Rites of Passage

for 8, 9, and 10 Year Olds

Rites of Passage Introductory Class and Family Picnic- Sunday August 25th- 3pm to 6/ 6:30pm

Zoom Call with Parents- Thursday September 19th- 7pm to 8pm

Day-long ROP Program and Evening Celebration- Sunday November 17th- 10am to 3:30pm Program; 5pm Ceremony and Potluck Dinner Celebration

The two in person locations will be in and around Nashville- to be determined.

Rites of Passage for 8, 9, and 10 year olds is a powerful journey for children and their families. Rituals to mark important transitions in life are an ancient part of our human heritage. We create rituals as a way to find meaning in the events and experiences along our journey. Rituals are a shared acknowledgment of important transitions, celebrated by individuals, families, and communities as a whole. 

Rites of Passage for children are particularly important as they offer meaning and support to both children and adults. As children grow up, the quest for meaning and identity heightens. Adults are faced with the challenge of needing to support the child and their growing independence, as well as accept that their child is growing up and will inevitably shift the nature of the relationship they once had. 

8,9, and 10 year old Rites

Rites of Passage for 8-­10 year old children is designed to recognize and honor the natural developmental shift that takes place around this age, when the child is beginning to be more independent and take on more responsibility within the family and community. 

At this age, children are

• starting to separate their personal identity from that of their family

• seeking more independence from family

• showing more concern for others

• able to talk about and express their feelings more effectively

• understanding and acknowledging their place in the world

• paying more attention to friendships and teamwork

• beginning to have bigger questions about the world, themselves, and their sense of reality

The purpose of the Rites of Passage is to help children feel more settled in their changing experience, allowing them to separate from their parents in a loving way and grow away from their early childhood dependency, encouraging them to take more responsibility at home and caring for others within the family (including pets). Secondly, the course teaches children to engage their world with fearlessness and gentleness, learning to recognize their individuality and learning tools to work with their own mind and emotions so they can approach their world with curious, open minds and steady, open hearts. 

Some 8 year olds are not ready for this Rite, which is why we offer it to 8, 9, and 10 year olds. It is up to the family to determine if their child is developmentally ready to participate in this ritual endeavor. 11 year olds will be considered on a case by case basis, but children younger than 8 will not be able to participate. 

We do need a minimum number of participants in order to run the program. If we do not meet the minimum, I will notify you and you will receive a full refund. Otherwise, I can’t offer refunds once the program has started.

Cost: Pick your Price

Pay the Amount that truly reflects where your family is financially and what you are able to offer

$150

$225

$300

Other amount- if a different amount is right for you, that’s fine too. If you can’t pay the $150, let me know- no one will be turned away.

How to Pay: After filling out the registration form below, you will be directed to a page with payment instructions- payment can be via Venmo, PayPal, or cash or check in person.