Identity & Mission
Journeymen Institute is a 501c3 non-profit organization rooted in the heart of the Salish Sea (Puget Sound), WA. Inspired by nature, we are a diverse community of young adults, elders, volunteers, guides, youth and families wholly focused on bringing out the best in our boys.
Our mission is to encourage compassionate, inspired and resilient young men through nature-based rites of passage, mentorship, and community engagement.
OUR VISION:
Men of Integrity Respecting All Thriving Together
The Gap
1 in 3 young men have no positive male figure
Boys without one are 2x as likely to turn to crime
1 out of 3 boys say they lack a sense of identity
Boys are 3.5x more likely to commit suicide than girls
Boys are less likely to apply to, attend, and graduate from college than their female peers
Without social-emotional support, boys are more likely to turn to self-destruction and violence
The Bridge
Resilient and vibrant societies from past and present have traditionally upheld ceremonial initiation experiences to welcome youth into adulthood. However, most youth in modern, Western society will never experience an intentional Rite of Passage. Further, we recognize how this gap is affecting boys and young men, who often face tremendous pressure to fit into the “Man Box”, an unhealthy and inauthentic image of manhood.
Journeymen facilitates vital experiences to guide the men of tomorrow to discover their authentic gifts, create a strong vision for their future, and fully engage in their lives through meaningful service and effective, heart-centered action.
Downstream
Through these initiatives, Journeymen is deeply committed to fostering equitable and regenerative communities that address many of modern society’s most prominent issues, namely, sexual assault & violence against women, traumatic early life experiences, and the abuse of natural resources.
Boys are born. Men are Initiated.
Key Offerings
Journeymen’s key offerings include in-school positive mentoring courses (CIRCLES) for boys, multi-day outdoor camps, weekend camps for families, and intensive training courses for adults seeking personal and professional development as youth advocates, mentors and guides.
Journeymen is currently partnered with several school districts in the Greater Seattle-Tacoma region, offering in-school mentorship to boys at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Our dream is for all boys to have access to this life-changing work, and we need your help to make it real. Get involved, donate or contact us today.
One Village Initiative
As we mark our 6th year in service, Journeymen is proud to announce our One Village Initiative: supporting the development of mentorship and rites of passage experiences for all youth in our communities.
Building upon the success of our model with boys and men, we’re excited to begin the rollout of a select set of offerings that meet the needs of young folks of all genders as they forge ahead on their path to healthy adulthood.
CoreFour
Building Strength Through Balance
BODY
Being physically healthy allows us to fully experience life, have more fun, and show up for our commitments.
We practice movement, sport and games, breathwork, full emotional expression, and nature connection.
MIND
Navigating life today requires keen awareness, mental clarity and healthy self-esteem.
We practice mindfulness and approach challenge with a growth-mindset, creating a positive self-identity and fostering resilience.
SPIRIT
The creative spark of the universe connects and propels us to our highest and brightest potential.
We practice inclusive, nature-based ceremony and create meaning in our lives through ritual, art and cultivating what is sacred.
GIFT
All of us carry a unique set of innate abilities that our community needs to thrive.
Everyone carries a unique gift for the world
See it. Claim it. Share it.
We hold 3 simple values close to our heart:
Nature is the ultimate teacher
We look to our external and internal environments for inspiration, wisdom, and guidance. Finding our place in nature is both fun and healthy, and we don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to remember our connection.
Growth requires discomfort, not pain
Balancing healthy risk with safety is where this work shines. Finding and knowing our personal edges is empowering and allows us to dial ourselves into appropriate challenges that move us more deeply into our true selves.
Integration brings it home
Ongoing support and engagement creates lasting change in us and in our communities. In a world of abundant “peak” experiences, the real work happens everyday, and support extends long after the last day of camp.