Young Rites of Passage
Helping Youth and Young Men Discover a Deeper, More Authentic Life
Youth Rites of Passage (YROP) is a five-day retreat designed for teens ages 14–16 who are ready to explore the deeper questions of who they are and why they’re here.
Young Men’s Rites of Passage (YMROP) is a five-day retreat for young men ages 18–25 who are ready to discover a deeper sense of identity as they enter manhood.
About Young Rites
Both our Young Rites of Passage events are immersive five-day retreats that help adolescents and young men enter manhood with support, resolve, and a sense of their own belovedness. Our Young Rites are perfect for youth and young adults who are ready to explore the deeper questions of their identity, purpose, and belonging. Translating the riches of Illuman’s original Men’s Rites of Passage (MROP), this age-appropriate retreat invites younger men and soon-to-be men to step away from the distractions of modern life and enter sacred time and space. In this, we help a next generation of men discovering a masculinity rooted in integrity, goodness, and their unique authentic self .
Through time in nature, ritual, teaching, and small group Council, young men can begin the lifelong journey of discovering who they are and how they belong—not just to their families or peer groups, but to the broader community and the sacred whole.
Our Youth Rites of Passage (YROP) are best suited for adolescents from 14–16 years, though there is limited space for ages 13 or 17. Our Young Men’s Rites of Passage (YMROP) are best suited for young men from 18–25 years. Both of our Young Rites are especially appropriate for boys and young men who are:
Navigating life transitions or identity questions
Seeking deeper meaning or spiritual grounding
Looking for positive role models and community
Ready to step into a new phase of life with intention
The Young Rites for Passage are open to all teens and young men regardless of background, belief, or life experience. We have welcomed participants across the spectrum of race, ethnicity, ability, orientation, and worldview. We are united by a desire to go deeper—into ourselves, into the world, and toward each other.
Are you ready to discover who you are, what you’re made of, and the deeper path calling you forward?
Why Rites of Passage?
Across time and culture, communities have guided their young people through rites of passage to prepare them for adulthood, helping initiate young people to a new phase of life. Today, many young men are left to find their own way—with few elders, no meaningful rituals, and little guidance through life’s thresholds. Our Young Rites seek to fill that gap.
This experience helps boys begin to:
Step into a mature identity
Explore spiritual depth and inner strength
Receive blessing from elder men and community
Connect to the wisdom of nature
Face challenges that cultivate resilience and courage
Our Young Rites are not about forcing answers or beliefs. They are about opening space for young men to listen deeply to their own hearts, to the stories of others, and to the sacred mystery that surrounds us all.
What to Expect
This multi-day gathering includes:
Solitude and time in nature
Simple but powerful rituals and ceremonies
Teachings rooted in universal wisdom traditions
Small group council led by seasoned guides
Daily reflection and opportunities for journaling
Guidance from elders who offer presence—not perfection
Our Young Rites welcome teens and young men from all walks of life and are inclusive of all spiritual traditions, welcoming those who believe and those who don’t. We do not promote any one religion. What we offer is rooted in the values of belonging, authenticity, mutual respect, and deep listening.
"The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth."
—African Proverb
Upcoming Youth & Young Men’s Rites of Passage Events
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Youth Rites of Passage: Drum-Making Retreat
October 4–5, 2025
The DeSales Center – Brooklyn, Michigan -
Youth Rites of Passage: Young Men Rising
October 3–5, 2025
Rolling Ridge – Harpers Ferry, West Virginia -
Young Men’s Rites of Passage
June 26-29, 2025
21174 White Pine Creek Rd. Leavenworth, WA 98226 -
Youth Rites of Passage
July 9-13, 2025
South Fork, Colorado