Answers

Tides is about celebrating and acknowledging the transition from girl to woman and recognising the changes that come during this time. It’s a time to connect with others of similar age, have fun and find friendship and support within a group of women who are there primarily to support you.

Girls between the age of 13 and 16, their mums, young women who have already been to Tides and return as young leaders and women between 18 and 60+ who help run the event.

In a nutshell no and yet we encourage you to have the conversation together considering the opportunity for change and the sharing of a unique experience together. We have created a program that gives you plenty of space from each other as well the opportunity to connect in a supportive environment.

Tides events 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 adventure, 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 Christmas. We believe that consciously marking the transition you are in can help ease this, sometimes challenging chapter of your life and help to honour and empower you.

A rite of passage usually involves three stages and in the case of Tides these are: Separation from family and community, transition from girl to woman and return involving integration and celebration.

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 participants come from all over New Zealand including Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Auckland. This may mean you don’t know any one initially but by the end of the week you will have formed some long lasting friendships.

In the events park where most of Tides takes place we have large canvas structures known as Tipi. Your sleeping space will be shared by a maximum of 8 others, including other girls, young leaders and women. Mums sleep in a separate space.

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.

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.

Yes! Once you have completed a Tides rite of passage you have the opportunity for returning as a young leader giving support to the new girls coming through, taking on more responsibility and gaining leadership skills.

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 on the phone with you and your family to get an idea of what you want to get out of coming to Tides and how we can best support you in that.