“Who am I?” “What makes me special?” “What am I doing with my life?”
Adolescence is a time filled with so many new, exciting, and sometimes scary things. It is a time of deep transition. You are no longer a child, but not quite fully an adult. It’s no wonder a lot of us feel lost, confused, or angry as teenagers. In traditional cultures all around the world this time was marked by certain “rites of passage”, like joining in a hunt, preparing a ceremonial meal, or surviving alone in the wilderness. These rites help teens get clear about who they truly are and identify what kinds of gifts they bring to the world. While we don’t have many of these rites of passage in our society, you may have noticed teenagers trying to answer these questions on their own by pushing boundaries of all kinds. It makes sense: to find out what we are made of, we take risks, questioning everything we’ve been taught, defining ourselves by how far we can take things. The problem is that teenagers cannot initiate themselves into adulthood; they cannot perform their own rites of passage without the witness, reflection, and celebration of elders who have themselves been initiated. That’s why we are offering the Quest. This is your chance to reflect on where you have come from, who you were as a child, and to challenge yourself to find out just who you are as you step into being an adult. It is an opportunity to connect with nature and your own source of guidance, to connect with other teenagers asking the same questions, and to celebrate the core of who you are!
What Soul Quest participants have to say:
“The experience had a large impact on me because I learned how to deal with many of the problems I have been struggling with in my life. It gave me time to reflect on the power of my heart and soul and come to grips with myself as a whole person regardless of imperfections. It was amazing how empowered I felt!” -Rose, 17 years-old
“I’m so glad I went on my Soul Quest. I know that I will use the knowledge that I learned here for the rest of my life. The experience was amazing and I would recommend it to anybody looking to clarify any of the uncertainty one inevitably encounters in adolescence.” -Elliot L., 15
The 3-day Soul Quest
When: August 26 to 28, 2016 (for a detailed schedule of the weekend, scroll down)
Where: Esmeralda Basin, near Cle Elum, Washington
Tuition: $350, includes food, camping, and transportation from Seattle. Financial assistance is available!