There is an African proverb that says:
“If the youth are not initiated, they will burn down the village.”

Witnessing the dysfunction in society, especially in our politics, maybe it is time to once again return to this wisdom practice for the benefit of our sons, as well as for the benefit of society and the world. Here is an opportunity to draw closer to your son and also gift him with a safe – while yet edgy – initiation experience.

If you do not have a son or grandson at this age and you know someone who does, there are invitation cards that can be printed here!

Come participate in meaningful rituals, experience time in nature and spend quality time with your son.

Come build something together.

Gift him with this drum-build experience. Leaders of this Youth Rites of Passage are committed to passing on this ancient wisdom practice. They will teach you how the individual components of the drum can be intentional metaphors that represent our life experiences. The wood strips and goat skin are powerful signposts for our psyches to help us realize that discomfort and suffering often accompany new growth and allow for healthy transition in life.

Each part of the drum is a potential metaphor for events and parts of our life. We say potential because there is no connection without our looking for it. Once we reflect on possible connections, our eyes and hearts are opened and the metaphors come to life and speak truth to our souls. The individual components, each wood slat, the drum core, the glue, the staples and the drum skin are all teachers connecting us to the outer world and to potentiality for relationship. It is our hope that this rite of passage will be one of those safe containers where a youth can approach a passage way to liminal space where he can sense a healthy vision of his maleness and future manhood. And invite him and his dad or mentor to continue the journey together and individually.

This is an opportunity to draw closer to your 13-17 year old youth and give him a safe but challenging initiation experience. If you haven’t registered already, then click on the link below.
https://illumanofinmi.regfox.com/youth-rites-2024

Check out the 6-minute promotional video:

When? Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3pm thru Sunday, Oct. 6th at 3:30pm,  2024 
Where? The Art Center, located on the Holly Family Village grounds, 1142 Ventura Drive, Brooklyn, MI 49230

The fee for this young man’s rite of passage is $195 per adult/youth team with a “Pay what you can” option.