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Headwaters Outdoor School

Earth Caretaker School

Boy’s Rites of Passage

As a young man I had many teachers. During the pivotal years of 12 and 13, my greatest mentor and teacher helped me enter manhood in a conscious way by sending me into the woods, into nature to find the answers to my life questions. How can nature provide these answers?

Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity’s goal has been to overcome nature, to be stronger than nature. In contrast, my mentor showed me that living with respect for the natural forces, paying attention to the elements and focusing one’s attention on meeting one’s needs teaches a person a great deal of honor, respect, self-responsibility and integrity. A poorly made shelter can result in hypothermia, while learning fire making and caring for your fire making kit can save your life. Hunting animals with respect for the life they give to sustain your own can make the difference between getting an animal for food or starving. Paying attention to earth’s natural rhythms helps to keep one in balance physically and mentally.

Robert Bly in his book, The Sibling Society, says that the world is being run by uninitiated men. Earth people always had a Rite of Passage for their young men and women. The entire community brought their youth consciously into adulthood and nature’s lessons were always the foundation for their teachings.

My own Rite of Passage involved traveling around the country for a summer experiencing nature. These experiences culminated with a solo climb up Mount Shasta. Upon reaching the summit, I was to create a code of honor by which I would live my life. The physical and metaphorical experience has remained one of the guiding forces in my life. I vowed that I would dedicate my life to connecting boys and girls, men and women, all people, to the spirit of our natural world.

In the last fifteen years, I have had the opportunity to put many young men through a Rites of Passage. My challenge to adults has been my own personal challenge which is to mentor young people into adulthood. I have found that most adults wished that they had the opportunity of Rites of Passage when they were kids and have asked me to share the code of honor with them.

Mother Earth is our greatest teacher. I only provide the space for the Earth to do her work on the young men and women who choose to enter adulthood in a conscious, time-honored way. No one is too old to live an initiated life.

Tim’s Code of Honor

  • Be respectful of all beings and things.
  • Give your best.
  • Choose your battles wisely.
  • Keep your word.
  • Think before you act.
  • Have fun.
  • Be a good example to others.
  • Take risks.
  • Don’t lie.
  • Don’t steal.
  • Do to others as you would want others to do to you.
  • Help when help is needed.
  • Be patient.
  • Be your own man.
  • Be respectful to women.
  • No gossiping.
  • Tell your truth.
  • Live the full circle.
  • No judgements.
  • Be thankful for what you have.
  • Complete tasks and honor it.
  • Respect your elders.
  • Master your ego.
  • Open your heart!

More Info & Class Registration

PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“With the Headwaters Outdoor School I’ve seen more and done more in the wilderness than I’d ever do on my own! From these many wonderful experiences I find my life richer, deeper and stronger for it.”

- Judy Grant, Grant and Associates
Headwaters Outdoor School
2018-05-23T18:27:50+00:00
- Judy Grant, Grant and Associates
https://hwos.com/testimonials/with-the-headwaters-outdoor-school-ive-seen-more-and-done-more-in-the-wilderness-than-id-ever-do-on-my-own-from-these-many-wonderful-experiences-i-find-my-life-richer-deeper-and-stronger-for-i/

“My first winter class back in ’93 was a monumental event in my life, as my journal reveals. My connection to the Earth was so powerful (right then). I owe much of that to Tim and his presence with Nature.”

- Steve Bollock, River Guide
Headwaters Outdoor School
2018-05-23T18:30:02+00:00
- Steve Bollock, River Guide
https://hwos.com/testimonials/my-first-winter-class-back-in-93-was-a-monumental-event-in-my-life-as-my-journal-reveals-my-connection-to-the-earth-was-so-powerful-right-then-i-owe-much-of-that-to-tim-and-his-presence-with/

“Between the strokes of the bow drill and reading tracks in the snow, I received gifts unexpected: family, community, inspiration, laughter and the relationship with nature beyond belief.”

- Kelly Callahan, Teacher
Headwaters Outdoor School
2018-05-23T18:30:28+00:00
- Kelly Callahan, Teacher
https://hwos.com/testimonials/between-the-strokes-of-the-bow-drill-and-reading-tracks-in-the-snow-i-received-gifts-unexpected-family-community-inspiration-laughter-and-the-relationship-with-nature-beyond-belief/

“As a teacher and a counselor—and simply as a human being—my life is still enhanced daily by things I learned over 20 years ago with Tim and the Headwaters family. I happily carry nature awareness and earth philosophy in my bones, even decades later. Whether it’s a long hike, or a quick walk around the block, my experience is so much deeper because of this good medicine. I am forever grateful and wholeheartedly wish the same for you.”

-Rich Mertes
Headwaters Outdoor School
2022-02-18T20:27:38+00:00
-Rich Mertes
https://hwos.com/testimonials/as-a-teacher-and-a-counselor-and-simply-as-a-human-being-my-life-is-still-enhanced-daily-by-things-i-learned-over-20-years-ago-with-tim-and-the-headwaters-family-i-happily-carry-na/

“I’ve been making a pilgrimage to Headwaters at least once a year for 15 years, and bringing people to this land for nearly as long. The space that Tim, Julie & the staff create is powerful & sacred, and no person is not better for having spent time here. Both of my children have been coming to this land their whole lives. There is nowhere I would rather they be, and there is no one I trust more with the lives & spirits of my children than Tim & Julie. If there is any way to get yourself and/or your children here, you should definitely do it – you won’t regret it!”

-Kendra Cunov
Headwaters Outdoor School
2022-02-18T20:28:22+00:00
-Kendra Cunov
https://hwos.com/testimonials/ive-been-making-a-pilgrimage-to-headwaters-at-least-once-a-year-for-15-years-and-bringing-people-to-this-land-for-nearly-as-long-the-space-that-tim-julie-the-staff-create-is-powerful-sacre/
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Headwaters Outdoor School

Boy’s Rites of Passage Photos





Contact Us

Headwaters Outdoor School
PO Box 1210
Mount Shasta, CA 96067
 
(530) 938-1304

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Support the School

The Walker/Hupp Fund is a non-profit organization that helps young men and women whose families do not have the financial resources to attend Headwaters Outdoor School, either through the Boys Rites of Passage or the Apprenticeship Program.
 
Learn more about the Walker/Hupp Fund
 
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Walker/Hupp Fund today.
 

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