Elated Family Acupuncture
connected teens
A consistent space for teens ages 12-18 to learn valuable life skills through understanding their body and abilities to care for themselves, building relationships with other living beings and elements of the natural world, and actively practicing their natural rights.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE GROUP
*All content below is a work in progress and likely to be updated (central themes will remain)
*Feedback is welcomed and encouraged- send to elatedfamily@gmail.com
3 PILLARS OF FOCUS
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I. Natural Health - Skills for Self-care
- Levels of who we are: physical, mental, spiritual, and how they affect each other
- Appreciating and nourishing the body through all its phases.
- Chinese Medicine perspectives: applying the 5 Element system to our life cycles, daily habits, and body development as well as self-care techniques through understanding the body’s energetics
- Exploring the dominating paradigm of the pharmaceutical medical system, how it dominates our country’s concept of healthcare, and the effects that it has on our true state of health.
- Food as medicine: understanding whole food, nutrient dense diets, and applying our knowledge by making recipes from various cook books and online sources.
- Natural medicine creations: various herbal medicines made for a wide variety of practical purposes.
- PE at local parks: strength training, cooperative sports and games, yoga, qi gong, obstacle courses
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Assigned books:
"Healing with Whole Foods," by Paul Pitchford, “The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens,” by Gina M. Biegel, "Connected Family Medicine," by Eleyah Knight, and "Farm Anatomy," by Julia Rothman.
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II. Natural Connections- Importance of Relationships
- Connecting with people through team-building activities, communication skills, mentorship opportunities with younger children, and analyzing modern relationship imbalances and potential remedies.
- Connecting with plants through stewardship of the land and growing food
- Connecting with animals through the study of local animals, their uses and purposes in
our ecosystem and how we affect each other.
- Connecting with the elements through activities to develop personal experiences with
the weather, sun, moon, stars, fire, water, wood, earth, and metal.
- Creative writing and research on topics important to students, story creations, and storytelling through various art forms like theater.
Assigned books: "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho, "The Holy Man," by Susan Trott, and "Tao Te Ching: New English Version," by Stephen Miller.
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III. Natural Rights- Our intrinsic power, our birthrights, ethics, respect, and responsibility
- Understanding natural laws and rights from diverse cultural perspectives and putting
them into action
- Career exploration through workshops, community exploration, and classes with guest teachers
- Modern and applicable social studies, history, and lessons from great achievements
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Assigned Books: "Mastery" by Robert Greene, "Braiding Sweet Grass," by Robin Wall Kimmerer, "My Ishmael," by Daniel Quinn, and "The 5th Agreement," by Don Miguel Ruiz
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What are the most important things for teens to know that they can apply to their lives now?
What will they always benefit from knowing regardless of how the future unfolds?
How can we help them confidently become benevolent stewards of the earth?
Locations & Logistics
Connected Teens is offered 3 days a week (Mon, Tues, Fri) with opportunities at least one weekend day every month for community event involvement.
Start Date: September 9th 2024 End Date: May 29th 2025
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Logistics: 9am-3pm
M- @ Knight House- Nutritious Food Prep & Natural Medicine, Gardening, PE
Tu- @ Knight House & Various Locations- Coding/Digital Creation, Theater, Building Projects
F- @ Local Business, Venue, or Farm for Guest Teacher Workshop
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Locations: drop off and pick up are always at the Knight house:
11805 Williams Hwy Grants Pass, OR
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*Guest workshop/life skills teachers will be instructing classes at least once a week.*
*3 Pillar themes can apply to any day depending on activities available.*
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Community Involvement
Teens will also have the opportunity to participate in local events and host their own approximately once a month to be provided with crucial entrepreneurship skills .
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Sharpening Stone 6 Day Skills Camp
At the end of the school year our teens will have the opportunity to join us at Sharpening Stones' skills camp! It's an incredible way for them to connect deeply in and with nature, learn primitive self-sufficiency skills, and be a part of a nourishing community! https://www.thesharpeningstone.org/classes-offered-1
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Tuition- due monthly
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3 days/week: $300 per month
2 days/week: $250 per month
1 day/week: $200 per month
*Wednesday or Thursday* classes will be held November-February! Day will be decided by popular need.
4 days/full week- $350 per month
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OpenEd Tuition Reimbursement: If your teen is enrolled in OpenEd, tuition reimbursement is an option! Please see this website for more details: https://www.mytechhigh.com/apply
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Work-trade Opportunities: Work-trade options are available for families who need assistance in tuition fees, such as offering time to assist in the teen's garden beds and property maintenance, exploring opportunities for student participation in community events, grant writing, networking, and guest teaching/activity hosting days. These are limited and based on the number of full-paying participants.
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Supplies needed to bring: Backpack, notebook, pens and pencils (any color or type
preferred for writing and art), long pants, and closed-toed shoes (at least packed with), weather-
appropriate clothes for outdoor days (warm, water-proof jackets and shoes for cold rainy days)
self-care kits (provided and created during first day or personally made), full water bottle, lunch and snacks
On Mondays snacks will be provided and a nutrient-dense, whole foods lunch will be provided
and made together.
Assigned books will be provided in print and/or a link to audio formats for those who need assistance with obtaining them.
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Cell Phone Usage: Phones are discouraged, yet are acceptable if teens have phones off or on airplane mode during the entire day, including lunchtime (unless needing to call parents).
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Credits: This program can supply a log for subjects applicable to high school credits if requested.
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Homework: Books will be assigned for reading throughout the year (listed above). Engaging, interactive projects will be assigned as well. All homework is for the student's personal growth and class discussions/activities.
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Subjects Covered:
Language Arts: reading and writing assignments and class activities
Health: nutrition with cooking/food prep and natural medicine, PE/fitness daily
Science:​ technology with coding, life science with plant and animal care/interactions and studies
Social Studies: volunteering and mentorship, cultural diversity research and appreciation
Art: various projects including construction/building, co-creative murals, and outdoor trail art
Math: measurements, geometry, and practical application in designing and building
​Entrepreneurship: community event hosting/participation, career exploration
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Contact Info:
Eleyah Knight (831)428-4003
elatedfamily@gmail.com
*Enrollment forms will be available via email unless otherwise requested*
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Please fill out this pre-enrollment form for us to best assist your needs, answer your questions, and to ensure a place for your teen in this program: https://tinyurl.com/ctpreenrollment
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PHOTOS OF OUR ACTIVITIES:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551914274112
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About Your Host
Eleyah Knight, L.Ac.
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Eleyah is a mother of two teens and a licensed acupuncturist/Chinese Medicine provider. Her passion for developing an educational and life skills program for teens began as a response to the increasing mental and physical health challenges that teens have been facing and limited efficacy of the resources available.
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She is an avid writer, reader, gardener, and imaginative creator of art, music, events, and opportunities for community connection.
Working with children of all ages, especially in nature, has been a deep love of hers. Patience, play, and persistence have been some key values with this work. The aspects of maintaining balance in groups she's led and been involved in are respecting the individual needs of each student, having clear communication, and building mutually supportive relationships.
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