Answers

Tides is a charitable trust that provides contemporary rites of passage programs for teenage girls. Focused on providing a healthy transition Tides events about celebrate and acknowledge the phase from girl to woman and look at the changes taking place in adolescence. It is a time for girls to connect with others of similar age, and for mums to have the support of other women who also have teenagers in their lives.

We see Tides as an opportunity to take time and reflect on your relationship with your daughter and initiate change, if needed, with the support of other women. It is also an opportunity to share in and witness an important marker in your daughter’s life.

Tides take place at the Tui Events Park in Wainui Bay on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. It is a beautiful and private environment.

We camp for 4 nights and 5 days undertaking out door adventures, art projects, games, sharing stories from our lives and using ritual as a way to celebrate the time of transition.

Ritual can be anything from celebrating birthdays to christams. We believe that consciously marking the transition your daughter is in can help ease this, sometimes challenging chapter of her life and help to honour and empower her. We use ritual as a way to highlight and emphasise this important time.

A rite of passage usually involves three stages and in the case of Tides these are: Separation from the old, transition from girl to woman and return to the new, involving integration and celebration. Although primarily about the young person, it also marks a change in the family relationship. the emerging woman is recognised for her gifts and talents and takes on new responsibility. The resulting confidence helps create healthy adult relationships and enriching life choices.

No. Tides welcomes people from any religious sector and is not aligned with any one particular faith. We use simple ways of expressing gratitude and appreciation for who we are and feel it is important to show respect and acknowledge the value of the world we are part of.

Tides is part of the Nelson Tasman Youth Workers Collective and all those who assist in running our program go through a training and police check.

Tides has been running since 2004 and each event has approximately 10 women ranging between the age of 18 – 60+. Between us we have many years of experience with youth work, women’s work, group work and personal development. We are supported by the men of Tracks Trust who have successfully run events for young men since 2000 and by women doing similar work in Australia and America.

The Tui Events Park has unique organically shaped fully functional facilities including, most importantly, hot showers and a big tub! We have plenty of cosy space and room to move under cover, all within the shelter of a field of beautiful trees. Sleeping spaces are shared in tipi or other canvas structures.

A wide range of dietary needs is catered for with the aim of providing healthy and nutritious food. If you have any special food requirements just let us know and our cook will make sure you have what you need.

No – your main point of connection will be with the women/mothers group. We have structured the program so that you get time alone, time with other women and time with the whole group – girls, young leaders, mothers and women/facilitators.

Yes – at the beginning of the week we invite all significant family and friends to take part in a separation ceremony and at the end of the week to attend the return celebration. As a mother or caregiver there is also an important role to play that can come in the form of a letter and or gift for your daughter if you are unable to attend.

Twice a year, in the first week of the April and September school holidays – refer to the events calendar for specific dates and upcoming events.

Go to ‘Register’ and fill in the necessary contact details. We can then have a chat over the phone with you and your daughter.