Wilderness Quest for High School Girls
(ages 15-18)
What if this is the Summer your Daughter starts believing in herself?
Something is Missing for a lot of Teens Right Now
She's capable. She's intelligent. But she hasn't yet experienced a moment that said:
You're ready. You're enough, and this next chapter is yours.
This Wilderness Rites of Passage trip is for 15 to 18 year old young women who are ready to mark the transition into the next phase of life.
Over 7 days and 6 nights, she'll backpack into the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California, and she'll step out of her comfort zone and into her own knowing through intentional mentorship, challenge, and connection to nature.
This is a powerful Rite of Passage journey. And there is nothing else quite like it.
Trip Details
Dates: July 8th–14th
Welcome Home Ceremony with Parents: July 15th
Location: Marble Mountain Wilderness, Northern California
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Backpacking
It’s a guided transformation experience that includes
✅ Transition-focused (not performance-focused)
It’s not about being the strongest hiker or “doing it right.” It’s about stepping into self-awareness, confidence, and clarity during a life transition.
✅ Small-group, high-support environment
The container is intentionally held so participants feel safe enough to be challenged, reflect deeply, and be seen.
✅ It’s intentionally structured as a Rite of Passage
This is not just a fun, backpacking adventure, it's also an intentional Rites of Passage initiatory experience. Every day is designed to support reflection, emotional growth, and personal meaning-making, not just activity and movement.
✅ Identity-centered questions throughout the journey
The entire experience is built around questions like “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” "What are my gifts?" not just external goals.
✅ Guided reflection and ceremony
There are structured moments for storytelling, reflection, and symbolic ceremony to help make the experience feel real, grounded, and memorable.
✅ 24-hour solo experience
Participants spend intentional time alone in nature to reflect, process, and listen to themselves, something most teen programs never include.
What Makes This Different?
Our High School Girl’s Quest is about what’s possible. We combine ....
✔️ Mentorship from Experienced Rites of Passage Guides
✔️ Opportunities for Connection with Self, Others, and the Earth
✔️ Intentional Rite of Passage experience that stretch participants to build Confidence and Resilience
This will help your teen step into identity, clarity, and self-trust during a powerful life transition.
What's Included
7-day, 6-night guided wilderness Rite of Passage in the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California
Fully supported backpacking experience designed for ages 15–18
Daily hiking, group circles, and guided reflection practices
24-hour solo experience in nature for deep self-reflection and clarity
Small, supportive group environment with trained guides
Structured ceremony and storytelling throughout the journey
Fundraising opportunity available for families to help offset cost
TESTIMONIALS
From a Parent
“My daughter attended the rites of passage wilderness backpacking trip and loved it! Jasmyne is an amazing mentor and guide and my child felt very comfortable with her and enjoyed the experience so much! I highly recommend this challenging adventure for your tween/teen! She learned so much about herself and loved everything about it!”
- Parent of 12 year old
From a Teen Participant
" I always have the need to be constantly busy to avoid having nothing to do but going on this trip helps remind me why it’s important to just sit and think. It pushes me to do things I don’t like to do sometimes too lol. Like drinking butter syrup water in the rain, climbing up a hill just to get my tooth brush, or making me really stinking grateful for indoor plumbing. It helps me realize that I can do hard things and push myself and it all ends up okay. I see my growth through these last couple years and I love seeing how all of my friends grew through it too. Going backpacking makes me a better and happier person so I’m very excited for the opportunity to do it again."
- 14 year old participant
From a Parent
“My daughter joined in on a 5 day youth backpacking trip summer of 2024 and she had a wonderful time. It was a great experience for her. It was a very hard hike for her, but the feeling of accomplishment afterwards far outweighed the temporary discomfort. They kept the kids very well engaged in games and council and so much more. My daughter enjoyed it all. She made lasting friendships as well. Jasmyne was so accommodating and helpful getting ready for this big trip. We felt comfortable and well prepared. I highly recommend Jasmyne and her unique programs that touch tween and teen lives in a very positive way!”
- Parent
From a Parent
“I am thrilled to have [my daughter] participating in this amazing offering in the fall. This is the woman who led the backpacking trip (for five days and four nights in the Marbles) that [my daughter] absolutely loved this summer. The emotional growth that we saw from just that one week with Jasmyne and her team still has us in awe. I want to share this opportunity for any local friends who might not yet be aware of it. If only something like this had been available when I was growing up!”
- Parent
From a Parent
"My son went on the trip last year. I noticed the change in him the second he got out of car in that parking lot. You know that kind of confidence that changes the way you walk? It was that. You can't buy that. It's priceless. If you could bottle that up and sell it, the entire population would be addicted. And he hasn't stopped talking about it. Guided Passages has entered the lexicon of my home. I've said this before but I'm not sure to whom, but last year his goal was survival - can I get to the end? This year I think it's conquering. Oh, and it is required that we go to Get in Gear like at least twice a month now and he's been spending his allowance on gear. You all had a hand in that. Bravo."
