Youth Soul Quest Weekend

“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!

The Youth Soul Quest will be limited to ten participants. Apply early if you wish to join!

Paul Abodeely, MA, LMFTA, has been working with youth and adults in the natural world and in clinical, educational, and social service settings for over 15 years. He has led programs with Rites of Passage and with related organizations. Paul is skilled at supporting and empowering young people as they face the challenges of becoming healthy and successful adults. He brings authenticity, joy and wholeness, in addition to a deep familiarity and ease with the natural world to his work.

Frost Freeman, MA, spent several months of 2013 preparing for her own Elderhood Celebration, a new version of life. Her training and experience include being a licensed counselor, energy psychology, the power of mind and heart, nature and the medicine wheel, and spiritual skills. She loves working with people who want clarity about their life in a deeper way, and vision and direction in a spirit-to-practicality continuum. One of her greatest strengths is the ability to “see” something of a person’s true being, even at times when they cannot. Frost loves dance and water slides.

The Weekend Schedule

On Friday, August 26th we will drive together to the site on pristine land near north of Cle Elum. Day 1 is time to get settled and prepare to spend most of Day 2 on your own. The majority of the day will be spent exploring and reflecting on where you are at this point in your life: where you have come from and what you carry with you. In groups and individually, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your life’s story. Time will also be dedicated to clarifying your intention for tomorrow’s solo time. Safety and orientation will also be covered.

Saturday, participants will rise, join the ceremonial circle, and walk into your Soul Quest. For the rest of the day you are encouraged to refrain from eating or interacting with other people. You will bring a journal, more than enough water and clothing, and are welcome to bring a light snack. This solo time is the heart of the Soul Quest. It is a time when participants find a sense of clarity and connection with the natural world and with their own nature. In the late afternoon you return to a welcome ceremony and a feast prepared by the guides.

Sunday is a day to tell the story of your Soul Quest. Guides will help you find the meaning and power in your stories, to celebrate your accomplishments, and to begin to bring these things home with you. We leave in the afternoon and arrive back to Seattle by 5 pm.

During the course of this weekend we will utilize the Way of Council, a group practice of speaking and listening from the heart. We will also bring in the concept of the Medicine Wheel. Based on Native North American and nature-based traditions and combined with contemporary psychological approaches, the Medicine Wheel is a helpful framework to examine stages of personal development and our relationship with family, community and the natural world.

Note: This experience will include a degree of challenge. Of course everyone’s physical safety is most important. No one will do anything they are not comfortable with, but we do see the value of stepping out of our emotional and physical comfort zones within safe limits. Guides are certified in Wilderness Medicine, and we will be within an hour of medical attention. This trip is operating in affiliation with Rites of Passage, which is providing liability insurance.