Tides programme supports young women
Cody Millard, right, with her mentor Laura Darnell after the closing ceremony of last week’s Tides programme. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Cody Millard (16) from Geraldine, reflects on her experience of the Tides “rites of passage” programme, which concluded last Friday. “The whole thing is just amazing.”
Cody was one of six young women from various corners of New Zealand who have just completed their first five-day Golden Bay-based Tides programme. At the closing ceremony at the Tui Community in Wainui, Cody and all the other participants were welcomed back into the community by friends, families and loved ones. The first-timers were supported by young leaders who had all participated in Tides programmes before. The group also included older women, who acted as mentors to individual young women and who participated in the whole-group activities.
The Tides programme began in 2004 and offers a programme about every six months in school holidays. Tides works with 13- to 16-year-olds to empower their transition through puberty into adulthood. The programme uses outdoor experiences, creative exploration, personal development tools, conscious mentoring and ritual.
“We believe that conscious contemporary rites of passage provide a positive alternative to some of the less healthy unconscious rites in Kiwi culture,” said Tides trustee Susan Jessie. “Recognising and honouring a girl’s transition into womanhood assists self-development and fosters a sense of belonging. We aim to develop a sense of connection with self, nature and the sacred. The Tides programme that finished last Friday was the second one in which we invited mothers to participate alongside their daughters. It’s a very positive thing for a mother to have her own experience of the process, at the same time as honouring her daughter’s experience.”
Cody said that she first heard about Tides from her mother, and it sounded challenging and very different from her everyday experience. Having completed the programme, she would definitely come back if able to, she said.
“I’m more grounded now than I was before,” said Cody. “I feel better about me and I’m going to help at home a lot more.”
Cody said that she felt very safe and supported during her Tides experience. “It wasn’t really difficult. Everyone’s just so nice. We all had things in common. That made it easier to share.”
Laura Darnell was Cody’s mentor. “It’s a privilege to be part of the Tides experience. I feel I’ve received at least as much as I’ve given,” said Laura. “Cody and the other young women are incredibly courageous. The programme acknowledges their strengths and helps them to learn the habit of courage.”
Kotinga resident Hazel Faulkner, a youth leader on last week’s programme, has been back twice as a young leader since her own first experience of Tides last April. “I think being involved with Tides has made me more confident,” said Hazel. “It’s really good getting to know people from all over the country and finding they’re just like you. There’s a really friendly atmosphere and it’s totally non-judgmental. You can say what you like and no one judges you.”
More information about Tides can be found at <contact@tides.net.nz>.
Neil Wilson
