Coming of Age Overview
Stepping Stones Project created the Coming of Age Program to help young people take their first step toward fulfilling the universal need for initiation.
The Coming of Age program begins in Fall or Winter of 6th or 7th grade, with 6 to 10 same-gender and same-grade youth forming a group. Under the guidance of two Stepping Stones leaders, the group meets twice a month until the fall of 9th grade.
The program offers an opportunity for youth to explore themselves within the contexts of spirit, psyche, culture, biology and nature. The curriculum provides the four elements traditional cultures saw as key to preparing for adolescence:- mentoring by a non-parent,
- a positive sense of self within a group,
- a grounded relationship with nature and
- a personal code of honor
Middle school marks a critical period in a young person's development. During this time, a youth leaves the complete dependence of childhood to take their first steps on the road toward adulthood. A child's "me"-centered perspective begins to broaden and eventually matures into an awareness that includes relationships with self, family, peers, community and environment. Along the path to maturity, youth experience the need to form tribes, mark themselves, and flirt with danger. Without guidance in this process, they will self-initiate — tribes become cliques and gangs, marking becomes a private culture of symbols through fashion, experiencing danger becomes high risk behavior. Historically, healthy guidance occurred through rites of passage starting in preadolescence and culminating in initiation during the teen years. In 21st century Bay Area, Stepping Stones offers today's youth contemporary rites of passage, beginning with their transformative middle school years. The Coming of Age program prepares youth for positive experiences in high school, laying the foundation for them to ultimately cross the threshold of initiation into adulthood.
Absolutely the best way to find out more about the Coming of Age program is to attend a parent informational evening. Dates for our upcoming parent info evenings are listed on our home page. View upcoming dates now.
You may also click on the links below to find out more: