Pathways to Manhood is a 4 day rite of passage event for boys aged 13-15 years old and their father or significant male mentor. It is held on private property at Rockells Beach in Whananaki and accommodation is in a camping village that is set up for 4 days of adventure and connection.

Your teenage boy is engaged in the most exciting, daunting, and challenging time of his life. He is forging his own identity at the same time as entering into a new territory of risk that can involve peer pressure, loneliness, drugs, driving, alcohol, sex and sexual identity, and violence. Without contact with good men, he runs the risk of building a male identity based on superficial images borrowed from media heroes and his peers.

Pathways to Manhood creates a dynamic, powerful experience to enable boys to develop into well-rounded young men. The programme is skillfully constructed to create and build experience and the emotional language that aids the development of the emergent young man and enhances the role of the father.

When a boy is recognised as a young adult through the rite of passage framework, he can begin to practice all the relationship strategies that will serve him well as a man when he finally leaves the parental environment – qualities such as respectful behaviour, trustworthiness, responsibility, and honouring one’s word.

Some subsidies are available - please contact us to discuss your circumstances if finances are an obstacle.

Rites of passage may be a new concept to you and conjure up a few questions. Please feel free to connect with us on (09) 376 2386 for a conversation about our programme, or email us on pathways@essentiallymen.net