For Families

We offer educational workshops to youth and families to help guide them through difficult conversations. Read on or contact us to learn more about this program!

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An educator in a red shirt points at a whiteboard that says "Consent is..."

Prepping for Puberty is offered once in the spring and fall, OR upon request from groups of parents. Prepping for Puberty is for ages 8-12 and is not only used to educate families, but also to forge connection, safety, and open conversation among youth and their adult(s).

  • Prepping for Puberty is a fun, interactive 3.5 hour workshop for youth ages 8–12 and their parent(s) or supportive adult(s). Bridgercare partners with the Gallatin Valley Child Advocacy Center to host this workshop.

    Youth learn about the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty from trained high school Peer Educators, while adults explore strategies and resources to support their kids through this transition. 

    Together, youth and adults practice communicating more comfortably and effectively about puberty—and have fun doing it (there’s always plenty of laughter)!

  • Puberty is the time in a person's life when they change from a child into an adult. This time is marked by a maturing body that can reproduce - or make a baby. It usually happens between the ages of 9 and 16. It's also a long process and can take years to complete all the changes. It can be an exciting time, but also confusing, awkward and scary for young people if they don't know what to expect. Having a trusted adult who is willing to talk about the changes is one thing that can help make puberty easier for young people. 

  • The workshop is divided into four parts: welcome and intros (youth and adults together), youth by themselves and supportive adults by themselves. The workshop will end with youth and adults together.  

    Youth will learn about: 

    • What happens to bodies during puberty 

    • Physical changes for all bodies 

    • Hygiene practices 

    • Gender stereotypes 

    • Developing crushes 

    • Regulating changing emotions 

    Adults will learn about:  

    • What to expect during puberty (emotionally and physically) 

    • Skills to help normalize puberty for your child 

    • Q&A session to answer any of your puberty questions! 

Register for our November Workshop!

Register Here!

Check out this Puberty Book List that our Education Team put together! Based in Bozeman? Good News: Country Bookshelf, our local independent booksellers, have a shelf set up in store for you to grab these books on the go!

Looking for Books to Help You Have Family Conversations About Puberty?

Access the Book list

    • There are age-appropriate ways to incorporate information about healthy and safe bodies for youth as young as babies all the way to adulthood 

    • By talking early, you set yourself up as the expert so your kids know that they can ask you questions rather than relying on their friends or the internet 

    • By establishing that you’re willing to engage in these discussions, kids are less likely to feel shame around asking questions as they grow up  

    • Model speaking openly and honestly about hard topics 

    • Kids are learning from you even when you’re not actively teaching them 

    • Try to remain open and honest during sensitive conversations, even if they get flustered 

    • If you get flustered, name how you are feeling and why 

    • Acknowledge when you don’t know the answer to something, then model looking up the answer from a reputable source

    • Try having hard conversations in low stakes context 

      • Make a casual observation, followed by a question 

      • Use media as a doorway into a conversation 

    • Practice curiosity when they bring something up 

      • Ask open-ended follow-up questions 

    • Let them teach you something 

      • It can feel scary to find out that they know more or different information than you

    Example Follow Up Questions 

    1. Could you tell me more about that? 

    1. What does that mean to you? 

    1. Hmmm, I’m wondering if you’re talking about... 

    1. I’ve never heard that term before. What does it mean? 

    1. What do you think about that? 

    1. How do you feel about _______?

    • This is likely the first time they’re going through a particular scenario 

    • Acknowledge that relationships, friendships, and peer dynamics can be really hard, even as adults 

    • Practice echoing back information they’re giving you 

      • Echoing Back Sentence Starters 

        • It sounds like... 

        • I’m hearing... 

    • Help them understand that rejection (romantic and friendship) is a part of life, but is very challenging 

    • Keep an eye out for signs of unhealthy relationships and physical, verbal, and mental abuse in relationships 

    • It’s important to understand your own values and recognize that your child might not share those same values

    • We want young people to be happy and safe 

    • Talk positives 

      • What are your wants for them? 

        • To be in respectful relationships 

        • To be safe 

        • To have positive experiences 

    • Try not to focus on what you don’t want them to do  

    • Discuss family and personal values and why you hold those values for yourself – share relevant experiences that are important

Strategies for Hard Conversations with Kids

Adapted from Speak About It!

Resources for Families Based on Developmental Stages

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Meet Our Educators!

  • McKeely Shannon (She/Her)

    LEAD EDUCATION SPECIALIST

    McKeely was an education and development intern at Bridgercare from 2018-2019 and is stoked to rejoin the team as an educator! Her mother has been a nurse for 40 years and provided age-appropriate sex education conversations throughout her childhood. She felt prepared and confident in making decisions about her sexual health due to this education, but also witnessed friends and classmates in college not having the same foundational understanding. As a nursing student, and then as a Community Health major McKeely became passionate about sexual and reproductive health. When not teaching you can find McKeely reading speculative fiction and foraging tasty things to cook and bake. 

  • Kylie Bachich (She/Her)

    EDUCATION SPECIALIST

    Kylie grew up in Bozeman, her involvement with Bridgercare started in 2017-2019 as Peer Educator for her classmates in the Gallatin Valley. She is beyond excited to join the team as an Education Specialist and continue to provide comprehensive sex education around the state. Completing a degree in Public Health at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Kylie is passionate about supplying people with the tools needed to make informed and empowered decisions about their reproductive health. Outside of work Kylie is likely hiking, camping, or doing some other variety of outdoor activity with friends and family.

  • Anna Couch (She/Her)

    EDUCATION DIRECTOR

    Anna is the Education Director at Bridgercare, where she leads a small but mighty team to help people of all ages learn about sexual health, healthy relationships, and how to take care of their bodies. Whether she's teaching in classrooms, leading workshops, or working with community partners, Anna is all about making sure everyone has access to accurate and empowering education. She is proud to be providing education to this community because she received sex ed in Gallatin Valley herself as a teen! Anna believes learning about reproductive health should be approachable, non-judgmental, and even a little fun! When not advocating for sexual health, you can find Anna on the trails, playing racket sports or hanging out with her two sweet pups! 

  • Anne McBride (She/Her)

    EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Anne joined the Education Team after a year and a half of working at Bridgercare's front desk. She is deeply proud of the work that Bridgercare does in the community, and is excited to continue that work as the Education Program Coordinator! When not nose-deep in data and program expansion, you can find Anne on one of Bozeman's many world-class trails, watching competition baking shows, and pretending other people's dogs are her own. 

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