and thank you for expressing an interest in Threshold Passages.

For thousands of years men have initiated boys into adulthood. The need for initiation and mentoring is hard-wired in men and boys. Over the last few hundred years these traditions have been lost. Boys have always needed initiation rituals to help them transition from being boys, to firmly entering the path to manhood. It is at this intersection they need some mentors and teachers who are not within their direct family system, such as parents, step parents, guardians, etc.

As they begin to mature and transition away towards independence from this family system, they need models of adult (and older teen) men who they can be real with and who will support them without judgement. Also, each boy comes to this life with a mission. But our society (especially without these rituals and mentors) tends to steer boys away from their true missions. It is easy to get lost, lose direction, and to wander into unskillful and sometimes even dangerous territory in search for their initiation and true paths. Teenage boys need good men as role models and mentors to help them see options and weigh consequences to make good choices.

Today, many boys are creating their own rites of passage using alcohol, drugs, crime and sex. These methods don't work and lead to gangs, violence, prison and teenage pregnancies. Even boys that don't choose the hardest road face difficult challenges. High divorce rates, poor self-esteem and a culture that teaches boys to shut down feelings have long term effects on boys during this critical time of their lives.

Threshold Passages creates a unique place where boys between the ages of 12 and 17 can regularly interact with dedicated, conscientious adult men with the understanding that each boy can become a man of honor. Threshold Passages helps boys discover their own individual strengths, talents and gifts. Caring men model positive masculine behavior and challenge boys to act responsibly to others and themselves. Equipped with this information, boys can then develop positive life skills and goals that can be expressed in their lives and shared within their community.

For boys, participation begins with the Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend (RPAW), which is held annually. During this intensive weekend, boys experience an authentic and powerful initiation into their journey to become men. Adult men on staff model integrity, courage, respect and leadership. It is a challenging, exhilarating and life-changing experience that many say they will never forget.

Once boy has completed the RPAW he becomes a JourneyMan, on his journey to manhood, and can participate in an ongoing mentoring program called JGroups. In JGroups, JourneyMen and mentors have fun, develop trust and explore the insights and capacities gained from the RPAW.

Mentors can join Threshold Passages at any time. The only requirement for men is to pass a state and national criminal background check. Two levels of training are available for mentors. The first is Reclaiming Your Teenage Fire, which helps men get in touch with their own teenage energy, and Working in the Ring of Teenage Fire, which covers the methods and techniques used for mentoring in JGroups.

For the community, Threshold Passages offers an experiential workshop in partnership with Living Arts Foundation for parents of teenage boys called Living with Teenage Fire. This intensive uses constellation work to bring awareness and healing to family systems. More info on Living With Teenage Fire here.

Dear visitors, the links below are listed to get you started in a direction that may feel the most appropriate for you...

• I am a parent >>
   
• I am a young man, age 12 to 17 >>
   
• I wish to be involved in this work >>
   
• I am interested in contributing financially and will contact you for details >>