Rite of Passage Experience

For thousands of years, communities across the globe have celebrated life’s transitions with meaningful rituals. Rites of passage that mark growth, belonging, and responsibility. Today, many of these traditions have disappeared, leaving children and families to navigate major life changes without the guidance, recognition or community they need.

This experience is here to change that.

A Week to Honour Growth, Connection, and Transformation

This time together is a one-of-a-kind experience for children aged 7 to 11 and their families. Over the course of a week, we’ll come together to celebrate the unique transitions of childhood in a way that feels timeless yet deeply relevant to our modern lives.

In the heart of nature, together we’ll create a village, just as humans have done for millennia. We’ll camp, cook, learn, and grow. Each day brings shared challenges, ceremonies, and moments of connection that honor children for who they are and who they’re becoming.

For parents, carers, and even those without children, this is a chance to reconnect. With yourself, your child, your inner child and the power of a nurturing community.

The Village We Build Together

For one week, we’ll create a true village. This is more than just camping; it’s about returning to a way of living where raising children was shared by the community:

Shared Responsibilities

We’ll cook together, look after one another, and ensure the well-being of every person in the group.

Living Side by Side

Families will camp together in a circle, with a central fire as our gathering point.

Celebration and Support

Through rituals and communal living, we’ll honor each child’s transition, offering recognition, guidance, and a deep sense of belonging.

What Makes This Experience Unique?

This isn’t just a fun week outdoors; it’s a life-changing experience for children, their families, and the community we form together.

From the Child’s Perspective:

You’ll face challenges like climbing or braving some cold water. It might be scary, but you’ll feel proud of yourself afterward, and you’ll always have someone cheering you on. You’ll learn skills like knife craft, fire safety, and martial arts that will make you feel capable and strong. You’ll make things that you can take away and wear.

From the Parent / Carer's Perspective:

You’ll see your child grow in ways that surprise and inspire you. You’ll share meaningful moments, whether it’s a quiet talk by the fire or a ceremony that honors their growth. And you’ll rediscover the joy of connecting with a village of other adults who truly care. While your child is occupied we’ll do some inner child work together. This will have the potential to empty out grief and shame and reconnect you with your own beautiful inner child..

From The Supporters Perspective:

We will need a troup of willing volunteers to help us honour the children and support their families and the smooth running of this experience. Whether you are choicefully or sadly childless, a grandparent or simply looking to get involved in something fun and profound we are looking for good people!

We are looking to fill specific roles, some of them are as follows:

Elder — We are hoping to have a male and female elder. Someone for the kids to learn from, perhaps you know about trees or you can tell a great story. We also need you to help us make decisions. You’ll likely have dirt under your fingernails and many wrinkles from a life well lived.

Godparent — Each child will have a carefully chosen godparent, a caring adult who will meet with them monthly for a year to listen, have fun, and share activities they enjoy, like playing on swings or eating cake. This isn’t about mentoring or teaching but creating a supportive connection where you may gain as much as the child. Support will be provided through facilitated Zoom gatherings with the godparent team.

Advertising; Project Management; Logistics; Accounts; Playing; etc etc are all things we’d love your help with. Do reach out!

Donors — Additionally we need money to make this work in a way that’s as inclusive as possible. We need land to base ourselves on for the week. If you can support please do let us know.

From the Team’s Perspective:

We’re here to hold the space for witnessing these children and supporting their already occurring transformation. We’re here to guide and support each person. Our team brings a deep commitment to safety, inclusivity, and creating a magical, memorable experience. Team members will bring specific expertise such as child psychology; whittling skills; teaching Martial Arts or adult facilitation for example.

A Glimpse of the Week

While every week will unfold uniquely, here’s an idea of what to expect:

Day 1: Arrival

Families arrive and set up their tents with plenty of support.
A shared lunch welcomes everyone into the fold.
The first evening is all about settling in and gathering around the fire to begin building our village.

Throughout the Week:

Ceremonies: Symbolic rituals, such as crafting a “Tree of Life” necklace, helping children celebrate and orient into their life as they work together on challenges and crafting; learning and playing
Challenges: Activities like rock climbing or cold-water exposure encourage children to understand fear, face it, and grow. We all experience life and fear differently, so we are here to support with these challenges on an individual basis.
Lessons: Children and adults alike will learn skills like conflict resolution, compassionate communication, and basic first aid.
Community: Shared meals, story-telling by the fire, and tending to each other’s needs will create a sense of belonging.

While we can learn a lot from religion this is not a religious activity or organisation

Why This, Why Now?

When I was seven, I had my First Holy Communion. It was steeped in Catholic tradition, but what stayed with me wasn’t the religion, it was the feeling of being seen and celebrated by my family and community.

As a parent, I wanted to offer my children the same sense of being honored as they reached key milestones in their lives. But when I searched for something non-religious, inclusive, and family-centered, I couldn’t find anything.

The idea was born out of that need – a modern-day rite of passage that honors our children while embracing the values of celebration, honouring, learning life skills, and shared experience.

Our Core Values

This isn’t a holiday. It’s about more than just camping or learning new skills. It’s about transformation. It’s about honouring and celebrating but it’s also about building beautiful and solid foundations.

Safety First

Every child’s well-being is our top priority. Our supporters and team are DBS checked and safeguarding is central to everything we do.

Radical Inclusion

Every family and individual is welcome, no matter your background, religion, financial situation, race, or identity. There’s only one exception—those who may pose a risk to children or the growing of community.

Challenge and Growth

We grow through challenge, and this experience offers a safe and reassuring way to step outside comfort zones. New muscles grow by rupturing and tearing the current ones. In the same way we will safely stretch ourselves and each other.

Community Spirit

It takes a village to raise a child, and this is our chance to create that village. Everyone will have a role, from keeping the fire burning to supporting each other through challenges.

Join Us

Together, we’ll create something extraordinary: a space where children are honored, families reconnect, and communities grow stronger. Let’s make this happen one child, one family and one Tipi ‘village’ at a time.

How to Get Involved

Families & Carers: Bring your child (and their siblings) and embark on a transformative journey.
Supporters: Share your enthusiasm, time, skills, whether as a godparent, cook, or organiser.
Donors: Contribute through financial support, resources, a site, or spreading the word.
Team: Whether you’re a psychologist, first-aid instructor or a whittling teacher we need you!

Let’s build the village our children (and our inner children) need. Together.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a 7-11 year old child I’d like to bring but s/he has siblings can they come?

Yes.

Can I come for part of the week?

No, participants must be present for the full week to gain the full benefit of the experience and in order to create a safe container for everyone on the journey.

What type of people will be at this?

People like you who resonate with this need. We plan to target the Bristol area initially. We hope there will be a wide mix of people whether people consider themselves to be affluent or not; in a minority or not; experienced campers or not; couple normative or not (e.g. solo parenting; queer parents).

Can we bring another family that we are friends with?

Yes but we will be working to mix up the group for everyone’s benefit so that we can all learn from each other and reduce the experience of people feeling left out

Will there be anything happening after the week together to support the community?

Yes. More to be announced on this in due course

Can I get involved?

Yes! Please bring your enthusiasm and energy to one of our planning meetings. Complete the form and we’ll be in touch.

What if I am not the Parent?

Not every child will come with their biological parent. Some will bring a carer, a family friend, or another trusted adult. Whoever you are, you’ll be a vital part of this experience, offering support and care that helps ‘your’ child thrive.

When will this be?

Right now we have a lot to do to create this. We would love to have our first camp in the first week of the school holidays, so the week of 28th July 2025. We need all the help we can get to achieve that. Get involved! Tell us what you want to do here >