ALP: Leadership on the Mountain

“So far, so wide, so lively…We sit outside, the trees swallowing us whole. I gaze at a soon-to-be night sky, mesmerized by the forest’s beauty. Every so often, the sun peeks through the trees as its warmth causes me to fall asleep as if it were sleep medicine.” – KeyJohn 2025

A few of our boys recently returned from a powerful spiritual retreat, Illuman First Rites – Young Men Rising, a program offered by a men’s organization that supports inner growth through reflection, ritual, and community. The retreat, held in West Virginia, invited participants to step away from everyday distractions and explore what it means to live authentically and with compassion. Through silence, storytelling, and ritual, participants were guided toward greater self-awareness and emotional maturity. The students arrived on Friday, unsure of what to expect.

Phones were set aside, and much of the first day was spent in intentional silence. As the weekend unfolded, the group engaged in reflective practices, time in nature, games, and small-group “councils,” where men of all ages shared openly from the heart. Students also participated in challenges designed to build trust, confidence, and self-awareness. A highlight of the retreat was moving through “gates” that focused on core adult emotions, including guilt, shame, anger, joy, and sadness, among others. Guided by adult facilitators, students processed these emotions individually, gaining insight into their feelings and learning how to navigate complex emotional experiences in adulthood.

The retreat offered these students a rare opportunity to slow down, listen inwardly, and discover the strength that comes from authenticity and connection. We are grateful to our former Richmond Hill Pastoral Director’s family for making this transformative experience possible through the Joel Blunk Illuman Scholarship Fund. Additionally, we would like to thank Mr. Chris Yates, a dedicated ALP mentor, for chaperoning and leading our students through this retreat.

– Yvette Davis Rajput, Director of the Armstrong Leadership Program