Youth Quest Application and Letter

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.

** 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) ____

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.

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.