- Dr. Nancy Geyer Christopher & Mr. Lawrence Christopher, Heroic Journey/Rite of Passage Project, USA

Dr. and Mr. Christopher's workshop explained the concept of `Rite of Passage' (ROP) as it relates to NYS, and invited participants to examine whether their own NYS plans or programmes provided an ROP for their young people.

A 'Rite of Passage' (ROP) is an experience recognised by a culture as significant enough to transform an individual and move him or her from one life stage to the next (usually adolescence to adulthood), changing their attitude, behaviour and identity, and making them givers instead of takers, `we'-centred instead of `I'-centred, and adults instead of children. Most exponents of NYS regard effective NYS programmes as a very important ROP. Young people face developmental challenges when they enter NYS programmes, and to be an effective ROP the programmes should incorporate certain elements. These developmental challenges and the necessary elements to help the young people meet them and achieve their passage to adulthood, are described through the metaphor of the seven parts of `the heroic journey':

1. The Call to Adventure - what kind of invitation does your society provide to NYS? In what ways does it inspire and offer a sense of hope for the future, both personally and as a nation?
   
   
2. The Separation - in NYS young people are separated from the familiar and comfortable in order to become independent. What are the demands and sacrifices of your NYS programme? How do you help your participants deal with them?
   
   
3. The Encounter with the Guardian Spirit - young people must be willing to learn what is necessary for the task ahead. Whatever it is that teaches and guides is a `guardian spirit'. A good orientation is essential, but personal mentors are also critical. How does your society play its role to inspire, orient, and mentor young people as they prepare to move themselves into adulthood?
   
   
4. Taking on the Task - is your society providing the kinds of tasks appropriate for the youth corps - what are they? - Is it willing to train young people to be able to do them?
   
   
5. Battle with the Beast - we must nurture courage in our young people to deal with the difficult, especially in facing their own perceived limitations and breaking through them. What are the `battles with the beast' your NYS participants face and how do you help them identify and use support systems to wage their `battles' successfully?
   
   
6. The Victory - young people must acquire new knowledge and skills to be able to accomplish the task and achieve victory. What are the knowledge and skills your NYS demands and how do you teach them? And, just as important, how do you help your participants develop and use their inner resources, such as compassion, resourcefulness and practical judgement?
   
   
7. The Return - young people should return to their home base transformed and willing to share new skills and insights. How does your society recognize and celebrate the completion of its young people's term of service? What provisions are made for sharing these skills and insights?