“Real growth, the kind of growth that changes you from a boy to a man, doesn’t happen in isolation from others—it happens primarily through and within our relationships with those who know us best. The question, then, is less about when you become a man, but with whom you become a man.”
At some point as you watch your son growing up, you start seeing early reflections of the young man he’s going to become. It’s rewarding, but also worrying—how do you soften the hard edges of boyhood? How do you stay present amidst powerful cultural norms about what it means to be a man?
One of the most important things you can do is provide him with opportunities to develop resilience and self-confidence by forming meaningful relationships and taking on new challenges.
We call this the Rite of Passage Expeditions Project—where connection, reflection, challenge and adventure help youth build a strong foundation for their future.
Rite of Passage Expeditions participants rated their experience on past trips an average of 4.6 out of 5.
100% of past participants said they felt physically safe on their wilderness expedition.
100% of past participants said they felt like they could trust the people around them on their trip.
77% of past participants said they gained a better sense of who they are and the person they could become.
92% of past participants said they found the trip’s activities to be meaningful to their growth.
100% of past participants said they had a fun and enjoyable experience on their trip.
“[Our son] wanted to go, and it sounded like a good opportunity to go on an adventure with an organization that we trust.”
— Parent of a past expedition participant
“I loved this trip, it can easily take the title of best time of my life, it made me hopeful, proud, and made me care, not just about nature, but the people around me. It showed me that I can develop these relationships, to take action and improve the lives of others.”
— Past expedition participant
“One thing that stands out for me was how confident our son felt about his experience, even though he definitely was tired and had times that were very challenging on the trip. He is keen to go again. He was resistant to go for months and to me this spoke to how he rose to the challenge and grew in a supportive and super fun environment.”
— Parent of a past expedition participant
“I’d like to thank Next Gen Men for this great opportunity to explore parts of the world that I haven’t seen before with an amazing community. This experience will be part of me forever.”
— Past expedition participant
“Our son commented about how he really liked being independent on this adventure, and…‘even though Jonathon and Ansel are adults, they weren’t my parents and it felt good.’ I would say that this trip is worth sending your child to if they are ready to be challenged and stretched physically and emotionally by the adventure, and to enjoy the thill of pushing yourself within a group of friends/soon to be friends!”
— Parent of a past expedition participant
“I liked spending time with the people I had never seen but became such good friends with.”
— Past expedition participant
“Something that resonated with me was how the group fostered a culture of support and non-judgement. When our son told me about a boy who left early he explained why and had no hint of criticism but rather empathy and support of him. I was so encouraged to see how NGM leaders fostered this awareness and attitude in 12-14 year old boys as that is not the vibe of our broader society.”
— Parent of a past expedition participant
“All the guys are amazing and made me feel like I was me for the first time in a while.”
— Past expedition participant
Past expedition on Crooked Lake, ON
Past expedition in the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands, ON
Past expedition on Fishog Lake, ON
Past expedition at Nigel Pass Trailhead, AB
Past expedition at Nigel Pass, AB
Past expedition on the Brazeau River, AB
Past expedition in Nigel Pass, AB
Past expedition at Cataract Pass, AB
Past expedition on Fishog Lake, ON
Past expedition in the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands, ON
Past expedition to Crooked Lake, ON
Past expedition on Fishog Lake, ON
Past expedition on Fox Creek, ON
Past expedition on the French River, ON
Past expedition on Tanvat Island, ON
Past expedition in Dorés Run, ON
The safety of our youth is our highest priority.
Our Program Manager and trip leader, Jonathon Reed, is qualified as a Wilderness First Responder and National Lifeguard and will be prepared for emergency evacuation procedures. Trip co-leaders will have a minimum of Bronze Cross and vulnerable sector screening. Trip participants will be expected to wear a PFD/lifejacket while on or in the water.
Our trips are designed to foster a positive experience in the outdoors—rather than a rugged ‘toughen up’ challenge—which means they are beginner-friendly and youth don’t need previous camp experience. That being said, it helps if youth participants have an enthusiastic attitude about undertaking a new adventure. They will be sleeping in an unfamiliar environment away from home, and that can be scary.
In order to help ease into the experience, the backpacking trips begin and end at a basecamp, where we will have access to much-appreciated amenities like toilets and showers.
Trip participants will be expected to provide their own shoes, clothing and outerwear. Canoeing- and camping-specific gear like PFD/lifejackets, canoe paddles, sleeping bags and sleeping pads can be provided for those who do not have their own—let us know!
Next Gen Men supports schools in implementing programs with students and professional development for educators on topics like gender stereotypes, mental health and healthy relationships. At first glance it’s stuff that guys don’t normally talk about, but every group we’ve been with has been interested in the topics and the way we present them.
