Children & Youth Programs
Sunday Morning Religious Exploration
During our 11am Sunday morning service, our children and youth preschool through grade 8 participate in Religious Exploration in the CARE Building after the Time For All Ages in service. They are grouped in similar age groups: PreK, Kindergarten-1st Grade, 2nd-3rd Grade, 4th-5th Grade, and 6th-8th Grade.
Through the Soul Matters curriculum, they will be focusing on the same broader themes that ERUUFians are engaging each month in worship and in Covenant Groups and Chalice Circles. This learning happens through playing, discussing, community building, learning about Unitarian Universalism, considering their own beliefs, creating/building, finding out about other faith traditions and more.
For specific class times, visit the ERUUF calendar of events or contact the RE Staff. Register Now
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
OWL is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities. It provides honest, accurate information about sexuality. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, and improves decision-making. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture.
5th / 6th Grade OWL
This ten-workshop program is designed to help children ages nine through twelve to gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to understand and express their sexuality in holistic, life-enhancing ways.
Like the other Our Whole Lives programs for different age groups, this comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program introduces key topics like values, body image, gender and sexual identity, peer pressure, and healthy relationships with sensitivity and inclusiveness, yet without specifically religious doctrine or reference.
Read more: 5th / 6th Grade OWL
- Dates: September - December
- Enrollment Limit: 12
8th / 9th Grade OWL
This sexuality education program for youth models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. The underlying values of the program reflect the justice-oriented traditions of UU.
Read more: 8th / 9th Grade OWL
- Dates: August - May
- Enrollment Limit: 12
Middle School Youth Group (MSYG) - Grades 6-8
MSYG offers opportunities for all ERUUF 6th-8th grade youth to come together after the 11:00am Sunday service for fun group games, community service and social justice, and exploring their beliefs and values, as well as fun overnights! The group is supported by the Youth Specialist and youth advisors.
High School Youth Group (HSYG) - Grades 9-12
High School Youth Group (HSYG) is a great place to have fun and meet a community of other youth that share our UU values. Youth meet weekly, outdoors around the fire pit in the woods. Youth gather for games, events, activities, and service projects throughout the year. HSYG includes opportunities for community building, worship and faith formation, justice making, learning and leadership.
- Dates: September - May
Coming of Age (COA)
Coming of Age will next be offered Fall 2024-Summer 2025.
COA is a program for 9th-10th grades to assist youth in clarifying and articulating their personal beliefs and to grow more deeply into Unitarian Universalism. COA supports youth in creating a vision about who they would like to be and what they would like to do for the world. Each youth is paired with an adult mentor to support them on their journey of discovery and help create connections between youth and the adult congregation. The program culminates with a celebration dinner and youth-led worship service in which youth share their personal credos.
Read more: Coming of Age (COA)
- Dates: September - May
Youth Staff R.E. Internships
Youth are invited to apply to serve as assistant R.E. Teachers for our preschool and elementary age groups. The experience is truly emblematic of UU values: covenantal relationships rooted in community and mutual respect. This internship offers youth a chance to practice bringing their UU values into a work environment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed Coming of Age at ERUUF or another UU congregation.
