Intergenerational Program Database

An RSVP Folk Fair is a demonstration of arts, crafts, hobbies, everyday items and unusual or interesting items-some from "years ago", some more recent. The fairs, offered at local schools, serve as an informative way to show the younger generation what older adults do for hobbies and what life was like when older adults were young.

RSVP BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies) is a prevention program using colorful puppets to encourage children to live happy, healthy lives free from abuse. Trained RSVP volunteers using BABES puppets and a script present accurate, nonjudgmental and age-appropriate information to all second grade classes in Portage County. The program is designed to help children by promoting self-esteem, defining peer pressure and practicing good decision-making skills. The program also helps the children understand and develop skills necessary to cope with unhappy situations and stresses the importance of asking for help.

This program recruits, trains, and coordinates undergraduate students to facilitate creative storytelling sessions with elders with cognitive disabilities in care communities affiliated with the Creative Trusts in Milwaukee. Students commit to a semester of storytelling but commonly continue for the full year. At year’s end, the stories are shared publicly to inspire others to use creative engagement to nurture relationships with people with cognitive disabilities. TimeSlips is used in service-learning around the country, but the Creative Trusts offers stable, shared governance of the program that is a national model for collaboration in this important area of need.

Sauk Trail fourth-grade students and senior citizens from around the area teamed up on a project this past year that combined art and the environment. The result was more than 60 pieces of art that demonstrated the students’ concern about the importance of preserving local nature. The program began by observing and discussing nature, wildlife, and habitats seen at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The students then spent an afternoon interviewing senior citizens at Middleton Glen Retirement Community, Heritage Senior Living, and Middleton Senior Center to hear what the environment was like when the seniors were fourth-graders. Back in the classroom, students discussed what they learned, along with what has changed in nature, the environment, and in life. They agreed there is a strong need to protect natural resources for future generations. Students in each of the three fourth-grade classrooms created a booklet, drawing a scene from nature for each letter of the alphabet and writing about it.

Grandparent/grandchild camp is a half week day camp for grades K-up. Adults and children camp in our campground with their equipment. Grandparents and grandchildren will join our staff who provide programs that encourage fellowship and interaction. Two lunches are included for the children and grandparents. There are optional activities for adults during the day.

Volunteers partner with students in grades three through six for after-school programs. The volunteers model and teach fun, healthy activities and hobbies in small groups in the school. Hobbies taught include: making nutritious snacks, collecting (stamps, coins, sports cards), crafting, the art of clowning and needlework. RSVP volunteers fill the community need to provide structured after-school activities while students learn they are valued by adults in their communities.

An intergenerational program where teens and elders gather to bridge age barriers and change the social norm of aging through inspired conversation. Beginning two years ago, STEP has changed the lives of many elders and teens alike. STEP works to help eliminate isolation, strengthen the community and increase peace keeping efforts needed in the world today.

Create memories to last a lifetime during this unique intergenerational program for grandparents and grandchildren ages 7-14. 

CRISTA Senior Living (CSL) and Kings Schools is located on the same campus. The Shoreline campus of CRISTA Senior Living consists of close to 600 residents from independent housing to nursing care. Kings Schools consist of over 1,100 students from preschool through High School. Throughout the school year and summer students and residents are actively engaged in several scheduled and spontaneous intergenerational activities.

Children and residents of assisted living and long-term care facility interact