The Council is the engine that supports the long term, sustained growth of our young men. Beginning with our first Council in the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest, this will be the primary vehicle for how our vision for supporting young men connects to their daily lives. It is a year-long program that is built for young men ready to commit fully to the work of becoming a better man. The Council is designed to provide the foundational practices to lead a courageous life. Through a combination of community engagement and outdoor exploration in a group format coupled with individual mentoring, each member of the Council joins the Los Padres brotherhood and commits to becoming a better man.
Explore our backyard
Each month, The Council will meet to explore some of the magical, wild spaces of the Central Coast. Immersed in the natural world, we will practice slowing our selves down. We will develop a practice of listening to and sharing our lives. In nature, we will learn to tell our stories with an open heart.
Most months will be some form of day trip. We will meet at the beach ora. trailhead and spend a good part of the day together. A few times during the year, we will strengthen our brotherhood with an overnight camping expedition.
I am because we are.
This has been offered as a translation of the powerful African philosophy Ubuntu. Celebrating the power of our shared humanity is a central tenet at Los Padres. Throughout the year, we will have opportunities to practice engaged citizenship with our local community. Whether it’s organizing a beach clean up at Rincon or serving dinner to our homeless neighbors, expect to deepen your understanding of “good citizensihp.”
Citizenship, ultimately, is a covenant with the communities you are part of. A commitment to showing up for the people around you. When we do this, we are transformed as individuals. We establish a direct connection between our own growth and health as individuals with the overall growth and health of the community. A courageous life, then, requires a commitment to bringing your best self in service of others.
Join our first Council…
Launching Fall 2020, our first Council will be located in Santa Barbara County. If you are a young man who has completed at least one year of high school living in the 805, check out the info below and join the Los Padres brotherhood!
Program cost of The Council
We offer a sliding scale tuition, with 80% due at the start of the year and the balance due in December.
$2,000: This covers all associated programs costs(travel, park fees, food, etc) and a small stipend