrew and Graham to make this program even better…{Read more}
Peter Ellyard
Futurist, Author “Designing 2050"
“A successful and happy adolescence entails hundreds of conversations about what matters, who you are and what you stand for.” Steve Biddulph
The Rite Journey program is taught in conjunction with the Student Guidebook and encourages many such conversations.
Throughout The Rite Journey students explore and discover consciousness, connection, communication, challenge and celebration:
Consciousness. The importance of raising a young person’s awareness of the issues that they might currently be facing as well as the skills and understanding that are required to navigate their way through beginning adulthood.
Connection. Acknowledging the importance of relationship over role. Encouraging a number of threads of connection (with self, teachers, parents/caregivers, mentor, Spirit and the world). Providing the all important ingredient of time to allow these connections to build and strengthen.
Communication. Understanding self-talk; communication and listening with others appropriately; prayer; hearing stories of adults’ experiences; having students share their stories and experiences.
Celebration. Acknowledging the transition into beginning adulthood; teachers and parents providing ceremony and celebration for the students as they are the ‘elders’ in our society.
Challenge. Providing physical, social, emotional and spiritual challenges as learning experiences and as a rite of passage.
Each of these areas is explored within term length topics: Relationship with self; Relationship with others; Relationship with Spirit; Relationship with the world.
Each of the 7 Stages incorporates a ceremony or celebration that leads the students to acknowledge their personal journey towards adulthood. These events are carefully crafted, unique experiences that are individualised to best suit the particular needs, resources and geography of each school. The 7 Stages are:
At a significant local landmark the students show gratitude for their childhood and are called on their journey to adulthood.
Parents, carers and mentors join the students for an opportunity to learn, reflect and look forward.
A mentoring program places another same-gender adult in the young person’s life.
Resilience is built in the students by giving them challenges and helping them acquire the resources necessary to overcome them.
The biggest challenge of the year puts students out of their comfort zone to help them learn more about themselves.
Students reflect on what they have learned and experienced over the year and celebrate their movement into beginning adulthood.
A gratitude ceremony and celebration with students, parents / carers and mentors.