Adventure. Brotherhood. Leadership.

Forge the Future Additional Info

What is our focus?

 Clear Identity & Purpose

• Adolescence is a pivotal phase of identity formation. A community-witnessed and nature-initiated rite of passage offers structured experiences that help boys define their values, roles, and aspirations as young men. The goal is to provide clarity and direction during this often turbulent stage of development.

• Without such frameworks, many young men face extended adolescence, struggling to establish a sense of purpose or belonging.

• “Who am I?” “Where do I belong?” “What makes me, me?” “What’s this all for?”
  Participants will be supported as they explore these big questions — ones that can feel scary to ask at this age, as the answers are infinite and often challenge the belief systems they’ve relied on as children to navigate the world.

• Ultimately, the aim of this program is to help participants return to their community as young leaders with a new appreciation for their individual gifts and passions.

Wilderness Skills

• Wilderness skills: wildlife tracking, friction fire, shelter building, hunting, etc. are still relevant to modern kids because our brains/bodies/emotions have evolved with the natural environment and still know how to re-tune. 

• As a species, we possess a unique ability to observe and interpret our environment. We can scan a landscape and identify signs of life—recognizing patterns, tracking animal behavior, and even interpreting birdsongs. These skills are not new; they are the result of thousands of years of evolution. Throughout human history, our survival has depended on understanding ecosystems and interacting with the animals around us. This deep connection with the natural world has played a crucial role in shaping who we are as Homo sapiens.

 Challenge, Growth & Resilience

• Wilderness skills and challenges stretch participants beyond their comfort zones and have been proven to be transformative experiences that build resilience, self-awareness, and confidence.

• These challenges are depth-based, not about dominance or performance, but about authentic personal growth and emotional reckoning.

 Healthier Masculine Identity

• In a cultural context where hegemonic masculinity is being questioned, these programs foster more inclusive, emotionally aware, and purpose-driven forms of manhood.

• This program encourages distancing from limiting gender stereotypes and support the development of empathy, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership.