Working
with Boys, Men, Groups and Families creates a diverse array
of personalities and learning style needs. We have
incorporated a wide variety of teaching modalities from
different traditions. The below
information is designed to help you to learn a bit about
these modalities:
Experiential -
Adventure, Education?
Experiential, Adventure, Wilderness Therapy uses “kinesthetic” or
“hands-on” learning activities in natural environments where the
participant will challenge themselves through an experience (or
process) with adventure (or games) in the wilderness (or outdoor
setting). After the activity, the facilitator will “debrief” the
individual or group to uncover the deeper meaning and the practical
life teachings.
What is Self-Empowerment? Self – Empowerment in its
simplest form means taking charge of your own life and personal
wellbeing and care. Another way of putting it is to say that
self-empowered individuals do not give away their power.
Self-empowered people learn to view themselves as the experts about
what they need and what is involved in taking care of themselves.
What is Wilderness Therapy? Wilderness experiential learning
is when people are placed outside of positions of comfort (comfort
zone) and into states of dissonance, inspiring change. During
Wilderness Adventure therapy, a special application of experiential
learning, places clients in activities that challenge dysfunctional
behaviors and rewards functional change.
What is a Life - Coach? A Life-Coach process is successful
by examining what is going on right now, discovering what your
obstacles or challenges might be, and choosing a course of action to
make your life be what you want it to be.
What is a Mentor?A Mentor is a loyal confidant who
supports through listening, engaging and inspiring the Student.
What is Art and Music Therapy? Art and Music therapy are
established mental health modalities that uses the creative process
of art and music to improve and enhance the physical, mental and
emotional well-being of individuals of all ages.
What is Guided Imagery – Visualizations
& Journeying?Guided
Visualization also known as “Journeying”, is an active meditation
used to gain insight and intuition that can create healing through a
higher state of consciousness, awareness and understanding.
What is a Rite of Passage? A Rite of Passage is a sacred
ritual, ceremony and journey designed to mark certain life changes
that is facilitated through Preparation - Acknowledgement -
Separation – Self Discovery – Silence – Initiations – Integration
and Celebration. When a Boy steps through a Rite-of-Passage
initiation, the Boy has died and the Young Man is born and the Man
dies and is born to a new level of Manhood inspired by Passion ~
Power and Purpose.
What is the Sweat Lodge? A sweat lodge ceremony is a sacred
purification rite for initiations and for times of cleansing and
claiming power. Traditional lodges have 4 rounds (cycles), where red
hot stones are placed in the center and the trained sweat leader
will pour water over the stones to create a very hot atmosphere in
the lodge. Song, welcoming, release, prayer and gratitude are some
of the traditional aspects used to help our conscious mind “go to
sleep” so our “spiritual mind” can guide us.
What is a Ropes ~ Challenge Course?
A Ropes – Challenge course is set up as a series of problem-solving
games and activities (initiatives) designed to empower the
individual and group. Set on various low and high elements, the low
elements require team problem solving, while the high elements
require individuals or partners to solve similar problems – 20 or 55
feet off the ground! Program goals may vary, but groups often learn
a great deal about communication, trust, teamwork, leadership, and
conquering fear to succeed.
What is the Medicine Wheel? The
Medicine Wheel is a system to understand the Cycles of Life. We are
always transitioning through the 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall,
winter), the 4 periods of our life (youth, adolescent, adult,
elder), the 4 elements (air, fire, water, earth), the 4 colors
(yellow, red, black and white), the 4 Agreements (tell the truth,
don’t take anything personally, don’t assume anything, do your
best), the 4 R’s (resentment, regrets, respects, requests) and life
… the Medicine Wheel helps us to understand our changes.
What is the Journey with the Drum?
The “Drum Journey” is one of the most ancient and universally
revered methods of attaining a an awakened (lucid) presence in
non-ordinary reality. Most often a drum is used to assist the
journeyer in attaining an altered state of consciousness so he/she
can understand the sub-conscious mind and implement the experiences
into the life success strategies.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.
Despite his success, college student and world-champion athlete Dan Millman is haunted by a
feeling that something is missing from his life. Awakened one night
by dark dreams, he wanders into an all-night gas station, meets an
old man named Socrates, and his world is changed forever. Guided by
this eccentric old warrior, drawn to an elusive young woman named
Joy, Dan begins a spiritual odyssey into realms of light and shadow,
romance and mystery, toward a final confrontation that will deliver
or destroy him.
The Alchemist Dreams, symbols,
signs, and adventure follow the reader like echoes of ancient wise
voices in “The Alchemist", a novel that combines an atmosphere of
Medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic
masterpiece Coelho states that we should not avoid our destinies,
and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our
"Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God",
meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of
creation.
The 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS?
In an effort to identify the elements of a strength-based approach
to healthy development, Search Institute developed the framework of
developmental assets. This framework identifies 40 critical factors
for young people's growth and development. When drawn together, the
assets offer a set of benchmarks for positive child and adolescent
development.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Parents and Families
This book helps teens – families improve self-image, build
friendships, resist peer pressure achieve their goals and get along
with their parents (imagine that!). An excellent addition to your teenagers
bookshelf.
Life Strategies for Teens This
book helps teens work through the major issues of teenage life and
creating successful relationships with self, family and community by
using Dr. Phil’s 10 Life Strategies philosophies.
The Wonder of Boys
explains what a boy really needs: a primary and extended family, a
relationship with mother, father and mentors, and support from his
community. Michael Gurian
also tells how to satisfy a boy's desire for his own sense of tribe
and initiation through healthy, structured competition, discipline,
and word - with moral and spiritual values. Crucial for everyone
concerned about turning today's boys into tomorrow's true men.
The Four Agreements
are tools to help us in the process of personal transformation. This
transformation requires an inventory of our beliefs, which are based
on agreements we have made with life. We can transform our beliefs
and break our old, self-limiting agreements by practicing the Four
Agreements.
Be impeccable with your
word...Always tell the truth
