Past Programs
Current and Upcoming Programs
» What We Do
Seven Stones organizes different types of programs for groups and individuals that carry out our mission of increasing sensitivity to difference and building meaningful connections and understanding across those differences. We also offer custom designed workshops, training, mediation and consulting services for corporations, individuals and educational institutions on a variety of topics.
Seven Stones is very versatile in the activities we offer. You can expect to see anything from painting activities and problem solving games to role plays and hiking, and from ropes activities and group meal preparation to guided discussions and film watching. We operate on a very grass roots level and carefully adapt our curricula to meet the needs of our participants. Most of our facilitators, trainers, instructors and program managers are volunteers from the local communities in which we work, and therefore very much help inform the style of program we conduct. In general, our programs tend to be engaging and experiential in nature; they also often use Challenge by Choice* as a means for encouraging positive growth and empowerment. Our programs emphasize the importance of respect for difference, the right to self-determination, teamwork and interdependence, respect for the natural environment and fostering a sense of compassion and responsibility. In short, while our program elements are extremely varied, they all reflect our core goals and values.
“Challenge by Choice” is a philosophy of learning often employed by adventure education specialists. It involves participants in choosing their own level of appropriate challenge in a given activity; one that is perhaps uncomfortable, new and sufficiently out of one’s “comfort zone” while still being safe and within his/her ability to learn. In an ideal case, a person would challenge him/herself enough so that they safely exceed their previous borders of “possible” and feel inspired to continue reaching beyond their perceived borders in other transferrable situations.
Our programs take various forms depending on the nature of the issue we are addressing. The following is a list of sample programs we have offered or will soon be offering in the coming months:
- 10 day summer camps and courses on diversity, leadership, environmental ethics, creative expression, community service and outdoor living for people 18 and up of different ethnic and religious groups living in Ukraine.
- 1-2 day workshops on gender, conflict resolution, and leadership skills for students in Ukraine.
- 4 day pilgrimage of reconciliation for Jews and Christians in Ukraine to sites of historic significance, along with a humanitarian action project at the end.
- 3 day Taize-style singing gathering in the Maramures region of Romania.
- 2 day interfaith retreats on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, USA
- Ongoing discussion groups on religion and current issues
Likewise, our professional services for corporations and educational institutions such as schools and universities vary greatly, depending on the needs of the participants. For example:
- A weekend retreat to address communication issues
- An afternoon interactive diversity training
- A 2-3 day in house workshop/training on cultural sensitivity and outreach
- Training of the trainers for those working with or leading other people
- A 5 day community service themed backpacking trip
- Consulting on overall structure and use of resources
- Mediation and facilitation for conflict resolution, either between individuals, or in small or large groups
If you don’t see what you want here, please feel free to suggest it to us. We are a small group of very creative individuals who are ready to re-invent our work to better meet your needs. We are enriched by the different perspectives we encounter, and look forward to hearing from you.