KSC CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Mission Statement
The mission of KSC'S Children's Program is to plant the seeds of compassion and mindfulness in youth, as they begin their spiritual journey through the teachings of the Buddha.
Program
The KSC Children's Program is a dharma education program, under the direction of Lama Pema
Clark. We have three age levels, one for elementary school children, starting at age 5, called
DharmaKids; one for middle school students, called the Middle Way Group; and one for older
teens, called the Young Adult Discussion Group.
The program is free and open to all children. We find that those children whose parents attend
KSC regularly have the best chance of getting a great deal from the program. We encourage
children to attend as often as possible, as some lessons build on previous ones.
Curriculum
The curriculum for DharmaKids and The Middle Way Group emphasizes mindfulness and compassion, using meditation practice, stories, art projects, role play, games, and open discussion.
We follow a thematic progression called "16 Guidelines", developed by a group called Essential Education – Foundation for the Development of Compassion and Wisdom. You can read more about this group and its work at http://www.essential-education.org.
Lessons will be age appropriate and may not include every topic below.
How we think determines how we feel inside ourselves
Humility
Patience
Contentment
Delight
How we act impacts ourselves and others
Kindness
Honesty
Generosity
Thoughtful speech
How we relate to others
Respect
Forgiveness
Gratitude
Responsibility
How we find meaning in life
Principles
Aspiration
Service
Courage
The Young Adult Discussion Group, which piloted in Spring, 2011, relies on teachings and readings as springboards to discussions about how the principles of Buddhism apply to the students' lives. Both The Middle Way Group and the Young Adult Discussion Group also carry out service projects.
Schedule
Both DharmaKids and the Middle Way Group meet twice a month, from October through May, in the library on the bottom floor of the new meditation center. DharmaKids meets on Calm Abiding and Tonglen Sundays, from 9-11:30.
The dates through April are:
January 8 & 22
February 12 & 26
March 11 & 25
April 15 & 29
Starting in October, the Middle Way Group meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month from 3-5:30. The first meeting of the month will be a lesson and in-class activity, whereas the second gathering each month will be an outing or service project.
Young Adult Discussion Group – dates and times to be announced.
Contacts:
DharmaKids – Mary Ehlers – 541-499-1199, lodro.zangmo@hotmail.com
Middle Way Group – Theresa Lowrie – 541-301-2392, tmlowrie@hotmail.com
Young Adult Discussion Group – Alix Walper – 541-778-6509, alixwalper@gmail.com
Registration
Registration can be done anytime. Copy and complete the form below. Mail it to KSC, 109 Clear Creek, Suite 102, Ashland, OR 97520.
Download Registration Form PDF Here »
Lama Lodru met with the members of KSC's DharmaKids Program on May 16th, 2009. Offering scarves were given by the children, and lollipops were received in return!
