INITIATION transports young men to an ancient tradition of initiation into the world of men. This camp delivers the mental, emotional, and physical challenges that wake the man within the boy. The weekend includes outdoor adventures, wild fun, and ceremonies. Facilitated by Mitch DeArmon and Alan Hill. Takes place in Sonoma County three times a year or elsewhere by arrangement. (Mentor and facilitator training concurrent with event. Please contact the office at 707-878-2869.)

$375 fee includes all meals and artifacts.

2008 dates have not been set.

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If you've done INITIATION! and Men of Honor, you can join an Independence Team. Teams are composed of young men and mentors. On the team, young men set their goals and are supported by the team to achieve them. They also lead a community service project. Weekly meetings for 16 weeks.

Mentors can be part of the team. Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other men of integrity are welcome. No one mentors their own son or relative, although they will share a team.

Request this workshop/training in your area

An innovative 10-week mentoring program for a small group of young men who will practice accountability, leadership, integrity, responsibility (and having fun). Weekly meetings.

The per meeting fee is $30 for the two hour session. Some partial scholarships are available. Young men must commit to the 10-week program in order to participate.

Payment may be made in two installments of $150 or in total $300. Payment may be made online with visa or mastercard or via mail or fax. New mentees must complete the registration form which may be downloaded on this site.Call to have us mail, fax, or email you the forms.

Programs are ongoing in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and Sacramento. There are spring, summer and fall programs.

Interested agencies are invited to inquire about rates for inhouse programs or group rates for clients.

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Curious? Wondering if INITIATION! is right for your son? Wondering how to interest him in going?

Folks from LeadershipWorks will be available to answer questions about the INITIATION! event at this preview. Sons and parents are welcome. We will show a 20-minute video about INITIATION followed by questions and answers. Short and sweet. You may register at this evening if you'd like. There is no charge to attend.



Request this workshop/training in your area

For only $187 a month, your son can have the support he needs to be truly successful. Responding to parents' need for an economical yet sustained program that works, LeadershipWorks has developed the WrapAround program. As a participant your son will experience INITIATION!, the Men of Honor 8-week mentoring program, Leadership Training, and Team, along with monthly Reality Checks with Mitch, Alan, or Corey (see mentor bios) which is 13 in all. It also includes $500 worth of parent support that allows you to choose how and when you use it. Choose all or some of the following: parent consultations, the For Mothers Only 6-week class, the Raising a Son workshop and Mitch's Survival Tips for Parents of Teen Boys book.

The total value of this program if paid separately is $2,690 but WrapAround participants pay only $1,892 if paid in full and $2,245 if you choose to pay $187 each month. If you elect the payment plan, you must pay $375 to cover the last two months of program.

We know sustained mentoring through the teen years makes a huge difference in a boy's life. This is the program to make sure he gets it. Limited enrollment so Mitch and mentors can give full attention to participants.

You may also enroll online or make a payment toward your WrapAround online.

Our apologies, we are not able to accept any more WrapArounds for Spring 2008.

Click here to download WrapAround description
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Reality Checks are not therapy. They are a way to check in about what's really going on in a young man's life and his part in it. The sessions are honest and to the point. No hiding out. No playing dumb. Mitch and he talk over how he got himself to the place he finds himself now. They work out a way to make changes.

By understanding the nature of young men, Mitch is able to produce a shift in a young man that might not be possible any other way. It's worked for a lot of young men. Says one mother, "I can't believe it. My son has had years of therapy that really didn't do much for him. But in just one Reality Check, my son actually wanted to do things differently. Thank you."

Call the office at 707-878-2869 to set up an appointment. Mitch makes housecalls throughout Sonoma County and sometimes to the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.
The recommended initial session is $120 which includes a 15-minute parent consult, an hour session with the young man, and a follow-up 15-minute consult with the parent. Mitch's hourly rate is $80.

Request this workshop/training in your area

This training facilitated by Mitch DeArmon in Sonoma County and Alan Hill in Sacramento requires a big commitment and gives big gains. Young men who have completed INITIATION! or Men of Honor are eligible (otherwise you must have permission from Mitch or Mitch).

To apply, applicants need to send a short letter to the attention of Mitch or Alan at LeadershipWorks describing why they are interested in the training. (LeadershipWorks, P.O. Box 250, Valley Ford, CA 94972). Or they can email at info@leadershipworks.org or call 707-876-3100.

The fee is $150 per young man and is payable in full or $25 a night.

Mentoring. The LeadershipWorks School Mentoring Program takes place at school over a 16, 20 or 24 week period with seven to 30 young men meeting to practice accountability, leadership, integrity, and responsibility under the guidance of Mitch DeArmon.

Intensive. LeadershipWorks also offers a one-day intensive program for schools designed to motivate larger groups of young men to think and act differently through physical challenges and discussion.

Other Offerings
POWER TALKS: A three-week series of hour-long talk sand discussions for young men on what it is to be a man of integrity and honor with facilitator Mitch DeArmon. Great as a starting point. $250 for the series.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: This six-week course is designed specifically for young men willing to take some initiative. It provides leadership training and tests their skills with a variety of challenges. (Often follows one of the other programs. Graduates may assist as mentors in the Buffalo Run Obstacle Course.) $600 for training.
LENDING STAFF EXPERTISE: Staff is available to facilitate discussions, or give talks at assemblies, and to conduct parent workshops on that correspond to what the young men are learning in the mentoring program to help parents support the positive changes they see in their son. Additionally, staff is available to schools for emergency consultations and crisis management regarding male students. Principals have set up plans for suspended youth to make amends that include participation in our community mentoring programs and undergoing consultations with Mitch DeArmon.


Schools are encouraged to call or email us to receive a packet describing the programs in more detail. We are also able to develop a program specifically to meet your school needs.