An Education Worth Growing Into
A purposeful path for children ages 8–13—guided by parents, shaped by character, and fueled by curiosity.
Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society (YSS) is a service- and achievement-based learning society designed to help children in the Love of Learning years grow into capable, confident, and motivated young people—without rushing them, pressuring them, or turning childhood into a checklist.
YSS gives parents a clear, flexible framework for mentoring their children through meaningful projects, broad learning, and real responsibility—at just the right pace for this important stage of growth.
This is not school.
And it’s not unschooling.
It’s a guided path that helps children try things, discover strengths, build confidence, and begin taking ownership of who they are becoming—with you right beside them.
That In-Between Season Every Parent Notices
Too old for “little kid” learning—too young for academic pressure.
Too old for “little kid” learning—too young for academic pressure.
If you have a child between the ages of 8 and 13, you’ve probably felt it.
Your child is curious, capable, and ready for more—
but not the kind of “more” that comes with rigid schedules, heavy workloads, or early academic burnout.
They’re beginning to ask bigger questions.
They want to try real things.
They want responsibility—but on their terms.
And as a parent, you’re left wondering:
How do I challenge them without pushing too hard?
How do I give structure without killing curiosity?
How do I help them grow confidence and skills—without turning learning into a battle?
This season can feel surprisingly unclear.
Not because you’re doing anything wrong—but because it’s a transition stage, and most educational options don’t acknowledge that.
The Risk of Getting This Stage Wrong
When this age is under-challenged, children can drift—
losing motivation, confidence, or interest in learning altogether.
When it’s over-structured, they can burn out—
learning to comply rather than explore, perform rather than grow.
What children need here is guided freedom.
Enough structure to feel supported.
Enough choice to feel ownership.
Enough recognition to feel proud of their effort.
Parents Don’t Need More Pressure—They Need a Framework
Most parents don’t lack commitment.
They lack a clear, flexible framework that:
fits real family life
adapts to different children
encourages responsibility without comparison
and allows growth without rushing adulthood
This is the gap Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society was created to fill.
So… What Is YSS?
A Service- and Achievement-Based Learning Society—Guided by Parents
Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society (YSS) is a flexible learning framework that helps parents mentor children ages 8–13 through meaningful projects, skill-building, service, and personal growth.
It works a bit like scouting—but without uniforms, weekly meetings you have to attend, or one-size-fits-all requirements.
Instead, YSS is designed to fit your family.
Parents remain the primary mentors.
Children take an active role in choosing goals.
Progress is personal, not competitive.
Built for Homes, Families, and Small Communities
YSS can be used in whatever way makes sense for your life:
with one child or several siblings
in a single home
with a few like-minded families
or as a full community club
Some families use it quietly at home.
Others love gathering monthly with friends.
Both approaches work—because the heart of YSS is the mentor-child relationship, not the format.
Not a Checklist—A Collaborative Process
YSS is not a pre-set list of tasks to complete.
Instead, children and parents collaborate to:
choose goals within broad areas of growth
set expectations that fit the child’s age and phase
work steadily toward meaningful achievements
This makes YSS:
adaptable for different personalities
appropriate across a wide age range
responsive to changing interests and seasons
Children don’t just do YSS.
They help shape it.
Focused on Formation, Not Performance
At its core, YSS is about helping children:
build confidence through effort
discover interests and talents
learn responsibility in age-appropriate ways
experience meaningful recognition for real work
There are no grades.
No comparisons.
No pressure to “keep up.”
Just steady growth—guided by you.
Why YSS Fits This Age So Well
The Love of Learning Years Are About Exposure—Not Mastery
Between the ages of 8 and 13, children are naturally wired to explore.
They want to try new things, test their abilities, and begin forming opinions about what they enjoy and what they’re good at. This stage isn’t about locking in a future—it’s about opening doors.
YSS honors that.
Instead of pushing children toward early specialization or academic pressure, it offers broad exposure to skills, ideas, service, and leadership—while letting interest and confidence develop naturally.
Confidence Grows When Children Choose and Complete Real Work
Children gain confidence not from being told they’re capable—but from doing things that matter.
