With delight we launch our tenth year of lively, engaging programming for children and teens. Our joyful mission is to awaken the heart of great wisdom and compassion in the next generation. Fifteen volunteer teachers and one staff specialist in Buddhist curriculum for young people serve seven age groups, nursery to high school.
Classes meet every other Sunday at 9:00 am. During the final 20 minutes we participate in the Sunday Morning Meditation with the whole sangha in all-ages activities such as guided meditation, story, and ceremony. Once per quarter, students design and lead an all-ages Sunday Morning Meditation.
Our topic for 2008–2009 is Compassion: Cherishing All Beings
Spring Session (5 weeks): The Open-Handed Heart
Compassion is a natural opening of the heart to offer empathy, love, and understanding, and, when needed, help. In Buddhism, wisdom is seeing the inter-being nature of reality: that we are all one whole, that "my happiness" and "their happiness" are not separate. This winter, we'll explore how compassion and wisdom support one another, bringing peace and connectedness to relationships and daily life.
Mindfulness and/or meditation are part of each class. We convey the teaching message with stories, presentation and discussion. We embody the teaching with creative activities ranging from games and skits to journaling and service projects. Rather than tell students what they "should" do, we co-create awakening practices, then encourage students to experiment and find what works best for them.
The program depends on parents serving as teachers, substitute teachers, and helpers. We kindly request that one family member co-teach every third year. Lesson plans are provided, and you receive credit toward classes at the center. If teaching is not a good fit, we can find an alternative service.
We will also have a new rhythm to fall, winter and spring quarters—8 weeks, 5 weeks and 5 weeks, respectively. This change allows us to end spring quarter before the end of the school year, allowing more students to be present for the last day of class.
To learn more, or to volunteer, contact Katharine Krueger, our Children and Youth Practice Coordinator.
Children and Youth Groups (based on age/grade in September 2008)
Nursery (6 months–3 years; newborns by arrangement)
Preschool (ages 3, 4 & some 5s)
K–1 (kindergarten & grade 1)
Early Elementary (grades 2 & 3)
Upper Elementary (grades 4 & 5)
Middle School (grades 6–8)
Registration Information
Spring Session Dates: March 22, April 5 & 19, May 3 & 17
Time: 9:00–10:30 am
Fee: $55 per child for the 5-week spring session (members: $35)
(The actual cost per student is $235. Donations are welcome.)
Registration remains open throughout the quarter, with tuition prorated.
Schedule shift begins Fall 2008
Starting in September 2008, Children's and Youth Practice will be meeting on the other every-other-Sunday. This is planned as a permanent shift.
Joint-custody families enrolled in the 2007-2008 program: we respectfully suggest that you try to arrange a weekend switch so that you can continue to participate. The new class dates match better with the sesshin schedule, making sesshins smoother and making it easier for volunteer teachers to participate in sesshin.
You may register using the Children and Youth Practice Registration forms, available here, at the Center or by calling 651-222-6968, ext. 1 or emailing
If cost is an obstacle, please apply for work-study or a fee waiver by contacting our Program Coordinator.