- Parent
Who This Is For
For High School Girls age 15-18 who…
Feel unsure of identity or direction
Want to disconnect from screens and Noise and connect with nature
Need a healthy challenge and adventure to stretch and grow
could use some positive adult mentorship and guidance
crave deep and authentic connections with other girls her age
want to experience the adventure of a lifetime they will never forget
Will This Work for MY Teen?
If your teen is willing to show up, and be open to the process, and willing to engage, the answer is yes.
She doesn't need to have all the answers; she just needs to be open to the experience.
The High School Girl’s Quest (ages 15–18) is a 7-day, 6-night
Wilderness Rites of Passage journey in the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California,
including a 24-hour solo experience and guided ceremony-based transition work.
Go from avoidance of inner questions → to willingness to face them
Shift from uncertainty about identity → to clarity of self and purpose
Reconnect with themselves → and deepen connection with family
Meet Jasmyne Chandler Founder of Guided Passages and Lead Guide
Teen & Parent Coach | Educator | Mom
Jasmyne is an International Coaching Federation Certified, Trauma-Informed, Professional Life Coach for Teens, Young Adults, and Parents.
She is the Mom of two teens, and she has also spent the last 17 years working with teens as a High School Teacher, GED Instructor, and Advisor, and as a Life Coach, Council Facilitator, and Wilderness Guide.
She is the founder of Guided Passages, which offers Youth programs, Wilderness trips, and Life Coaching for teens, young adults, and parents of teens in Southern Oregon and beyond.
Her main focus as a coach and guide is to assist teens, young adults, and their parents who may need additional support, guidance, and mentorship in order to shift stuck energy, negative self-talk, and disconnection, so they can embrace and accept themselves for who they are, move towards positive change, and create the life and relationships that they truly desire.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, she’s an International Coaching Federation Certified Life Coach through two ICF Accredited Training programs, she holds a Certificate as a Trauma Informed Coach, and she’s received training in Council facilitation through Council Heart and Rites of Passage Guiding through the School of Lost Borders and Wilderness Rites.
She found her love for Earth-based ritual when she embarked on her first rites of passage journey at the age of 19. The 10-day trip she took into the Steens Mountains of Eastern Oregon forever changed the trajectory of her life in such a positive way, that this work has followed her to the present day.
For the last two decades, she has participated in Earth-based ceremonies and rituals, been on countless backpacking and camping adventures, and has led, assisted, and apprenticed many wilderness Rites of Passage trips. She founded Guided Passages in order to meet the need of youth in Southern Oregon and beyond, who are in need of mentorship, support, heartfelt connection, and someone who believes in their true potential.
Meet this year's Guide Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the investment for the program, and what’s included?
The investment for the High School Girl’s Quest is $1,500.00 and includes a 7-day, 6-night wilderness backpacking expedition in the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California, a guided Rite of Passage experience with mentoring and group facilitation, a 24-hour solo for deep reflection, intentional ceremony and integration practices, guided exploration of identity and purpose, and a Welcome Home Ceremony with parents on July 15th, with partial scholarships and fundraising opportunities available so cost is not a barrier.
Is my teen safe on this trip?
Yes. Safety is our highest priority throughout the entire experience. All activities are carefully guided and supervised, and we follow established wilderness safety protocols during the trip.
What training do the guides have?
All guides are trained in wilderness backpacking and Rites of Passage facilitation. Every guide is also a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and has current background checks.
Does my teen need backpacking or camping experience?
No experience is required. This trip is designed for beginners as well as teens who already enjoy the outdoors. We will teach participants the skills they need along the way.
What if my teen feels nervous or unsure about the trip?
That’s completely normal. Many participants arrive feeling anxious, uncertain, or outside of their comfort zone. The experience is designed to help them build confidence, resilience, and trust in themselves in a supportive environment.
How will parents communicate with their teen during the trip?
Because this is an immersive wilderness experience, participants will be disconnected from phones and technology during the trip. This intentional unplugging helps them fully engage with themselves, nature, and the group experience. Guides will be in contact with parents via a satellite communication device, which can communicate both ways.
What is the 24-hour Solo experience?
The Solo is a guided and supported rite of passage experience where participants spend intentional time alone in nature in a safe designated area. This is often one of the most meaningful and transformative parts of the journey. Teen participants under the age of 18 will be in site of Guides during their solo time while older participants will be able to find a solo spot a little further out if desired.
What does my teen gain from this experience?
Participants often leave with greater confidence, self-awareness, resilience, clarity, and a deeper sense of identity and purpose. They also build meaningful connections with mentors and other girls their age and experience the empowerment that comes from overcoming challenges in nature.
What is included in the tuition?
Tuition includes the full guided wilderness experience, leadership and facilitation by trained staff, group programming, the main essential gear, all meals, a pre-trip Zoom to help with preparation, a Gear check night (in person for local participants), and the Welcome Home Ceremony with parents on July 15th.
"The point of this life is not simply to 'become somebody,' but to become who we were each intended to be when we first entered this world."
-Michael Meade
If you want your teen to feel confident again, reconnect with herself, and believe in who she is becoming, this is the experience for her.