The Man Cave’s Student Workshops are a series of three whole-day experiences that encourage participants to explore the concept of ‘masculinity’ and the impacts of outdated societal expectations placed on men, and to build healthier relationships with themselves and those around them.
Based on the Rites of Passage framework, the workshops create safe spaces for participants to have real conversations with each other. They include group-building activities, interactive games and healthy discussions on mental health, relationships and consent.
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Level 1 – Understanding Self
The Level 1 workshop begins The Man Cave experience, focusing on self-discovery. Through a series of age-appropriate activities and discussions, participants will expand their emotional literacy and understand the impact of outdated masculine norms on their mental health and interpersonal relationships. In the full-day workshop, boys will:
- Examine the scripts of masculinity they have inherited and the impact on their wellbeing
- Understand the consequences of not expressing and sharing emotion
- Practise authentically articulating their inner worlds through a Check-In
- Envision the man they want to be for themselves and their community
- Recognise the importance of honouring the strengths of their peers
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Level 2 – Understanding & Supporting Others
The Level 2 workshop builds on the foundation of self-awareness established in Level 1, guiding participants towards cultivating healthy relationships with others. Through shared narratives and personal reflections, they recognise the evolving dynamics of relationships over time. In this workshop, boys will:
- Recognise relationships in their lives and their importance for wellbeing
- Understand the impact on men and broader society when people cannot hold space for each other
- Develop the relational skills to hold space for people through the LEAD framework (Listen, Empathise, Ask, Do)
- Practise the skill of sharing stories and acknowledging the strengths of others
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Workshop 3 – Leading in the Community
This workshop completes The Man Cave journey to Manhood, and challenges the boys to consider how they will uniquely contribute to their community and the world. In this workshop, boys will:
- Define the values and actions they want to lead by
- Be challenged on how they lead in their community
- Identify the unique needs of their school community
- Define tangible actions they plan to take in contributing to their community
- Have their Man Cave experience closed, and be challenged to mentor the next generation