Wilderness Quests for Queer* Youth
Epic Journeys into Nature, Self and Community for LGBTQ2IA+, Gender Diverse, Queer & Trans Youth
Queer Kinnection | ages 14 - 18 | July 1 - July 8, 2023
Rite of Passage Journeys continues to answer a community call to provide meaningful rites of passage for Gender Diverse, Queer & Trans youth, within a community of peers and with support from a team of experienced Guides who have themselves navigated the gifts and challenges of growing up queer.
Queer Kinnection takes our time-tested Solo Crossing and Mountain Quest for Young Men and Young Women programs and craft them to provide rite of passage experiences specifically for queer youth (questioning or identified).
This program offers challenges, mentoring and support to youth as they explore nature in the company of peers and Guides who share a similar lived experience. Through a combination of facilitated and self-led explorations, youth will discover inner resources that allow them to claim identities, feel belonging, develop resiliency and offer their unique gifts to the world, supported and celebrated by a joyful and vibrant community.
This trip centers around a solo vigil. This is an opportunity for the youth to be fully with themselves in nature, to consider their unique callings and to receive guidance from the wild world. In the days leading up to the vigil, youth will experience a variety of activities that prepare them to meet the challenges of spending time alone in nature. Following the vigil, youth will engage in mindful integration of their newfound skills and visions. Participants will return to basecamp in celebration of their journey and learnings, greeted by family, friends, mentors and community.
We welcome feedback and suggestions and strive to be a place you trust to best serve your needs and unique gift of Queerness.
Group Size: Up to 9 participants, as well as 3 guides.
Cost: $1495 ($400 non-refundable deposit) for Queer Kinnection - Financial Aid is currently available
Gear: Additional resources and gear loans are available.
*Here, we use “queer” as an inclusive term and an uplifting declaration. We acknowledge that the word “queer” has been used in the past as a derogatory term and is still hurtful to some in the LGBTQ2IA+ community. Many have reclaimed the word “queer” as an empowering and uniting expression of the many complex identities within the community.
We welcome all interested applicants to pre-register today!
Check it Out. . .
PROGRAM DETAILS
Learn more: Queer Kinnection: LGBTQ2IA+ (ages 15 - 18)
Queer Kinnection: July 12 - July 19, 2024
North Cascades
Program starts/ends in Deming, WA
Queer Kinnection: $1,495 ($400 non-refundable deposit)
We invite all interested applicants to pre-register today, and also encourage applications by QTBIPOC (queer, trans, black, Indigenous, and people of color).
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Questions? Check out our FAQ page or send us a message!
Skills Introduced
Teamwork | Self Reflection | Nature Connection | Backcountry Skills | Campfires | Campskills
Program Outcomes
Finding a sense of belonging in the world: embracing nature as a mirror
Learning to trust one’s self: listening to one’s intuition
Owning the gifts of one’s queerness: cultivating a positive image of self and one’s role in the world
Developing leadership styles and teamwork skills: building self-confidence in service to others
learning to love one’s self: developing physical strength, personal resolve and emotional resilience
Embarking on a wholistic path through queer adolescence toward adulthood
Knowledge of our Queer ancestors and their roles in nature and the human world
Knowledge of the natural history of the Pacific Northwest
Knowledge of how to spend time in nature using low-impact camping techniques
Completion of a transformative rite of passage
Please contact us if you would like to speak directly with one of the program Guides
queer guide community
Queer programs at Rite of Passage Journeys exist because of the initiative and dedication of several Queer Guides and allies. For information about this growing community of queer guides, please check out Queer Odyssey
Are you a Queer Guide interested in working with Rite of Passage Journeys? Please be in touch.
Other Featured Programs
Fire on the Mountain
Ages 15 - 18
Find out more >
Solo
Crossing
Ages 15 - 18
Find out more >
Mountain Quest (Young Women)
Ages 12 - 14
Find out more >
Mountain Quest (Young Men)
Ages 12 - 15
Find out more >
