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COMING OF AGE
Middle school marks a critical period in a young person’s development. During this time, youth leave the dependence of childhood to take their first steps on the road toward adulthood. SSP creates a much needed support system, for youth and their parents, providing opportunities to more deeply explore this important transition. |
What is going on for youth at this time?
The fundamental task for youth is to develop a 'self' that is both authentic and socially acceptable.
Youth face many changes and challenges during middle school.
- Instead of the nuclear family, peers and society become reflections of self and relationships
- Sense of well-being and self-worth becomes dependent on approval from others and conditions outside of themselves
- Pressure to pursue “success” instead of self-exploration
- Consciously or unconsciously taking the first steps toward fulfilling the need for initiation into a group
How does Stepping Stones help?
SSP offers a space for youth to discover their own identity and be initiated into a supportive community through play, exploration in nature, and rites of passage.
Stepping Stones endeavors to guide youth through the challenges of middle school by offering today’s youth a contemporary coming of age experience, starting as a pre-teen and culminating during the teen years. Developing and recognizing their true self with purpose rather than just letting it happen is the primary goal of our coming of age program. The long-term nature of the group provides the time to develop confidence, self-esteem, and the capacity to engage in meaningful relationships with peers, family, community, and nature throughout their formative years.
Stepping Stones is committed to guarding a space for youth to play freely, make mistakes, and develop a true sense of 'self', friendship, and spirituality. SSP prepares youth to make healthy choices and have positive experiences in high school, and lays the foundation for them to ultimately cross the threshold of initiation into adulthood.
Stepping Stones is committed to guarding a space for youth to play freely, make mistakes, and develop a true sense of 'self', friendship, and spirituality. SSP prepares youth to make healthy choices and have positive experiences in high school, and lays the foundation for them to ultimately cross the threshold of initiation into adulthood.
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“The longing for initiation is universal and for modern youth, it is a desperate need. When nothing is offered in the way of spiritual initiation to prove one’s entry into the world of men and women, initiation happens instead in the road or the street, in cars at high speed, with drugs, with dangerous sex, with weapons. However troubling, this behavior is rooted in a fundamental truth: a need to grow.” |
What are the core values of the program?
Our core values are uniquely expressed in each group through nature connection, games, key conversations and creative rituals that reflect elements of traditional rites of passages.
The SSP 'Village' provides a much needed support system through the important and challenging transition from childhood into adolescence Our Coming of Age Program is a 2-3 year mentoring program for 6th - 9th grade youth. Our program offers a unique long term approach that addresses key developmental tasks to their growing up process, as youth cross this threshold. By creating meaningful contemporary rites of passage, youth and their families have a powerful space to engage authentically with each other and the greater earth community.
Stepping Stones explores relationships to CULTURE, NATURE and SELF, infusing daylong adventures and summer trips with meaningful activities and conversations. Throughout their time with Stepping Stones, youth experience initiation through the three stages of a rite of passage:
The culmination of the program is the “Marking Ceremony” which honors these three components of the rite of passage that has been happening all along for the youth.
Stepping Stones explores relationships to CULTURE, NATURE and SELF, infusing daylong adventures and summer trips with meaningful activities and conversations. Throughout their time with Stepping Stones, youth experience initiation through the three stages of a rite of passage:
- Separation
- Transition
- Reintegration
The culmination of the program is the “Marking Ceremony” which honors these three components of the rite of passage that has been happening all along for the youth.
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Next Steps:
- 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.
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"As we went through the opening ritual with the parent group for my 6th grade daughter, I thought about my two sons who went through the program... I knew in the fabric of my being that this was the greatest gift my children can experience growing up. I think it is rare for our kids to be truly witnessed, truly known and so completely engaged by those outside of the family during the most crucial time in their lives." |