Youth and Family Programs

Youth and Family Programs

IMC offers four age-specific programs beginning with kindergarten-aged kids and ending with 12th grade high school students. The Mindful Parenting Program has resumed.

Family programs take place in-person in the IMC meditation hall.


Mindful Parents

Led by Lauren Silver and Melody Baumgartner
Third Sunday of the Month from 11:15 am – 12:45 pm
September, 2023 – May, 2024

This year’s theme is Mindful Parenting in the context of the Eightfold Path. Each month we will explore a different path factor:

2023
September 17 – Introduction
October 15 – Skillful View
November 19 – Skillful Intention
December 17 — Skillful Speech
2024
January 21 – Skillful Action
February 18 – Skillful Livelihood
March 17 – Skillful Effort
April 21 – Skillful Mindfulness
May 19 – Skillful Concentration

Parents are invited to practice together in a warm and caring community, supporting each other as we raise thriving children of all ages—infancy through adulthood. Meetings will include meditation, mindful speech and listening, and have plenty of time for sharing.

You may attend all or any part of the series. No registration is necessary. Contact Melody Baumgartner at melodybaumgartner@gmail.com for more information.


Dharma Sprouts Program (K through 2nd Graders and their parents)

Led by Hilary Borison and Carla Rayacich
First Sunday of the month, 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
September, 2023 – June, 2024

Meditation and mindfulness practice through stories, songs, art, movement, and games. Parents/caregivers participate with their children. Please contact Hilary Borison at IMC.familyprogram@gmail.com or 650-575-2052 for more information or to RSVP. Please provide first names of each adult and child who will attend.


Dharma Rocks Program (3rd through 5th Graders)

(Sixth graders have the option of attending Dharma Rocks and/or Dharma Bodhis)
Led by Camille Whitney and Tim Sandoe
Third Sunday of the month from 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
October, 2023 – June, 2024

Meditation and mindfulness practice through games, stories, and art. Vegetarian pizza will be provided. Parents/guardians can either drop off and pick up their kids, or wait at IMC. We ask participants to sign up at least two days before the event.For more information, please email CRWmindfulness@gmail.com.

Biographies:

Camille began her personal mindfulness practice in 2001 when one of her high school teachers gave her basic instructions and a copy of the book “Nothing Happens Next.” Now she pays it forward by sharing mindfulness with kids in her free time (her day job is in education research, having received a PhD in Education from Stanford in 2016). Camille has previously worked as Head of Research at Mindful Schools and as a classroom teacher. She lived and practiced for four years at San Francisco Zen Center.

Tim has been practicing Buddhism since 2007. Tim lived and practiced at San Francisco Zen Center for seven years, where he learned to give introductory meditation sessions and held various work-practice positions including work leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (2009-2012, Eswatini), where he led various education groups with children and youth, and co-founded a mental health promotion organization that works both within schools and in the community at large.


Dharma Bodhis Middle School Program (6th to 8th Graders)

(Sixth graders have the option of attending Dharma Rocks and/or Dharma Bodhis)
Led by Hilary Borison and Conrad Sherby
Second Sunday of the month, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
October, 2023 – May, 2024

We are currently holding joint Mindful Teen /Dharma Bodhis meetings.

A time to explore how the dharma can support challenges and opportunities pertinent to middle schoolers through group discussions, mindfulness practice, creative activities, interactive games, pizza dinner, and opportunities for community service.

Please contact Hilary Borison at  IMC.familyprogram@gmail.com or 650-575-2052 for more information or to RSVP.


Mindful Teens (High School Students)

Led by Hilary Borison and Conrad Sherby
Second Sunday of the month, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
October, 2023 – May, 2024

We are currently holding joint Mindful Teens / Dharma Bodhis meetings.

We aspire to create a safe and joyful space where teens learn mindfulness to nurture inner-discovery, clarity and a deeper connection with others. After a guided meditation, we discuss issues that are alive and rich in us (typically around relationships with friends/family, stress, intentions, identity, etc.) and in general have some fun with life! Please contact Hilary Borison at  IMC.familyprogram@gmail.com or 650-575-2052 for more information or to RSVP.

We are currently making changes to this program. Check this page for updates.