2018 is the inaugural year of our new Coming of Age Program! The details of the program structure have been improved upon and enriched by our dedicated program staff and input from the Village.
The heart of our program is the same as we have always brought to our mission of serving Bay Area youth. We are excited to be embarking on this journey!
The heart of our program is the same as we have always brought to our mission of serving Bay Area youth. We are excited to be embarking on this journey!
Coming of Age Program Details
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The pillars of our program:
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The core of our program is 7th grade through the fall of 9th grade, though we also offer the option to begin in 6th or 8th grade, and potentially continue into high school. Two adult 'Leaders' collaboratively mentor a group of 8 youth in a multi-year program. Groups are typically gender/geography/grade specific.
Logistics:
Group Community Structure:
The Program:
Daylongs:
Summer Camping Trip:
The Parent Meeting:
Marking Ceremony:
Logistics:
Group Community Structure:
- 8 Youth
- 2 Adult Stepping Stones Leaders
- Elder
- Parent Community
The Program:
- Groups are from 6th, 7th, or 8th grade into the Fall of 9th grade
- Groups have monthly, 6 hour daylongs for ten months of the year
- October-June + one daylong during the summer
- A Parent Meeting with Leaders, Elder, and parents is held once every three months
- The summer camping trip occurs during the months of July-September and is in addition to one regular daylong during these months
- Groups conclude with the Marking Ceremony in the fall of 9th grade
Daylongs:
- 6 hours long
- A consistent weekend day each month
- For example, the second Sunday or first Saturday
- Normally takes place outdoors or in nature
- hiking
- ropes course
- service project
- beach clean up
- city scavenger hunt
- outdoor group games
- fire tending
Summer Camping Trip:
- 2-4 nights long
- The location, length, and details are decided among the youth, Leaders, Elder, and parents
- Offers opportunities for bonding and growing as a group by doing everything together - building fires, making meals, sleepovers, taking care of each other (i.e. Testing Boundaries: Epic Tales of an East Bay Boys Group)
- Deepens understanding of how to be in nature respectfully, including 'leave no trace' and primitive skills lessons
- Often includes solo time and may include 'vision fasts', with youth taking anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours of solo time on the land depending on their readiness and Leader's capacities
- May be a backcountry wilderness experience or more local overnights depending on schedule and the unique abilities of each group (i.e. Adventures of a Marin Boys Group into Camino Alto Open Space)
The Parent Meeting:
- Leaders and Elder update the parents about the evolution of the group
- The meeting is an opportunity to share with a parent community the adventure of raising a young teenager and get support around the concerns and the challenges that arise
Marking Ceremony:
- Is the ceremonial marking of the rite of passage that has been happening all along for the youth
- Honors the 3 essential components of a 'rite of passage' (separation, transition & reintegration) and is the culminating experience for youth in the Stepping Stones program
- Occurs in the fall of 9th grade, or occasionally the summer before
- Is different for each group
- Celebrates the development, gifts, and place of each youth in the community
- The MC is created with the youth, parents and SSP organization, but the Leaders and group Elder really hold the vision (especially the challenge the group decides to face).
- The group Elder or the SSP organization (if the Elder is unable) support the parents in their participation. Support may include welcoming the youth from an intense experience with a special meal, or helping design what we call a 'Renegotiation Ceremony'.
- Nature-based solo time
- A physical challenge
- Reflective art project
- Tending an all-night fire
- Night hike
- Celebration/sharing of food
- Here are some additional examples from our blog.
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What do we do when we meet?
The Stepping Stones Project offers a unique and organic program. What groups 'do' combines the skills and passions of the group Leaders and includes the interests and struggles of the youth in the group. Every group is offered thematic goals and guide of best practices, but exactly what that looks like is up to each group.
We do this because it is incredibly important for the group experience to feel relevant to the youth, and for the group Leaders to mentor with authenticity and genuine interest. The last thing we want is for Stepping Stones to feel like school or a generic organized activity they're being forced to participate in. We encourage every group to create its own culture and make its own meaning.
We do this because it is incredibly important for the group experience to feel relevant to the youth, and for the group Leaders to mentor with authenticity and genuine interest. The last thing we want is for Stepping Stones to feel like school or a generic organized activity they're being forced to participate in. We encourage every group to create its own culture and make its own meaning.
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Topics that may be explored throughout a group:
Groups are a place to:
- discovering/being our authentic self and feeling a sense of belonging to a peer group
- evolving relationships with family and friends (friends is always a big one)
- practical tools to help deal with stress, anxiety, and growing up in these complicated times
- navigating peer pressure and societal expectations
- developing healthy relationships to technology and social media
- sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ matters (though we are a gendered program - girls & boys groups - we honor self expression and try to be as inclusive as possible)
- a place to grow and apply our awareness around diversity (ethnicity, race, class, gender...)
- how to spend time in nature with respect, or deepen our understanding of the natural world
Groups are a place to:
- be honest and get good advice about relevant real life issues
- face challenges together and build cohesion
- learn to balance group energy with individual needs
- connect to something greater than ourselves
- develop simple rituals to grow a sense of connection and establish how we speak and listen to each other. Rituals may include, lighting and blowing out a candle together, taking a moment to get mindful, or practicing the Way of Council
- play games that show us different ways we can be together, creating trust and intimacy
Next Steps:
- Attend an Info Night this May.
- Fill out an Application for your child. We are currently accepting applications for groups beginning Fall 2018.
- Contact us with any questions
- Spread the word to other parents you know.
- We will be in touch once we receive your application.