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Teen Gathering

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Wilderness Passage & Advanced Skills

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Welcome to our 2026 CA Teen Gathering - offering Wilderness Passage and Advanced Skills Programs!

This year we are going to the beautiful South Warner Mountains. The campground is situated in a tranquil and remote area of northeastern California. Blue Lake was formed from a massive landslide several thousand years ago. Over time, the land filled up with water from snow melt and rain where blue lake is today. Blue Lake is truly deep blue in color and remains ice cold even during the hottest days of summer! The fishing is great, and there's a 3 mile trail that goes around the entirety of the lake.

The campground is situated in a lower part of the mountains, but the entire campground is surrounded by mountain ridges scattered with ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, incense cedar, and aspen trees. There was an intense wildfire that came through the area back in 2003, so many of the hillsides near Blue Lake are in the process of regenerating tree stands. Fortunately, the campground was saved from the fire, so there are plenty of big pine trees for shade!

The site is very Primitive with only pit toilets and there is potable water. There are options in the afternoon to spend time on the lake or wander around on the nearby trails, welcome to bring floatation devices, paddle boards, kayaks etc.

We will be offering two courses for Teens that run together ; Wilderness Passages and Advanced Skills. Wilderness Passage is meant for teens ready for a edge pushing “rite of passage” and the Advanced Skills is geared for teens that have completed the Wilderness Passage.

This year we want to make sure we have some time for the group to have social and “gathering” vibe with a mix of teens before and after the intensity of the programs. This creates time to prepare and integrate the experience into daily life—and Teens need this kind of “hang-out” social time in the woods-with no cell phones, off grid deep in this beautiful Wilderness Area.

Wilderness Passage

Every human has four elemental needs: shelter, water, fire and food. Our ancestors were deeply connected to these needs. They knew how to find and create solutions to meet them, as well as how to pass these essential skills on to the next generation. Without this lineage we would not be here today. Our modern world seems to have forgotten much of this. Wilderness Passage is a journey that reconnects youth with these skills, creating confidence, self sufficiency, and transformation. We light the ceremonial fire for each passage and provide parental guidance for supporting this transformation before and after the passage. For teens, aged 12 and up.

Advanced Skills is for experienced teens who have completed 4EEE's Wilderness Passage

This is an offering for teens to push their limits in creating a completely hidden camp with only a knife, blanket, handmade water vessel, and minimal food. The philosophy and mind set of the caretaker and scout will be integrated into this week’s teachings. “Advanced Skills” of counter Tracking, camouflage- and camouflage shelters, stalking, trapping, advanced awareness of concentric rings.

Sunday, June 21st (3-5pm) - Saturday, June 27th (12-1pm).

Wilderness Passages & Teen Advanced Skills 2026 will be based out of Blue Lake Group Campground in the South Warner Mountains of CA. This is a remote area, which is important to the “Passages” programs.

Parents will drop-off and pick-up at the Blue Lake Campground. As we are hosting a Family Camp at the same site the week before, 4EEE staff will already be on site and limited transport will be offered. We encourage families to arrange carpools with other teens participating.

We know it is far for everyone to drive there and we are offering options for travel:

• For parents traveling from further away (more than 6 hours from Madeline, CA) - Drop your teen at Burton in Nevada City on Saturday July 20th 4-6 pm. We can arrange carpooling from there on Sunday to the site.

• For Parents of Nevada City area - you can also have your teen stay over Saturday night the 20th at Burton and we will be asking for a few Parents to volunteer to carpool to the site on Sunday the 21st. (please contact tam@4eee.org if you are willing to be a driver)

• For Parents north of us please do your best to carpool to the site and share driving time.

• For Teens flying in we are setting up pick up at Reno International Airport (please contact tam@4eee.org for pick up window)

We offer sliding scale pricing, subsidized by donations from supporters of our mission. Please select a contribution level consistent with your means. Thank you!

Level 1: $1,000 per person

Level 2 (subsidized): $800 per person

All meals will be provided; please include any dietary restrictions in your registration.

Each teen must bring basic, personal camping gear. A recommended packing list is included below and will be sent out with final instructions and directions as the date nears.

We can't wait to gather with nature and each other around the fire and under the stars!

- Rick Berry & the 4EEE Crew

Recommended Packing List:

1. Tent or tarp

2. Sleeping bag and pad

3. Wool blanket - Arcturus blankets are a great option

4. Clothing for a week (high temps: 80s-90s, lows: 40s-50s)

5. Swimsuit and towel

6. Two pairs of shoes; one can be sandals

7. Hats, brimmed for sun and beanie for warmth

8. Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, etc.)

9. Water bottle (stainless steel is best) - Kleen Canteen single walled is a great option

10. Mess kit: bowl/plate, eating utensil, metal cup

11. Journal & pen

12. Knife (fixed blade) - Mora Companion/Clipper is a great option

13. Bandana

14. Sunscreen & Rain Jacket

• How do I know if my Teen is ready for Wilderness Passage?

  We recognize that determining when a person is ready (at the right “age”) for a Coming of Age/Rite of Passage experience can be subjective. The WP is intended to be an experience that helps recognize the transition from childhood to adolescence.  This is a time of transition from a place of higher dependency (on parents/adults around them) to a place of more independence, confidence, and self sufficiency. Nature, and the 4 elemental challenges of WP, is a great facilitator for this experience. Some of the indicators (but not limiting to participate) in this experience may include:
  

  • Growth stages indicating the onset of adolescence/puberty

  • Behaviors indicating a desire for more independence (“rebellion” can be viewed in this context)

  • Risk taking, or being more bold in their behavior/bodies/actions

  • Wanting independence and to do things more for themselves

  • Transitioning out of a lot of younger interests (games/toys/hobbies) and into newer interests.

   If you recognize some of these indicators in your son/daughter and they meet the prerequisites, they may be ready for this experience.

• What are the prerequisites for my Teen to attend Wilderness Passage

  • Connection/experience/relation to one of the programs - In other words, we (instructors) need to have some level of connection with the student.

  • Nature background - This is not a “beginner’s” program. Participants need to have some previous experience with nature programs/training that is exhibited by their knowledge/experience with regional hazards, awareness, common sense, and skills in nature, including fire by friction and debris hut shelters. 

  • Camping experience - Participants must have previous experience camping overnight in absence of their primary parent/guardian. Wilderness Passage is not intended to be their first camping trip away from mom/dad/guardian.

• What are the prerequisites for my Teen to attend Advanced Skills?

  Have completed 4EEE’s Wilderness Passage program.

• We live several hours south of Nevada City, can you help with transport?

  This is for families traveling from South of Nevada City area.

  For parents traveling from further away (more than 6 hours from Madeline, CA) - Drop your teen at Burton in Nevada City on Saturday July 20th 4-6 pm. We can arrange carpooling from there on Sunday to the site.

  Space is limited for 4EEE shuttling Teens to/from Burton. Please contact us soon to ensure we have enough seats available.

• We live in Nevada City, what are the transport options?

  For Parents of Nevada City area - you can have your teen stay over Saturday night the 20th at Burton and we will be asking for a few Parents to volunteer to carpool to the site on Sunday the 21st. (please contact tam@4eee.orgif you are willing to be a driver)

  4EEE has limited space available, families travelling from much further away will get first option.

  We encourage local families to get together to make a carpool arrangement.

• We will be travelling from Oregon/Chico, what is the transport option?

  For Parents north of Nevada City please do your best to carpool to the site and share driving time.

• Are you offering an airport pick up for out of State teens?

  For Teens flying in we are setting up pick up at Reno International Airport (please contact tam@4eee.org for pick up window)