www.globalritesofpassage.org
Wilderness Rites of Passage
Over the
last 35 years, many organizations and individuals around the world have been
trained and are guiding people of all ages through nature-based, wilderness
rites of passage, often called the vision quest or vision fast. Modern culture
leaves many people feeling isolated and disconnected from their deepest
passions and purpose in the world, and hungering for connection with the larger
community in authentic ways.
Vision
Fasts help us step out of the busyness of everyday life and into the natural
world to remember what our ancestors knew about the importance of nature,
ceremony, and initiatory rites. Through this connection with the mirror of the
natural world and the challenge of time alone in the wild, we are able to move forward
with strength and confidence to positively influence our families, work places,
communities, and the world.
International Community of Guides
As the number of
guides around the globe has increased dramatically, the need and desire to
collaborate together has expanded in order to further our mutual learning and
to find the commonalities inherent in all of humanity.
Since 2002 the
international community of wilderness guides have been gathering every 2-3
years to celebrate and support the development of trainings and programs
in various places around the world. Guides come from the United States,
Canada, Germany, Switzerland, England, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Australia,
South Africa, among other places. Gathering together internationally is
important for guides to enable them to better serve their local communities while holding a global perspective.
South Africa
Ten years ago we met in South Africa and
learned a great deal about the various ways that wilderness rites of passage
work holds a significant role in the building of and reconciliation in the new
South Africa. Inner-city gang youth, HIV patients, women’s programs and others
were represented at the Gathering. Organizations such as Educo and Usiko continue amazingly
effective work with challenging populations.
At the last gathering in 2012 in Ukraine, the
South Africans called forth our collective energy and support to once again
come to South Africa and join hands with them in a country that presents many
difficult situations and transformative opportunities. From all parts of the
globe we will come together to reconcile old conflicts and new ones through the
development of innovative adaptations of our basic tools of council with nature
and each other.
We Need Your Help
Our goal
is to encourage an intergenerational gathering of guides to help fuel this
important and growing work for current and future generations.
Your tax-deductible
donations will go toward scholarships for applicants to attend the gathering in
South Africa from September 28 - October 5, 2014.
Our goal
is to raise $5,000 through this campaign, with a total of $10,000 needed for scholarships. The more we can raise, the more guides will be able to
attend this important Gathering. Your donation is tax-deductible, and for
your help you will receive the thanks of many and one of the gifts below. And
if you can't donate right now, please help us spread the word about this
campaign by using the Indiegogo share tools.
We can't
do this without you! Please consider joining us in this important work
that is helping to transform communities across the world.
Global Rites of Passage
Global Rites of Passage, a 501(c)(3),
non-profit organization, was formed in 2008 to help effectively foster
these gatherings.
Our mission is:
- to provide education and information to the public
about the use of nature-based Rites of Passage in different countries
- to serve as an educational site regarding environmental
sensitivity (leave no trace ethics, low impact camping, permitting, etc.)
that nature-based Rites of Passage guides can use to pass on to their
participants, and the public
- to serve as a web-based hub for organizations from
around the globe using nature-based Rites of Passage models
- to plan and produce meetings of interest to
nature-based Rites of Passage guides from around the globe
- to provide scholarships to enable people in need to
attend meetings of nature-based Rites of Passage guides from around the
globe
- to raise and disburse funds as needed to achieve these
purposes