The Rite Journey - Overview

The Rite Journey Program

‘The Rite Journey’ allows each student to share in a year long partnership with his teacher as they explore together what it means to be a respectful and responsible adult in their society.

Given the current view that initiation and rites of passage should be renewed for young people, especially boys, in Western culture, a feature of the program is specially created ceremonies held throughout the year. These celebration points that are part of the rites of passage follow the “7 Steps of a Hero's Journey” and are specifically designed to be relevant to the context of young people. They are known to strengthen partnerships with parents and mentors.

Some of the topics covered in the curriculum of the program are ‘Personal Biography’, ‘Gender Identity and Construction’, ‘Feelings and Beliefs’, ‘Love, Relationships and Sexuality’, ‘Anger, Bullying, Depression and Violence’, ‘Risk Taking’, ‘Stillness, Meditation and Relaxation’, ‘Communication’ and ‘Mentoring’.

These topics are explored using a variety of initiatives including a Solo Experience, Adventure Camps, World Drumming, Rock and Water, Journal Writing, Mentoring, Major Projects, Talking Sticks and Juggling along with the establishment of strong connection points with the students, teacher, parents/care-givers, other mentors and peers.

The program is aimed especially at year 9 students (age 14 - 15) and involves both specified curricular content and an over-arching framework: The Rite Journey. It works in the setting of single gender classes with a same gender teacher-guide who lead the students through the year-long program.

The curriculum content is flexible and designed to fit within each school's context. A variety of ideas are available to choose from, all of which are instrumental in guiding adolescent boys towards manhood.

The Rite Journey framework uses the "7 Steps of a Hero's Journey" model to mark milestones in the passage of these young people from boyhood to beginning adulthood.

The program is a unique rites of passage experience designed to reach every boy in a school and provide a meaningful transition at this important time in the young person’s life.