Youth Quest Application and Letter

Youth Quest Application and Letter

Dear Young Adults and Parents
Thank you for your interest in our Youth Quest. It is a rich opportunity to honor the transition you are encountering as a family. You young adults are preparing to launch into the world and your parents are preparing to let you go. For centuries different cultures have recognized the importance of helping youth make the passage from childhood to adulthood. Around the world this transition has been marked by rites of passage ceremonies. These rites challenged the young person in such a way that they were forced to face themselves, thus discovering their own inner dilemmas and ways of handling them. In the process they would also uncover their unique gifts for their people. In the latter part of the rite the initiate would go through a pivotal witnessing wherein the elders and the larger community would acknowledge the new adult in their selfhood and in their new capacity and responsibility as an adult in the community. New privileges and responsibilities were bestowed at this time. In numerous cultures these rites of passage into adulthood included a prolonged period of solitude and fasting in the wilderness. In addition to the somewhat well known vision quest traditions of various Native American peoples, solitude in the wilderness has been a part of the passage into adulthood for Australian Aborigines, the Basque in Spain and many others. This kind of questing in the wilderness is also found in prominent places in our biblical heritage. Thus, it is into these widespread and long practiced footsteps that we step as we head off for our Youth Quest. Our own practices are in many ways contemporary and modern, but they are rooted in archetypal human traditions and the need to have the next generation step forward to accept the blessing and the work of their family and community.
Details
Youth Name
First Last
Date of Birth
Parent(s) Name
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Youth Phone
Parent Phone
Youth Email
Parent Email
Trip Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Youth Quest Deposit ($200)
Please Note
** Please Note: Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The balance of your fee is due June 1st, 2017 and is non-refundable and non-transferable thereafter unless we have made other explicit arrangements with you (e.g., payment plans). * I have read and agree to the cancellation policy described above (please initial) ____
Balance of your Trip
Total fees: $1075 - $1450 (Quest: $825 - $1200, sliding scale; Logistics fee (Food, Camping & Transportation to the site): $250) In an effort to make the quest available to families of all income levels, we have established a scholarship fund and also offer some payment plans (contact us for more details). So that we can properly plan for our pre-trip meetings, the balance of your fee is due June 1st, 2013 and is non-refundable and non-transferable thereafter unless we have made other explicit arrangements with you (e.g., payment plans). Questers may enroll after June 1st if there is space available on the trip or may get onto the waiting list if the trip is full. If you are in need of financial aid, please contact us for further information.
Scholarship Fund
To Make a Tax-Deductible Contribution to Our Scholarship Fund with our fiscal sponsor go to http://www.rosefdn.org/section.php?id=74 or contact us for details.
Youth Application
Why do you want to participate in this rite of passage? What changes in your life will you be marking?
What do you hope to receive from participating in this quest?
What do you feel you have to offer your peers in supporting them on their quest?
How do you imagine the quest will challenge you (physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, spiritually), and what resources do you have that help you in your life in general, and may help you when you’re facing challenges during your quest?
Have you ever been treated, hospitalized for, or diagnosed with, mental health issues? If yes, please describe. (if it would be easier for you to call us about this, feel free to do so).
Do you have any habit of using mind-altering or addictive substances? If yes, please describe (or call us to discuss this confidentially). We request that you refrain from using for the 2 weeks before, during and the week after the quest (4 weeks total). Would this be difficult for you?
Parent Application
Why do you want your daughter/son to participate in this rite of passage? What do you hope they receive from this experience?
What changes in their life do you see them marking?
What do you hope you and the rest of your family will receive through this experience?
A young adult’s passage out of childhood and into adulthood is also a profound event in the life of a parent and family. What changes in your life will you be marking, for yourself, with your young adult’s rite of passage? What is ending for you and must be let go? What new beginnings are being born?
How do you imagine your young adult’s quest will challenge you? What will be the hardest part for you of their questing and marking the end of their childhood?
What do you imagine will be the hardest aspects of the quest for your daughter or son? What inner tools do they have to cope with these difficulties? Please list any specific concerns you have for your young adult and what may be needed to address them.
Traditionally, a rite of passage into adulthood is affirmed by the conferral of new privileges and responsibilities. (These are often kept confidential until the initiation is completed.) What changes are you prepared to make in your young adult’s life, and in your home and family life to support their passage from one life stage to the next?
Has your child ever been treated, hospitalized for, or diagnosed with, mental health issues? If yes, please describe (or call us if you prefer).
Does your young adult have any habit of using mind-altering or addictive substances? If yes, please describe (or call us to discuss this). We request that s/he refrain from using for the 2 weeks before, during and the week after the quest (4 weeks total).
Email