​Stepping Stones Elders

“Elders have been the ones who, over long lives of experience and growth, have converted knowledge and history into wisdom and whose revered role is to model this wisdom as they teach the younger generations.”  
​– Ron Pevny, Life Coach

Elders are in a stage of their life when they are inspired to gift their time and wisdom in working closely with Stepping Stones group Leaders to help participating youth learn to be authentic, self confident, and respectful of both others and the Earth. They support parents at quarterly parent meetings, and might shed light on parent or youth issues, help resolve interpersonal challenges, or simply witness and honor the Leaders in their work.

​Elders are generally aged 50+, have previous experience raising and/or mentoring children, and are passionate about Coming-of-Age and rites of passage work. If you or someone you know would make an inspirational addition to the Elders Council, please scroll down to apply.

What would be expected of me as an Elder?

• Participation in initial meetings to orient to the role and to your SSP group
• Attend Parent Meetings for your group (once every three months)
• Attend 1 daylong every three months (minimum) with youth and Leaders to get to know the youth
• Join summer camping trip if able
• Participate in the group's final Marking Ceremony at the end of the group
• Attend Elder Council meetings with the wider community (about 3-4 times/year)
• Seek ongoing connection and consultation with your Elder Buddy
• Be an ongoing "anchor" for Leaders and group families for the duration of your group
• Continued interest and willingness to join SSP events and connect with the SSP community

“Elders are people whose own roots, planted ancestrally so many years ago and now blossoming deep from within the soul, yearn to nourish the youth while participating actively in the process of creating a healthy, viable community for the future.” 
– Michael Lerner, Elder Council Co-Chair

Apply to be an Elder

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Elder with the Stepping Stones Project! Please submit your information in the form below. We review applications May through September, and will be in touch about fall group openings at that time. If you submit an application before then, we will save your application and contact you in May. Thank you for your patience. 

We highly recommend copying/pasting responses from your computer in case of a computer error.
Please contact us if you need a printed Elder Application.

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Thank you for your interest in becoming an Elder with Stepping Stones Project. We'll be in touch shortly.