Who we are
IWe are a community of men committed to guiding the next generation through intentional, heart-centered mentorship in the embrace of nature. Drawing from timeless traditions of elder initiation, yet adapted for our modern world, we create sacred spaces where boys can rediscover their innate strength, dignity, and sense of belonging.
At our core, we are fathers, uncles, teachers, veterans, artists, healers, and everyday men who have walked through our own trials, losses, triumphs, and awakenings. We come from diverse backgrounds. What unites us is a shared recognition that boys today face unique challenges, disconnection from meaningful purpose, overwhelming digital noise, fractured communities, and a cultural landscape that often confuses true masculinity with superficial ideals.
We refuse to stand by as passive observers. Instead, we step forward as active mentors: grounded, present, and willing to share the hard-earned wisdom of our lived experiences. We are not here to preach perfection or enforce rigid doctrines. We are here to model authenticity, showing up as men who have faced fear and failure, who continue to grow, who honor vulnerability as a source of real power, and who understand that strength includes compassion, accountability, and deep respect for others and the earth.
Our gatherings center on the ancient practice of the circle around the campfire, often held in the majestic redwood forests of Northern California or similar natural cathedrals. These are not casual outings; they are deliberate spaces for connection. Boys aged 12 and mentors around 50 stand together, equal in humanity, yet distinct in life stage, sharing stories, silence, laughter, challenges, and rituals of passage. The warm firelight reveals faces across races and cultures, reminding everyone that belonging transcends background when rooted in mutual respect and shared humanity.
We emphasize:
Authentic Relationship — Building trust through consistency, honest conversation, and being fully present without agenda.
Nature as Teacher — Letting the ancient redwoods, star-filled skies, and rhythms of the wild mirror inner truths and foster resilience.
Diverse Mentorship — Bringing together men of varied heritages to offer a rich tapestry of perspectives, ensuring boys see themselves reflected in positive, capable manhood.
Rites Rooted in Respect — Gentle, age-appropriate ceremonies that honor growth, mark transitions, and affirm each boy's worth without pressure or exclusion.
Wholeness Over Stereotypes — Encouraging boys to integrate courage with tenderness, independence with community, and personal power with service to something greater.
We are not a large institution or franchise. We are a grassroots circle of men who feel called to this work—many of us transformed by our own experiences in nature, men's groups, or the guidance of elders who once stood for us. We operate with humility, ongoing learning, and a commitment to safety, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity.
Ultimately, we are men remembering our own boyhood longings: to be seen, challenged with love, and blessed into purposeful manhood, and now extending that gift forward. By helping boys remember how to be, we also heal and strengthen ourselves, our families, and the communities we serve.
The fire burns. The circle awaits. We stand ready, shoulder to shoulder, to welcome the boys who are ready to step in.
Contact us
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