Ceremonies, like birthdays and graduations, help youth and young adults to mark certain times in their lives and to realize their individual importance in the world. The Youth Programs at The Ojai Foundation allow youth to mark such times of significance while also providing a rich background that helps to frame these experiences. These experiences are grounded within group interaction and relationship which encourages youth to connect with each other while exploring the depths of their personal selves.
Students from elementary, middle, and high schools are welcomed at The Ojai Foundation for one to five day retreats. Here they participate in Council, ropes course activities, art, alone time, ceremony and land-work projects. They have the opportunity to live together in a village style found in our beautiful domes! By combining these activities in a unique way, we aim to guide each student to explore the significant transitions of their lives; clarify personal values; explore issues of diversity; and deepen their relationship to nature, themselves, and each other.
Examples of schools and programs:
- Crossroads & New Roads Schools: Seniors from these high schools in Santa Monica have been coming to Ojai for five day retreats since 1985. Each trip includes sitting in Council, drumming, singing, team building games, land-work projects, sweat ceremony, an art project, solo time in nature, and much more.
- Youth ranging in age from 8-21 come to the Land with their respective classes to experience our ropes course for one, two, or three day trips. All types of schools (public, private, and charter) make use of this opportunity to give their students a chance to bond together while performing exercises that will challenge them but also are safe due to expert facilitation and equipment. Our ropes course makes use of the beautiful trees found on our property, allowing time in nature, exploring out interconnectedness and our boundaries. Teacher and adults benefit immensely from these experiences as well!
