23 February to 02 March 2025 - 14/18 years

Adolescence is a crucial stage in the development of a future adult. At this stage, it's not always easy to find one's bearings and assert oneself. Influences are everywhere, and it's important to have a solid foundation.

Getting back to the essential and centering on oneself allows to connect with its own desires, inner drive, needs for personal fulfillment from the heart and a deep sense of authenticity. Knowing what which values we care about, what we love and what inspires us, from our own inner compass.

Confidence and autonomy are part of the game, as is discernment and the construction of one's thoughts. Being able to reflect on the world and discern what's right and wrong, adapting to new situations, finding creative solutions, facing the unknown and the unexpected. These are essential qualities that are useful in all spheres of life.

The desert is the ideal place to set things straight and get to know oneself outside the usual environment and outside the family. Discover its qualities and strengths, its fears and reactions. Understand how one relate to others and how to develop healthy relationships through mutual help and support.

Self-knowledge is a strength for life, and develops empathy towards others as well as mutual aid. This trip is designed to bring young people together in a caring environment where expression is free and encourages exchange. The desert offers the opportunity to understand, through the link to the environment, the necessary wisdom and the limits not to be exceeded, but also the liberation from ideas that prevent us from realizing our deepest wishes or opening up to others.

After such an experience, they emerge transformed, ready to walk through life just as they walked through the desert. Filled with vital strength, incredible memories and unprecedented moments. They will have developed personal resilience, team spirit, interpersonal skills and a healthy sense of self.

How does the trip work?

For the outward journey, we all leave together from Brussels airport for Marrakech. We'll keep you informed of the flight to book. For the return trip, Jérémy will return to Belgium with the group, also giving responsibility to the older ones to look after the younger ones. Martine remains at the Bivouac to welcome a group of adults the following week.

Day 1:

On arrival at Marrakech airport, we depart by minibus or premium cab to reach the foot of the desert and the dunes. Planned stops for drinks, toilets and shopping if required. Then you have an hour's walk through the desert to reach the bivouac. The initiation and adventure begins with the first foot in the desert sand.

Arrival and settling in at the Bivouac, meeting Ahmed's team. Well-earned rest and Welcome circle around the fire.

Day 2 - Day 7

We'll be proposing a number of activities during this stay that will enable everyone to get into a natural, healthy rhythm, building up the bearings.

Around 07:45: Contemplation of sunrise

We climb to the top of a nearby dune to enjoy the majestic spectacle of the rising sun. A dazzling light show, unique and different every morning. It's a great way to start the day, to learn how to sit back and contemplate each morning.

09:00 am: Breakfast

We enjoy a hearty breakfast in the outdoor lounge.

10:00 - 13:00: Desert walk

Each day we set off on a loop through the desert, discovering the dunes, the small animals and the rocky terrain. Landscapes that will teach us. It's a joy to walk through the desert and down the dunes. As we walk, we'll be able to see everyone's attitude and character coming out, and take stock of that later. Each day will be an opportunity to change and tame one's way of walking in the world. Water will be provided.

1:30 pm: lunch

Back at the bivouac, a delicious lunch awaits us

• 2:30 - 4:30 pm: free time

This is a time for them to give free rein to their imagination, sensations and moods. Getting creative and self-contained. Choosing what to do with their time. A moment to be alone and rest or to share with others, to read books left on site, to write, to draw, all the equipment will be there for those who want it. There's also snowboards to ride down the dunes for the more adventurous.

• 4:30-6pm: group activity

Each day we'll have a group activity time, covering everything we've covered in the introduction to this trip. Of course, we'll use the day's observations and events to reflect on ourselves, understand each other, share personal experiences and sensations. There will be time for expression, games and group dynamics to develop collaboration, mutual aid, relationships with others, assertiveness and empathic listening. We support them in their desires and in understanding their aspirations.

• Around 7pm: contemplation of sunset

We head to the top of a dune opposite the morning one, to contemplate the magic of the sunset. At this time of day, a special atmosphere is created, as the earth prepares to sleep, and all becomes silent and calm. It's a deep calm that invades the space, and invades us too. A time of absolute silence and wonder. Learning to regulate oneself is important. Settle down, breathe, relax.

• Next: evening meal

We enjoy a delicious Tajine or other speciality in the tent restaurant.

• Around 9pm: celebration and sharing around the fire - contemplation of the Milky Way

We gather around the fire to listen to Tuareg drumming and singing. Everyone is welcome to contribute: play, sing, dance, express oneself! A time for celebration, decompression and sharing. No television, no phone, no distractions. Just time to be together and get to know each other.

On the last evening, we hold a closing circle, where everyone can express their personal experiences, what they've discovered about themselves, whether they're going to change certain habits, what they're taking with them for their future lives.

Important - Day 4 - Special Day :

We set off on a guided camel trek for the day. We hike and ride camels, picnic in the wilderness and then return to the bivouac. This is the middle of the trip, a good one-day introduction to venturing further afield.

Day 8:

Time to leave. We bid farewell and thanks to Ahmed and his team. We turn back the way we came, an essential moment for integrating what we've experienced. We take the same route back across the desert and towards the airport, but we're not the same. The desert has done its work on us, and it's important to realize this and live this stage with full awareness.