Apprentice Program

Do you have passion for working with youth in the wilderness?

Would you like to experientially learn about creating and leading a coming of age experience this summer?

Facilitating a significant, and culturally relevant, rite of passage is an art.  It demands of the initiator to be fully rooted in authentic service and deeply connected to the wilderness inwardly and outwardly.  It takes a fully committed guide who is willing to weave meaning and value into the passage of every day.

Since the creation of Rite of Passage Journeys we have utilized an apprentice position on our backcountry youth programs to creatively and uniquely teach contemporary coming of age guiding skills. While we continually learn from our apprentices, Journeys is a commanding resource in this field; a pioneer in nature-based initiation.

Participation in this personal and professional development program will prepare you to co-create and lead a powerful one- to three-week youth program; including insights into the behind-the-scenes logistics and preparations. During this Apprenticeship you will:

• Study and implement our time-tested Rite of Passage curriculum;
• Gain an in-depth understanding of mentorship;
• Learn and use valuable wilderness skills;
• Practice Ritual Leadership;
• Develop leadership and facilitation skills; and
• Practice within the context of a created youth community.

Through the development of your skills as a coming of age leader you will also gain clarity about your own areas of gifts and growth. Challenges will be presented to you during this training but through the skilled guidance of our experienced program staff you will co-create with confidence and success. This program is certain to be a transition for you. 

"Being an Apprentice Mentor for Journeys was an invaluable experience. I am eternally grateful for the powerful experience of being able to learn, grow and expand my skill set from a credible, effective, holistic and life-changing program that has been developed and refined through years of labor and love. As an Apprentice Mentor, I was empowered to practice my leadership and facilitation skills; I was given the opportunity to push my own edges; I was able to learn about the curricular and programmatic design of an outstanding program without having to reinvent the wheel; I deepened my awareness and understanding of experiential learning, ritual and ceremony, rites of passage and wilderness skills; and I was surrounded, inspired and supported by an incredible tribe of heartfelt, passionate, experienced and skilled guides." Cara Walsh, Apprentice Mentor 2008

Our upcoming Apprentice Program will begin Thursday, May 27^th – 31^st with an experiential backcountry training for New Staff. This program will be led by two of our senior-staff members, otherwise referred to as Youth Program Coordinators, and focus on the distillation of our curriculum as well as relevant wilderness skills (ie. Backcountry Navigation, Cooking, Camp Craft, etc.).

Following the New Staff Training you will also participate in the following:

All Staff Training, Friday, June 11^th through 13^th. This training meets the range of all Journeys program staff and will offer a variety of ‘continuing education’ topics as well as offering the opportunity for leaders to connect and set intentions for the upcoming season;

One-on-One Mentorship with a Senior Journeys Staff person before and after co-leading a summer youth program;

Plan, prepare and lead a one- to three-week Journeys youth program; you may choose to lead multiple experiences during our summer season. This will include at least 3 days per program at our basecamp for logistical preparations (food and gear packing). You will also participate fully in our Send-Off (Severance) and Return (Incorporation) rituals. Room and board will be covered through the duration of your program leadership role(s); and

A closing Council of Elders (depending on your home location there will be the option of utilizing a phone conference for this portion of the training).

We are also suggesting that Apprentices consider additional (optional) trainings and experiences as part of preparation for summer roles. Pertinent programs include our weekend ritual leadership training called “Creating Soulful Rituals” and our “Adult Wilderness Quest.” These programs will be offered at their full cost to our Apprentices; however, scholarships are available.

Please contact us right away if you would like to apply for this program. Application will include submitting a current Cover Letter and Resume as well as the completion of four short essays, a program registration packet and an interview with our Program Director, Julie Adams. Please read our Apprentice Qualifications and download our Application to return along with your Resume and Cover Letter to our office via email (Julie@riteofpassagejourneys.org) or via postal mail.

We look forward to working with you this summer and supporting you as you develop into a soulful and confident wilderness leader. 

Why does this program cost $1001? Is that a typo?!

You read it right. It seems strange at first glance but the meaning behind it is significant. It is a common marketing practice to determine your full price (such a $1000) them subtract a few dollars to decrease the sticker shock -- it is amazing how much friendlier $995 looks than $1000! For this program we are presenting our full price (which is actually a highly subsidized price, thanks to our donors) as part of our Abundance Initiative -- changing our dynamic from scarcity to abundance and asking you to take part in the practice. The final dollar in the price, the reason it reads $1001 and not $1000, is representative of the gift that you are giving yourself. Our program, this training, will be a gift to you and by setting this intention early through a representative dollar your experience will transform into the wonderful present you are giving yourself. 

There are scholarship available for this training. Please visit our Scholarship page to learn more.