Cooee Academy

Wilderness Rites for Young men

In nature's school, young souls engage,
Forests and rivers, their learning stage.
Mountains call, minds challenged to soar,
Courage and strength, born evermore.
Cooee wonders, skies so wide,
Nature's gifts mature young eyes.
Within Cooee, greatness they find,
A journey of soul, body, and mind.

10 Week Term

Finn Juniper Denaro - Facilitator

What is Cooee Academy?

Cooee Academy: A nature based ritual theatre school for unearthing the balanced masculine.

Using team building challenges, skillset expansion, communication processes and improv theatre to support boys and young men through their initiation into adulthood.

Located on Gumbaynggirr Country - Bellingen NSW.

  • Self Reliance

    The boys will learn to create and use a lightweight backpacking kit with essential tools for wilderness survival. They'll engage in activities like camping, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, fishing, archery, slacklining, and other nature-based skills. This includes learning to build fires, set up camps, and live self-sufficiently.

  • Poised Projection

    We focus on building confidence in expression through ritual theatre, poetic percussion, and active theatrics. This cultivation of expression will help the boys to feel comfortable in their own skin and empower their voices to resonate more powerfully and peacefully (Cooee Cohesion).

  • Self Care Awareness

    Powerful techniques like breath-based meditation and mantra-based affirmations will be taught, helping the boys to turn their focus inward. These practices provide solace in tough times and allow peaceful breaks in chaotic environments. Developing inner stillness supports them throughout life, maintaining a clear and poised mindset.

  • Fellowship

    Each day, the boys will connect meaningfully, building trust and long-lasting brotherhood. They'll learn to offer and receive support, gaining wisdom through teaching and learning from one another, and their mentors. Effective communication learning to use the ‘ask-don't-tell’ approach will be emphasized, fostering a calm and receptive atmosphere for sharing wisdom.

What is Ritual Theatre?

Ritual theatre is a form of performance art that combines elements of traditional rituals, ceremonies, and theatrical expressions. It often involves symbolic gestures, storytelling, music, dance, and dramatic elements to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotional responses. Ritual theatre can be used to explore cultural, spiritual, or personal themes and is sometimes used as a means of personal growth, transformation, or healing.

We explore ritual theatre within Cooee Academy to support the boys to integrate and put into action the values and character strengths which we discuss during the program.

Community Guest Facilitators

We value having local community members to guest facilitate throughout the program, to offer their unique skills and perspectives to the young men participating. These individuals bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and genius expertise to the table, enriching the learning process and providing real-world insights from our local area. Their involvement helps broaden the mentees' horizons, exposes them to different career paths, life choices, and cultural backgrounds, fostering a well-rounded understanding of the world. Community guest facilitators serve as positive role models, inspiring and motivating the young men to strive for personal growth, academic success, and community engagement. This collective support system cultivates a nurturing environment that empowers young men to realise their full potential and become confident, responsible, and compassionate members of the community.

Please reach out if you have an interest in guest facilitating on the Cooee Academy program.

hello.cooee.academy@gmail.com