Boys and mentors around the fire at a Rites of Passage weekend

Rites of Passage

A weekend that stays with you. An unforgettable experience of challenge, adventure and connection, helping teenage boys discover who they are.

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A defining moment on the road to adulthood.

Our Rites of Passage weekends take boys out of the everyday and into a shared experience of challenge, adventure and personal discovery.

Over a weekend in nature, boys come together with a community of men of different ages, backgrounds and experiences. Through shared activities, meaningful conversations and moments of reflection, they’re given space to challenge themselves, explore who they are and discover what matters to them.

Supported by trained male mentors who listen without judgement and lead by example, boys are encouraged to find their own way, grow in confidence and discover the kind of man they want to become.

Boys walking down a woodland path through a line of men cheering and high-fiving them
“This has been a blessing on my life. I felt a sense of peace, tranquillity and confidence. It was challenging with moments of heartbreak, joy and much humour. I learned patience, power and trust. I cannot express how helpful Journeyman was for me.”
Ethan, 16
“I’ve done some things I never thought I would be able to. I got rid of so much anger and stress that I’ve had inside of me for so many years. I faced a lot of challenges and met a lot of new great people. I genuinely see the world in such a different way after everything Journeyman has done for me – I can’t thank you enough honestly.”
Josh, 17
“I just wanted to express my deepest gratitude for this incredible experience. He doesn’t think anything will ever match it and it has given me the opportunity to reflect on our relationship moving forward and create more space for him to expand in his growth within a structure!”
Gina, mother of a Rites of Passage participant
A boy in a red gilet holding a staff in the woodsA boy with face paint and a carved pendant, a mentor's hand on his chestA carved pendant laid on ferns and red clothA smiling mentor in a hat and red paisley robe holding a drum in the woodsBoys and men playing a game with staffs on the grassA smiling mentor with stubble, sunlit, in a fieldA mentor in a pink robe standing with a boyA bearded mentor in an orange jumper walking with a boy through bluebell woodsA man in a green robe standing in front of a circle of mentors on the grassA boy in a circle of mentorsLog benches round a fire pit in a sunlit woodland clearingA hand drum and beaterTwo pairs sparring with sticks in the woodsBoys and men standing round the fire at night
100%
of boys said they were glad they went
94%
now feel more positive about their future
91%
feel more confident about the man they want to be
100%
said ROPA helped them understand themselves and their emotions

What boys told us after their Rites of Passage weekend.

Boys and mentors laughing around the fire at night

Refer a boy

Interested in referring a boy in your care? Fill in our referral form and one of our mentors will be in touch. Parents, carers, schools, social workers and youth services can all make a referral.

18 or over? You can refer yourself. Under 18 and you need to ask an adult you trust to help you get in touch.

Refer a boy
Boys and men waving around the fire in the woods at the September 2026 Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage, Sept 2026