Announcements
The Stepping Stones Project is Permanently Closed
A Letter From Our Board of Directors:
Dear Bay Area Community,
SSP has closed operations after 20 years of continuous service to Bay Area youth and their families. This decision was made carefully and with great deliberation by the Board.
We want to thank you for your interest and involvement in Stepping Stones Project. Whether you simply learned more about rites of passage or supported SSP by volunteering, providing financial support, or participating as a leader, elder, or family member, your support helped over 1350 families to participate in our program and change lives of teens in a positive way.
SSP is many things to many people. We worked to create positive environments for kids to become more grounded in nature, learn effective communication skills, and to begin the exploration of who they are in their social groups, families, and communities. Our leaders worked skillfully to reflect back to each youth the gifts we saw in them, and to become more self-aware of how they can contribute to their families and communities by creatively applying these gifts. While we were challenged at times, our mission and vision remained expansive. We feel good about the successes we saw over the years. And we know that many SSP leaders will continue with this work within their own organizations.
We are grateful for your interest, care, and support.
Sincerely,
SSP Board of Directors
Dear Bay Area Community,
SSP has closed operations after 20 years of continuous service to Bay Area youth and their families. This decision was made carefully and with great deliberation by the Board.
We want to thank you for your interest and involvement in Stepping Stones Project. Whether you simply learned more about rites of passage or supported SSP by volunteering, providing financial support, or participating as a leader, elder, or family member, your support helped over 1350 families to participate in our program and change lives of teens in a positive way.
SSP is many things to many people. We worked to create positive environments for kids to become more grounded in nature, learn effective communication skills, and to begin the exploration of who they are in their social groups, families, and communities. Our leaders worked skillfully to reflect back to each youth the gifts we saw in them, and to become more self-aware of how they can contribute to their families and communities by creatively applying these gifts. While we were challenged at times, our mission and vision remained expansive. We feel good about the successes we saw over the years. And we know that many SSP leaders will continue with this work within their own organizations.
We are grateful for your interest, care, and support.
Sincerely,
SSP Board of Directors
Resources & Referrals
While we are no longer offering our program but there are many wonderful organizations that offer rites of passage experiences to Bay Area Youth. Please contact them directly.
The following programs involve nature-based activities, therapy, communication skills, nature skills development, and rites of passage for youth. Please explore these programs at the web sites identified below.
Back To Earth
Jesse Sachs: http://www.BacktoEarth.org
Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development: A skill-building, ceremony based backcountry program for Teenage Boys
Deep Nature Guides
Scott Davidson: http://www.deepnatureguides.com
Council Training, Rites of Passage, Youth Series, Tracking
Gaia Passages
https://gaiapassages.org
For teen girls - Nature as Teacher, Guide, and Life Long Friend
Love Your Nature
Emily Frost: http://www.Loveyournature.com
Support and Guidance for Teen Girls; Coaching for teens and parents
One Nature Therapy
Amy Biesemeyer: http://www.onenaturetherapy.com
Individual Therapy for Adolescent Girls
Vilda
Spencer Neilson: https://www.vildanature.org
Boys and Girls, naturalist knowledge, skills development, health & happiness, environmental stewardship
Wilderness Reflections
Dave Talamo: https://www.wildernessreflections.com
Rites of Passage, Youth Quests, Day Quests, EcoTherapy
For Parents:
True North Parent Coaching
Jenny Michaelson: https://www.truenorthparentcoaching.com/
Parent Coaching and Support
Back To Earth
Jesse Sachs: http://www.BacktoEarth.org
Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development: A skill-building, ceremony based backcountry program for Teenage Boys
Deep Nature Guides
Scott Davidson: http://www.deepnatureguides.com
Council Training, Rites of Passage, Youth Series, Tracking
Gaia Passages
https://gaiapassages.org
For teen girls - Nature as Teacher, Guide, and Life Long Friend
Love Your Nature
Emily Frost: http://www.Loveyournature.com
Support and Guidance for Teen Girls; Coaching for teens and parents
One Nature Therapy
Amy Biesemeyer: http://www.onenaturetherapy.com
Individual Therapy for Adolescent Girls
Vilda
Spencer Neilson: https://www.vildanature.org
Boys and Girls, naturalist knowledge, skills development, health & happiness, environmental stewardship
Wilderness Reflections
Dave Talamo: https://www.wildernessreflections.com
Rites of Passage, Youth Quests, Day Quests, EcoTherapy
For Parents:
True North Parent Coaching
Jenny Michaelson: https://www.truenorthparentcoaching.com/
Parent Coaching and Support