Imagine sending your kid off to summer camp and having them come back resilient, self-assured, and much less dependent on their phone.
Rite of Passage Journeys is a unique Northwest summer camp program that offers wilderness experiences from which kids return standing taller, excited to connect with others, and with a strong sense of who they are, what they can accomplish, and their place in the world.
What Makes a Rite of Passage Summer Camp for Kids Different
“It’s so transformative, I can’t even tell you,” says Jenny Macke, the organization’s recent executive director. “I physically see the difference in the kid, every kid—the way they walk, the way they stand, their confidence.”
“It’s kind of a sophisticated version of the adage: know thyself,” adds Randy Morris, president emeritus of the Rite of Passage Board of Directors.
How does this happen? Through a variety of coming-of-age outdoor programs in Olympic National Park for kids ages 10 to 18. Journeys range from a week to three weeks, and many are backpacking trips, while others take place mostly at a base camp.
These programs mark key life transitions: from childhood to adolescence, or from the teen years to adulthood. (Rite of Passage Journeys also has programs for adults.)
How a Rite of Passage Summer Camp for Kids Supports Key Life Transitions
Morris says they meet an instinctual hunger for a way to pause and honor the change, an initiation into the next phase of life. This rarely happens in our culture, and in the absence of a healthy way to mark such a moment, some young people turn instead to alcohol, drugs, or dangerous activities.
Rite of Passage Journeys sends them into the wilderness with their peers and expert mentors to challenge themselves physically and emotionally.
Who should consider a Rite of Passage Journey?
Macke says the programs are a good fit for families who prioritize:
- Building resilience and life skills in their kids.
- Reducing dependence on technology or devices.
- Connecting with nature. “So many parents have great memories of being in nature and having freedom, and they want their kids to have that.”
“Nature is the teacher,” Morris says. “We forget that. We become alienated from the wisdom nature has to offer.”
Summer Camp Without Phones or Screens
He acknowledges that it can be tough for kids to be away from their phones, games, and social media, but that the nervous system actually calms down in their absence, and the body returns to a more normal rhythm – not to mention that the mind is open to new sights and experiences.
One of Macke’s favorite stories is of a journey participant who recalled spending time on a beach in Olympic National Park one evening. The stars were above her, more stars than she’d ever seen in her life in the city. And below her in the water was the glow of bioluminescence. She had a sense of awe.
Not everyone who shows up for a journey is necessarily seeking that awe or excited to be there, Macke says. “The normal response of an ego, especially a teenager’s ego, when they don’t know something, is to be like: I don’t want to do it.”
How Nature Shapes a Rite of Passage Summer Camp for Kids
The journeys aren’t easy. There can be tough hiking, carrying a heavy pack, sleeping on the ground, and group sessions full of challenging self-reflection and relating to others. But despite initial reluctance, Macke believes that kids actually want to be challenged, and they love learning that they can do hard things.
“The whole intention of a rite of passage is to stretch yourself, to say to the part of yourself that doesn’t want to do it that I’m going to try and I’m going to learn and I’m going to grow and I’m going to evolve.”
And don’t believe for a minute that this is all misery. “Oh, these kids have so much fun,” Macke says, “partly because they aren’t worrying all the time about being criticized or bullied or teased for saying something crazy or zany or whatever. There’s a culture that’s created around authenticity, vulnerability, truth telling, taking chances, and a lot of listening and kindness.”
The Confidence Kids Gain at a Rite of Passage Summer Camp for Kids
The end result is what Morris describes as a sense of, “I did that! I didn’t know I could, but I did.” He says it means a lot to a young person to have others witness them exhibiting strength and courage. Lifelong friendships are created, too.
The journeys, by the way, are in small groups led by guides who are highly trained in both the emotional and outdoor aspects of the trips. In general, adolescent journeys for 12- to 15-year-olds are divided by gender; both older and younger groups are mixed gender, and there is also a program called Queer Kinnection for LGBTQIA++ youth ages 14 and up.
Rite of Passage Journeys for 2026 begin in late June and many still have space available. Find full details at riteofpassagejourneys.org.
