Solo Crossing

A community-based three-week backpacking adventure designed to help teens navigate the road from childhood to adulthood.

"After her Journey, our daughter knew she could survive anything. What a positive passage into adulthood! She learned to speak her mind with clarity, grace, and integrity. This has been the most significant growth experience of her life."--Program Parent

"Attending Journeys was the beginning of our son's personal transformation into a young adult. His experiences with personal reflection allowed him to understand his own worth."--Program parent

The Solo Crossing program is a chance for teens to imagine how they want to be as adults, and then explore and practice what this means to them and their families, friends and communities. On the backcountry trails of the Olympic Peninsula, participants are challenged in mind, body and heart, within a supportive community of peers and mentors.

During three exciting weeks, teens develop a range of personal and interpersonal skills. A Ropes Course Challenge allows them to experience the rewards of working as a team. The first leg of a backpacking trek lets them practice teamwork and wilderness skills. They do other activities, such as a Walkabout and an End of Childhood ritual. Group discussions help participants focus on what each will seek as they cross the threshold into adulthood.

Mid-program, the youth embark on a solo vigil when they leave the group setting to be fully in their own company. Guided by nature and personal quiet, they contemplate letting go of their life as a child and looking forward to living courageously as an adult. After the vigil, their new insights are tested and integrated during a second backcountry trek. Throughout the program, each participant has an adult mentor – a journey guide – who helps them explore ideas that occur to them during the crossing.

During the final stage of the journey, participants sit in a council circle telling epic stories of their Solo Crossing and sharing visions of their future. Mentors, peers, and elders offer support as they talk about how to make their rite of passage relevant to their new lives.

Participants take advantage of a low tide and walk on the hard packed sand close to the waters' edge.

Outcomes for Solo Crossing: Improved self-confidence  Group communication and problem solving skills Understanding and taking responsibility Ability to listen to intuition Creative self-expression Leadership and teamwork skills Improved physical strength and personal resolve Knowledge of natural history of Northwest terrain Low-impact camping techniques Understanding of a healthy and appropriate path to adulthood Completion of a transformative rite of passage

Example Itinerary

Week 1: Participants, Parents or Guardians, and other members of the participant's community say good-bye during a send out ceremony at our basecamp in Bothell. Participants then head off to the Waterhouse Center for an overnight stay and a ropes challenge course. This is followed by a 5- to 6-day backpacking trip in the Olympics during which participants will learn wilderness, leadership, communal living and reflection skills. This stage is a preparation for week two.

Week 2: Participants begin to take on more responsibilities, taking ownership of many of the daily leadership tasks as they hike in to the Olympic Coast. Once on the beach, and a temporary base camp is set, participants will journal, make expressive art, and prepare for and complete a 48-hour solo vigil. 

Week 3: Participants return to basecamp in Bothell for a Council of Elders and Sweatlodge ceremony, in celebration of their journey and learnings. They reflect on the skills that they are bringing back to offer their communities as young adults. On the final day parents will return to Journeys for an incorporation ceremony before the program close.  

Financial Aid is available. Please visit our Scholarship Page for more information.