YSS invites children to:
set age-appropriate goals
work toward them with guidance
complete projects they can point to with pride
receive meaningful recognition for effort
This process teaches responsibility without overwhelm—and helps children begin to trust their own ability to follow through.
Structure Without Rigidity
Many parents feel forced to choose between:
rigid programs that drain joy
or
complete freedom that leads to drift
YSS offers a middle path.
It provides enough structure to support consistency and progress—without dictating how every day must look.
You choose:
how much to do
which resources to use
how fast to move
how to adapt it to your family rhythm
The structure serves the child—not the other way around.
A Natural Bridge Toward the Scholar Years
One of the quiet strengths of YSS is how well it prepares children for what comes next.
By practicing:
goal-setting
project completion
presentation
discussion
personal accountability
children develop the habits and confidence they’ll need when more formal scholar learning begins—without being rushed into it too early.
YSS doesn’t hurry childhood.
It strengthens it.
A Well-Rounded Framework
for Growing Young Leaders
Young Statesman/Stateswoman Society is built around six broad areas of formation—
each designed to help children grow in knowledge, character, confidence, and responsibility.
These areas are not meant to be mastered all at once.
They’re meant to be explored—steadily, meaningfully, and at a child-appropriate pace.
Together, they create a balanced foundation that supports the whole child.
Six Areas of Formation
Lamp of Learning
Cultivates curiosity, foundational academic skills, and a love of learning through reading, writing, math, science, and the arts—without pressure or comparison.
Family & Spiritual Values
Strengthens personal character, family relationships, and inner discipline through reflection, habits, service, and meaningful conversation.
Outstanding Citizen
Introduces civic awareness, responsibility, and community involvement in ways that help children see themselves as capable contributors.
Leadership Excellence
Encourages communication, initiative, planning, and confidence—helping children practice leadership in age-appropriate, real-world ways.
Georgic Freedom
Builds self-reliance and practical competence through hands-on skills, work ethic, and an understanding of how independence is sustained.
Hands in Service
Invites children to look beyond themselves and practice compassion, service, and contribution—developing empathy alongside capability.
Broad Exposure, Meaningful Effort
Within each area, parents and children work together to choose goals and projects that make sense for the child’s age, interests, and abilities.
Some children may dive deeply into one area.
Others may sample broadly across many.
Both paths are valid—and expected.
Achievement That Actually Means Something
Recognition for Real Effort—Not Comparison
Children thrive when their work is seen and valued.
YSS uses medallions and project-based recognition to help children experience the satisfaction of setting goals, completing meaningful work, and being acknowledged for their effort—without competition or pressure.
There are no rankings.
No races.
No “best” or “worst.”
Each child works toward their own goals, guided by you.
Heroes and Heroines as Models—not Mascots
Each area of formation in YSS is represented by a carefully chosen hero or heroine—real people whose lives reflect courage, service, leadership, learning, and responsibility.
Children don’t just earn awards.
They learn why these qualities matter.
Projects often include:
learning about the hero or heroine
creating presentations or creative works
connecting ideals to real-life actions
These stories give children language and examples for the kind of people they want to become.
Medallions Mark Milestones—Not Finish Lines
When a child completes the goals they’ve set within an area of formation, they earn a medallion—a tangible symbol of effort, growth, and follow-through.
Medallions can be:
worn
displayed
added to a walking stick, ribbon, or binder
celebrated quietly at home or with a group
They are not about showing off.
They are about remembering what was accomplished.
Culminating Awards as Rites of Passage
When a child completes all six areas of formation, they may earn a culminating award—the Cincinnatus Award for Young Statesmen or the Joan of Arc Award for Young Stateswomen.
These are not required—and they are never rushed.
For families who choose to celebrate them, these awards often become meaningful rites of passage that mark growth, responsibility, and readiness for what comes next.
What YSS Looks Like in Real Life
A Gentle Rhythm—Not a Rigid Schedule
YSS is designed to support your family—not compete with it.
Rather than telling you exactly what to do each day, YSS offers a simple weekly rhythm you can adapt to your own pace, season, and energy level.
Some families do a little each day.
Others gather ideas during the week and work on projects over the weekend.
Both approaches work.
The Weekly Flow at a Glance
Most families use YSS in three light touchpoints throughout the week:
Discover
You’re introduced to a goal area, theme, or idea—along with suggested activities and project ideas that spark curiosity and conversation.
