Rites of Passage has announced updates to its wilderness quest for men program, placing greater emphasis on the full arc participants move through before, during, and after the wilderness solo. The nine-day program will take place June 20-28, 2026, near Salida, Colorado, and is organized around three stages: "Severance," "Threshold," and "Return," giving prospective participants a plain explanation of the experience before they register.

More information about the vision quest for men can be found at https://wildernessquest.org/schedule/mens-wilderness-quest-26/

The announcement comes at a time when many men continue to face barriers to emotional support. According to the American Psychological Association, only 35% of men said they would seek help from a mental health professional if struggling, compared with 58% of women — a gap that points to the need for more approachable spaces where men can reflect and address life transitions without the framing of clinical care.

The updated program structure gives men a clearer view of what the quest asks of them at each stage. Severance focuses on preparation and leaving behind familiar roles for a defined period of time. Threshold is a solo wilderness fast, where participants spend three days and nights alone in nature without food or conventional shelter. Return brings participants back to the group to speak about the experience and begin connecting it to life at home, so the program does not end at the edge of the wilderness.

Rites of Passage brings more than 45 years of experience guiding wilderness rites of passage, including decades of work with men's quests. Executive Director Mike Bodkin has guided people in nature for more than 35 years, while guide Munro Sickafoose has led groups and individuals in the wild since 1996.

The program remains limited to 10 participants, keeping the group small enough for close guidance and shared discussion. This format is intended for men of different ages and backgrounds who are drawn to a serious wilderness quest rather than a casual retreat, including those facing change, grief, questions of purpose, or a desire for deeper self-understanding.

The update also helps distinguish the program from general outdoor travel or wellness programming, framing the experience in clear, concrete terms rather than open-ended personal development language.

Additional details are available at https://wildernessquest.org/a-community-of-men/

Rites of Passage


PO Box 8454
Bend
Oregon
97708
United States