Answers

Tides is a charitable trust that provides contemporary rites of passage programs for teenage girls. Focused on providing healthy transitions we celebrate the transition from girl to woman and look at the inner and outer changes taking place in adolescence. Girls get to connect with others of similar age, and mums have the support of other women. As a volunteer assisting in the program it involves being aware of the issues today’s teenage girls are facing and being part of a group of women who are there primarily to celebrate, support and encourage the young people who come to Tides.

Girls aged 13 – 16 and their mothers or other significant female role model or caregiver.

Tides events are based at the Tui Events Park in Wainui Bay on the edge of the Able Tasman National Park. Rites of passage take place twice a year in the first week of the April and September school holidays with women’s trainings some weeks prior. For more specific dates see the events calendar.

Due to our location we take full advantage of the beautiful surroundings and camp for four nights and five days in tipi and other canvas structures. We use outdoor adventure, art projects, games, sharing life stories and creating rituals as a way to facilitate and celebrate the time of change and transition.

First and foremost your participation and willingness to bring your authentic self. Healthy role modelling is a big part of what Tides offers the young women and extends into you being a mentor for one young person (during the event only). As part of a team of women you also have the opportunity to co-create a ritual within program. Although our primary focus is to support the new young girls coming through it can be a transformative process for all who attend so an ability to be with your own process while supporting others is necessary.

Each event has 2 experienced directors, 4 home group leaders and their 4 assistants. We also have up to 6 young leaders who are young women that have been through their rite of passage and have chosen to return in support of the new girls coming through. Our full community including new girls and their mothers is approximately 30 in total.

We run trainings twice a year for women interested in getting involved in Tides. The trainings are essential for coming to understand Tides culture and protocol, the aims and objectives of the program and looking at issues that teenage girls face today. Attending a training also means we have the opportunity to meet you prior to working with the teens and you get to check out if the Tides is really for you.

It is essential that all those interested in being part of the Tides team, helping run a rite of passage, attend a Tides training beforehand. Willingness to engage in your own personal development work and under-go policy checks, an ability to function in a team environment and communicate effectively is essential. Qualifications and or prior experience in youth or women’s work, teaching, outdoor education, first aid, group facilitation and bush craft are desirable.

In an attempt to keep events self-funding and affordable for the families accessing the program we are unfortunately not in a position to offer payment to women. Unless you have a specific role the first time you attend you are considered still in training and payment is required.