Shotoku Children's Center,
The Teen Mentorship Program, The Young Adult Volunteer Program
The mission of the Shotoku Children's Center is threefold: quality contemplative education and child care; integration of children and families into the Shambhala Mountain Center (SMC) community; and development of excellent facilities for children, families, and the community.
In 1994, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche named SMC's children's center after Prince Shotoku Taishi (574 – 622 AD), who is considered largely responsible for the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Prince Shotoku was renowned as an accomplished statesman, artist, and visionary who succeeded in bringing peace and harmony to his country. He founded the Horyuji Temple, a repository of some of the finest Japanese Buddhist art.
During the summer, Shotoku provides quality care to the children of program participants and staff ages 3 through 12. Children spend six hours a day in mixed-age groups with low student-teacher ratios. Based on a contemplative educational model, the curriculum focuses on the Shambhala teachings, contemplative arts, and outdoor activities. Parents are responsible for their children outside Shotoku hours. As a result, parents may need to give up some program time or bring a nanny.
Teenagers ages 13 through 17 are required to either attend Shotoku (usually in an assistant capacity) or participate in the Mentorship Program. This program is an opportunity for teens to experience different aspects of SMC, including classes, the possibility of working in various SMC departments, and optional meditation instruction and practice time. If you have a teen coming this summer, they must be registered.
Young adults over the age of 17 either attend a program while at SMC, or work as a volunteer. Contact Adana Barbieri adana@shambhalamountain.org if you have a child this age.
It is important for our planning that all children, whether attending Shotoku, the Mentorship Program, or The Volunteer Program, are registered. In the event unregistered children arrive, there is a good possibility they will not be accommodated and will have to leave.
Adana Barbieri
Phone: (970) 881-2184 ext 328
E-mail: adana@shambhalamountain.org
Shambhala Mountain Center
4921 County Road 68C
Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545