Explore
Children dig a little deeper through hands-on activities, reading, creative projects, service ideas, or “rabbit trails” that match their interests.
Coach & Prepare (for Parents)
You receive mentoring support that helps you:
reflect on how the week went,
guide conversations more confidently,
prepare for what’s coming next.
This coaching is for you—so you feel equipped, not overwhelmed.
You Decide How Much to Use
One of the strengths of YSS is that nothing is all-or-nothing.
You might:
use just one suggested activity
go deep on a project your child loves
pause for a week and return later
adjust expectations during busy seasons
The program is designed to flex with real family life—not demand perfection.
Multi-Age Friendly by Design
YSS works well for families with multiple children.
Because goals and projects are personalized:
siblings can work in the same area at different levels
group discussions can include everyone
older children can lead or mentor younger ones
This keeps learning collaborative—without forcing everyone into the same box.
A Simple Tool That Makes Progress Visible
At the heart of YSS is a thoughtfully designed binder system that helps children and parents organize, track, and celebrate meaningful work.
This binder is not busywork.
It’s a portfolio of growth.
Inside, children record:
goals they’ve chosen
projects they’ve completed
presentations they’ve given
skills they’ve practiced
service they’ve offered
Over time, the binder becomes a tangible record of effort, responsibility, and progress.
Why a Physical Binder Matters
In a world where so much learning is digital and fleeting, the YSS binder brings learning back into the physical world.
Children can:
flip through pages they’ve filled
see how much they’ve accomplished
revisit earlier work with pride
take ownership of their progress
For many children, this visibility is incredibly motivating.
They don’t just feel like they’re growing—they can see it.
Support for Parents, Too
The binder isn’t just helpful for children.
Parents often use it to:
keep goals and projects organized
remember what’s been started or completed
document learning for records or reporting
reflect on growth over time
Rather than holding everything in your head, the binder gives your family a shared place to return to.
Flexible, Personal, and Long-Lasting
The YSS binder is designed to be:
personalized to each child
used across multiple years
adapted as interests change
meaningful without being fragile
Some families keep binders as keepsakes.
Others use them as living documents that evolve with the child.
Either way, they become something children are proud of—not something they’re forced to maintain.
For Families Who Want to Learn Together
YSS Works Beautifully at Home—And Grows Naturally in Community
Many families use YSS entirely within their own home—and that is always enough.
But for parents who enjoy connection and collaboration, YSS also works wonderfully as a small group or community project.
Some families:
invite a few friends to join them once a month
rotate hosting simple gatherings
create informal clubs that grow over time
Others begin alone—and later realize they’d love to share the experience.
YSS supports both paths equally.
A “Mom School” Model That Strengthens Families
YSS grew out of what many parents naturally do best—learning alongside their children and sharing that experience with others.
When families come together around YSS, it often:
lightens the planning load
increases follow-through
gives children an audience for presentations
builds friendships rooted in shared values
Importantly, these gatherings are not about instruction or performance.
They’re about encouragement, celebration, and shared effort.
Scales Up—or Stays Simple
YSS is intentionally designed to scale:
one family
a few families
a small cooperative group
or a larger community club
The same core structure works at every size.
You don’t need permission to begin.
You don’t need to “do it right.”
You simply start where you are.
Always Parent-Led. Always Flexible.
Whether you use YSS alone or with others, one thing never changes:
Parents remain the mentors.
Children remain the learners.
The pace remains flexible.
Community is an option, not a requirement—and never a replacement for your family’s rhythm.
You’re Supported—Not Left to Figure It Out
You’re Supported—Not Left to Figure It Out
Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society is delivered through a monthly coaching and content subscription designed to support you as the mentor—so you feel confident guiding your child.
Rather than handing you a pile of materials and wishing you luck, YSS provides a steady rhythm of guidance, ideas, and encouragement you can rely on.
A Predictable, Parent-Friendly Rhythm
Each week, you receive coaching and content that follows a simple, repeatable flow:
Discover — Introduces a focus area, theme, or goal with ideas you can share directly with your children
Explore — Offers activities, projects, and “rabbit trails” that deepen interest and engagement
Coach & Prepare — Parent-focused mentoring that helps you reflect, guide discussion, and prepare for what’s next
This rhythm removes guesswork while still leaving room for flexibility and creativity.
