The Transformative Justice Project of Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware

nights are very interesting and informative. When we removed this component of our program, many of
our youth demanded that we bring it back, as they felt they were able to discuss issues and learn things
they could not discuss or learn elsewhere.
Rites of Passage Retreat
The Rites of Passage Retreat provides an opportunity for youth enrolled in the Rites of Passage program
to escape from urbana, to assess themselves, their goals, their vision, and align their behavior with their
values. During the three day/ two night retreat, youth will reside in the beautiful and serene mountains of
Appalachia, and will participate in various workshops and traditional ceremonies designed to enhance
self-esteem, self-awareness, self-determination, and discipline. Additionally, young people will
participate in cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner, thereby learning basic cooking skills. Young people
will enjoy the many recreation amenities of the campsites such as horseback riding, visiting the lake(s),
hiking, basketball courts, campfires, volleyball, and much more. The retreat will be a life-changing
experience for all youth in attendance.
Council of Elders
The Council of Elders is the body of parents/ guardians that are formed to support the program. Parents
meet once per month to learn the information being presented to students. The Council of Elders gathers
resources for the program and directs the implementation of the program at BRY-AMA. BRY-AMA will
select elders from its constituency to serve as the Council of Elders.
What Is The Ten-Step Rites of Passage?
Throughout the history of civilization, humans have constructed societal institutions designed to help
their constituents transition from one stage of life to another. The term “Rites of Passage” was most
popularized by a French Ethnographer, Arnold van Gennep, however the traditions and institutions of
“Rites of Passage” have been in existence long before Mr. Gennep. Rites of Passage are generally
represented by three stages:
1. Separation;
2. Liminality (limbo); and
3. Incorporation.
In the Separation phase, a particular group is identified as having either achieved a certain accolade or
reached a period of preparation for a future life stage. Once identified, this group is generally separated
from the rest of their community and they enter into “Limbo”, a stage in which they receive instruction,
guidance, wisdom, training, and participate in rituals in preparation or celebration of their development.
The last phase is Incorporation, which is generally marked by a large celebration/ ceremony whereby the
society recognizes that the individual has been properly prepared for their new role in the community.
Rites of Passage’s purpose, structures, traditions, and ceremonies differ across the world. Purposes,
structures, traditions, rituals, and ceremonies are culturally specific and are created to enable the
individuals within a specified community to prosper and be productive. Today, we see many traces of
“Rites of Passage” with Baby Showers, Weddings, Baptisms, First Communions, Bar-Mitzvah,
Quinceanera, Sweet-Sixteen’s, Proms, Graduations, Job Promotions, Retirement, and Death. Most of
these events are highly celebrated days in the United States and include a variation of the stages noted
above.
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