-- Rites of Passage has announced the dates for its upcoming Men's Wilderness Quest, a nine-day program scheduled for June 20 to June 28, 2026, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The program draws on more than 40 years of experience guiding men through a wilderness rite of passage that combines solo time in nature with group council sessions, mentorship, and ceremonial practice.
More details can be found at https://wildernessquest.org/schedule/mens-wilderness-quest-26/
The nine-day program unfolds across three phases. The first three days focus on preparation through council sessions covering safety, eco spiritual tools, and personal intention. Days four through six are dedicated to solo time in the wilderness. The final three days guide participants through a structured return process, including group sharing and feedback from program staff.
A 2024 Gitnux research brief found that 40% of men feel lonely at least once a week, while 15% now report having no close friends. Rites of Passage aims to address this gap by creating a structured space for reflection and renewal. Removing participants from technology and routine is intended to support the kind of deep self-examination that everyday life rarely allows. The solo wilderness period is designed to help men face personal challenges and arrive at greater clarity about their purpose.
"What makes this work meaningful is the combination of challenge, support, and time in nature," a spokesperson for Rites of Passage explains. "Men often arrive carrying questions they have never had space to sit with. The program is designed to create that space in a way that is both grounded and genuinely transformative."
Rites of Passage has been guiding men, women, and youth on wilderness quests since 1977. The Men's Wilderness Quest is led by Executive Director Mike Bodkin, who has over 35 years of experience guiding people into nature, alongside guide Munro Sickafoose, who has led groups in the wilderness since 1996.
"The program gave me room and space to visit the difficult places in my soul that I had long been avoiding," one participant reflected. "The guidance from the staff and the container they created were things I could not have found on my own. It remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my life."
Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://wildernessquest.org/a-community-of-men/
Contact Info:
Name: Mike
Email: Send Email
Organization: Rites of Passage
Address: PO Box 8454, Bend, Oregon 97708, United States
Website: https://wildernessquest.org/
Release ID: 89193337