Printable Resources That Save You Time
Along with video coaching, YSS includes printable resources designed to:
spark project ideas
support goal-setting
guide presentations and service
help with organization and follow-through
You’re free to use what serves your family and set aside the rest.
Nothing is required.
Everything is optional—but available when you need it.
Built-In Inspiration Through This Week in History
Your YSS subscription includes full access to This Week in History—a rich, family-friendly resource filled with stories, ideas, and rabbit trails that naturally support the goals of YSS.
Many families find that this combination:
keeps learning lively
provides endless project inspiration
encourages curiosity across ages
It’s one more way YSS helps you stay inspired without having to hunt for ideas.
Mentoring Support That Grows With You
As you continue with YSS, many parents notice something important:
They’re not just guiding their children more confidently—they’re growing as mentors themselves.
YSS is designed to strengthen:
your ability to ask good questions
your confidence in guiding discussions
your intuition about pacing and readiness
You don’t need to be an expert.
You just need support—and that’s what this program provides.
What Parents Are Saying
From Families Using YSS in Real Life
“I loved the idea of Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society, but honestly lacked the follow-through to pull it off on my own.
YSS made it doable. It gave me just enough structure and encouragement to actually do it—and my kids took ownership in a way I hadn’t seen before.”
“YSS has given my 8-, 10-, and 13-year-olds direction and freedom.
They’re working on projects they’re excited about, and I don’t feel like I’m dragging them through school anymore.”
“What surprised me most was how much I grew as a mentor.
The coaching helped me feel confident guiding my kids instead of second-guessing myself all the time.”
“I used to get overwhelmed trying to come up with ideas and then end up doing nothing.
With YSS, I know when inspiration is coming, I can prepare a little at a time, and my kids feel excited instead of pressured.”
“The binder has become one of our favorite things.
My kids love seeing what they’ve accomplished, and I love having a record of real learning—not just worksheets.”
“This program came at exactly the right time for our family.
It gave us direction without stress and helped us reconnect learning with joy.”
Is Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society Right for Your Family?
YSS Is a Great Fit If You…
have a child between the ages of 8 and 13 in the Love of Learning years
want to guide your child rather than outsource their education
value curiosity, character, and confidence over early academic pressure
appreciate structure—but need flexibility
want learning to feel meaningful, not forced
are willing to mentor alongside your child (even while learning yourself)
believe childhood should be a time of growth, exploration, and responsibility
You don’t need teaching credentials.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need a willingness to engage.
YSS May Not Be the Right Fit If You…
are looking for a fully independent, child-only program
want rigid schedules or scripted daily lesson plans
prefer worksheets, tests, and grades as the primary measure of progress
need quick results or external validation
are hoping to remove yourself from the mentoring role
YSS works best when parents are present, curious, and involved.
A Note on “Doing It Right”
There is no single “right” way to use YSS.
Families who thrive in this program tend to:
start where they are
adjust as they go
focus on progress, not perfection
If you value growth over comparison—and trust that learning unfolds over time—YSS will meet you there.
Ready to Begin—At Your Family’s Pace
Simple Access. Ongoing Support. No Long-Term Pressure.
Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society is offered through a monthly subscription, giving your family continued access to coaching, content, and resources as long as it serves you.
Your membership includes:
weekly coaching and guidance for parents
flexible project ideas and learning prompts for children
printable resources and binder support
access to This Week in History
ongoing encouragement as your child grows
You’re free to begin, pause, or step away as needed.
This program is designed to support real families—through real seasons of life.
Start Small. Grow Naturally.
Many families begin YSS simply—exploring one or two areas of formation and letting confidence build over time.
Others dive in enthusiastically and grow into community leadership or group facilitation.
There is no “right” pace.
YSS meets you where you are—and grows with you and your child.
An Invitation to Purposeful Growth
If you’re looking for:
a way to guide your child without pressure
meaningful learning beyond worksheets
structure without rigidity
and a framework that respects both childhood and your role as a parent
then Young Statesman / Stateswoman Society was created for you.
Monthly membership • Cancel anytime • Use at your own pace