The best fathers want to help their sons become real men. But often, those same fathers grew up with an absent dad or one who was present but didn’t always offer what they needed at crucial stages in life. Now, those fathers want to show their sons the path to living as a man, but they aren’t sure how. If that’s you, we once stood where you stand and spent many years wrestling with that same question. We understand how difficult it can be to show your son God’s path, which is why we created the Heroic Journey of Sonship and Manhood.

The Heroic Journey is a multi-month process designed for men and their sons who are 13-16 years old. Over the course of eight months, you will help your son discover God’s intentions for manhood and show him a path that leads to a purposeful life rooted in identity as God’s beloved son.

1. Engage in a multi-month process that can facilitate real, lasting life change. Trust us, we will have a blast in Montana, but we made this journey to help you create a way of life with your son, not just experience momentary thrills.

2. Engage together before and after the trip to Montana. We don’t want the life change to start or end in Montana, so you and your son will go through various content together, which includes a monthly movie, a meeting with us, calibration/discussion questions, and a mini-adventure, all adding up to between 9-12 hours PER MONTH. For more information about each month’s content or the monthly process, click here.

3. Attend a monthly Father and Son meeting (In-person and Zoom options). We know half the battle is knowing HOW to talk to your son about God’s vision for manhood. To help, we will meet monthly from January to August, discuss the month’s topic together, and offer unique fathering skills necessary for your son’s stage of life.

4. Deepen your relationship with your son. We’ve created a well-marked trail through Biblical Manhood as modeled by Jesus in the Gospels so that you can focus on your relationship with your boy.

And what father/son journey would be complete without an epic trip? In June or July, you and your son will go to the Bitterroot Valley, Montana, where you will hike, whitewater raft, fly fish, and continue your Heroic Journey into Manhood. This trip is a time of initiation, affirmation, and exploration. Initiate your son through the adventure of the West. Affirm his heart and where you see him living in true manhood. Explore God’s good heart and help your son lean into his identity as God’s beloved son.

Fathers and Sons stay in a beautiful, fully furnished bunkhouse in Stevensville, Montana.

You must arrive in Missoula, Montana, at the Missoula International Airport (MSO) before 1 p.m. on the first day of your trip. You must depart from Missoula, Montana, by 11 a.m. on the last day of the trip. Someone will pick you up and drop you off within these time parameters.

Expect to participate in a variety of activities. Anticipate the following: hiking, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, swimming, teaching, and quiet time. Activities may change based on weather and our discretion.

Sons must be no younger than thirteen and no older than sixteen years of age by January 1st, 2024. If your son is younger or older, email us at admin@thenewfrontierministries.org for our other offerings. 

Cost includes an Adventure Kit each month and everything you need during the Montana trip, including accommodations, meals, teaching, activities, and event supplies. We do not cover travel expenses or the cost of extra supplies (those not in your Adventure Kits) before, during, or after the trip.