Kids & Youth Community

About this event

For children ages 1-7 are welcome to spend a fun-filled morning at the Zen Center offering parents the opportunity to enjoy meditation and dharma/student talk. Together we will explore the surroundings of the Zen Center.

For youth ages 8–18: While parents participate in meditation and a Dharma talk, children and teens will engage in fun, age-appropriate activities that foster awareness and connection.

For parents: Please sign yourself up for the Kids Community if you are planning to attend Kids Community together. Otherwise please sign up for Saturday Community (meditation and Dharma talk) separately — register at Saturday Community (Talk by Shindo Kevin Souza) . For those who are joining the first time and are planning to attend mediation and talk, please join the Meditation Instruction (Includes Saturday Community) at 9am instead.

Kids/Youth Community Host: Kristin Misan (未散) Nichols is a German born Zen practitioner and began her studies in 2016 while living in Zurich, Switzerland. Shortly thereafter she moved to Sonoma Mountain Zen Center as a resident, studying Zen under Jakusho Kwong-roshi for one year. Her stay resulted in big life changes which included a permanent move to Sebastopol, marriage, the birth of two children, and a change in her career path from engineering to architectural design. Kristin pursues her architectural license working for Quattrocchi Kwok Architecture in Santa Rosa, and she and her husband are renovating their family home according to the most stringent environmental standards.

Kids/Youth Community Host: Nena Caviness is originally from Salt Lake City and now lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and kids. She works with her husband at TCW Equipment where they sell beverage equipment and support a small manufacturing team. The SMZC is her favorite place to be. She enjoys reading, playing, hiking, gardening, visiting with people, drinking tea, trying new things, and life.