For Children & Youth
Welcome Families!
2024-25 Children & Youth Registration Form
Please use this form to register your child(ren) and youth for Religious Education (including childcare) for the 2024-25 year.
Ongoing Offerings
Spirit Play
Spirit Play (ages 4-6)
Spirit Play is a story-based approach to religious education that honors and encourages each child’s search for truth and meaning. Each week’s story invites exploration of UU themes, principles, sources, and/or traditions. Drawing from Maria Montessori’s approach to childhood education, Spirit Play reflects Unitarian Universalist values of respect for the worth and dignity of each person, and the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. At UUCB, we currently offer Spirit Play classes for children ages 4-6, although this approach can be adapted to any age — including adults!
This class meets in Room 105 during the worship service, except during multigenerational services and on Religious Education holidays. Children attend the worship service for approximately 15 minutes before heading to their classes; they may be picked up at 11:30am. Please register your child(ren) for the 2023-24 programming year before attending!
Two specially trained Spirit Play teachers facilitate each class. As children arrive they are greeted by the Doorkeeper, who helps them with their nametags and makes sure each is ready to join the circle. The Story Teller begins the class with a chalice lighting ritual, then introduces the story for the week. Each story is told using carefully designed props stored together in a story basket. The Story Teller concludes the story with wondering aloud together about the meaning(s) it may hold for the children, then carefully puts it away on an accessible shelf so that the children may work with it if they choose during their exploration time.
The DoorKeeper then introduces any special “works” available for the day, and the children are dismissed as they’re ready to choose which activity to start with in their time of exploration. Adults strive to observe silently, assisting only when asked, encouraging children to wait their turn, share, and clean up before moving on to a new activity.
Parents are welcome to observe the class at any time, but are asked to do so from the observation chairs rather than joining the circle. Children who are not ready to separate from their parents are welcome to sit with them until they feel comfortable joining the children in the circle. The reason for this is that Spirit Play is a place for children to explore their own spiritual identity, necessarily apart from their parents. Teachers will help reluctant children feel comfortable with their peers, and are available to discuss any concerns with parents after the class.
Kids' Club
Kids’ Club (ages 7-12)
This class explores what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. Through stories and discussions, activities and service projects, participants learn about Unitarian Universialist history, theology, values and principles -- and what all this may mean to their own lives both now and in the future. They get to know members of our congregation, learn about their work and what draws them to this church, and build connections. They also build friendships and explore the possibilities for their own roles in our Unitarian Universalist community.
Kids' Club meets during the worship service, except during multigenerational services and on Religious Education holidays. Children attend the worship service for approximately 15 minutes before heading to their classes; they may be picked up at 11:30am. Please register your child(ren) for the 2023-24 programming year before attending!
During the 2023-24 school year, Kids' Club is following the Toolbox of our Faith curriculum from Tapestry of Faith. Each class focuses on a specific tool that symbolizes an important aspect of Unitarian Universalism:
Session 1: Faith — Toolbox and Ruler
Session 2: Questioning — Magnifying Glass
Session 3: Integrity — Compass
Session 4: Flexibility — Duct Tape
Session 5: Reflection — Mirror
Session 6: Expression — Paintbrush
Session 7: Democratic Process — Chalk
Session 8: Power — Hammer
Session 9: Spirit of Life — Canteen
Session 10: Courage — Saddlebags (or bike panniers, or backpacks)
Session 11: Listening — Stethoscope
Session 12: Humor — Sandpaper
Session 13: Love — Gloves
Session 14: Justice — Flashlight
Session 15: Atonement — Level
Session 16: Resiliency — Hard Hat
For more information, please contact Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education (kimball@uubloomington.org).
Youth Programming 2025
During this calendar year, we have an amazing opportunity to build our capacity for youth programming at UUCB. Funded by a grant from the Center for Congregations, we will
- Raise awareness of youth needs among adults in our congregation;
- Train adults to be effective leaders of youth-centered programs;
- Organize activities for youth to build community, gain leadership skills, work together for social justice, and increase their connections to the greater Unitarian Universalist community.
To learn more about this project, the grant, and the broader context, please click here.
Youth Activities
Youth or their parents: please fill out this form to indicate your interest and the best dates for you to attend the following events! All events are free or very low-cost for chaperones and for youth (grades 8-12) of UUCB member families. Nonmembers and friends are also welcome, space permitting, at a discounted rate. Contact Stephanie for more information.
- Bradford Woods Adventure Education Program, April 19. Depending on feedback, we will attend a 4-hour OR 8-hour program at Bradford Woods featuring team building challenges that focus on planning, problem solving, and creative thinking, sometimes while traversing obstacles on the ground or up to 10 feet above ground. Register here by March 26 at 5pm
- Our Little World Art Studio (Nashville, IN). We'll carpool to Nashville, Indiana for a "Make and Take" session. Participants can choose from various projects to complete in the studio and take home with them. If time permits, we may visit other Nashville attractions while we're there. Our funding covers studio reservations and up to $30 additional for specific projects.
- Holiday World, May 23, 2025. Celebrate the end of school with a trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, to visit Holiday World theme park! This will be a fun chance to get to know each other better and kick off the summer holidays. Register here by May 8 at 5pm
- UUA General Assembly, June 18-22, 2025. This year's GA will be held in Baltimore, Maryland. Our funding covers most of the travel, lodging, registration, and food expenses for 10 youth (completed 9th grade) and 4 advisors, making this a great opportunity to experience General Assembly, meet youth from around the country, participate in youth programming as well as other conference events, and share an unforgettable experience. Register here by March 26, 5pm.
- Wild Nature Project overnight, May 10-11, 2025. Wild Nature Project, based in Bloomington, Indiana, provides training in outdoor skills for children, youth, and adults. This 24-hour program will feature: Nature Connection best practices, Earth Skills instruction (primitive fire, shelters, wild foods, teamwork, sensory awareness, and playing games combining all of that with sneaking and hiding), navigation and orienteering, creating a culture of inclusiveness, support, connection, and meaning, and rituals for connection, meaning-making, sharing, deeper understanding of self & others. To register, please email Stephanie by March 26 at 5pm.
- Wild Nature Project 5-day Wilderness Immersion Program, July 20-25. In addition to the benefits provided by the overnight described above, the 5-day program will offer best practices of repairing conflicts and peacemaking and a 24-hour solo Quest -- an empowering experience of looking within for the answers they seek. If you are interested, please email Stephanie by March 24 at 5pm.
- Youth Peer Pastoral Care Training. In this era of community care and growing communities of care we want to provide pastoral care training that is accessible to every UU youth. We believe that every youth can have the skills to listen deeply to a friend in need, every youth should be exposed to the nuances of listening within cultural contexts, and every youth should know who to turn to when their friend is in a crisis. This course combines video presentations of core content, featuring UUA staff, and discussion prompts, case studies, and other activities for participants. Topics include: an introduction to active listening, things to avoid, self awareness as a listener, how to end a listening session, practicing self care, offering trauma informed care, listening to collective pain, crisis triage, and expanding the circle of support.
- “Dinner at UU” series. A big part of mental health for teens and those of all ages is solidifying healthy relationships with family members. While adolescence is often characterized as a time of pushing away parents, it is also true that especially in times of crisis, parents are still deeply needed and often the best sources of support for teens. It is also true that overscheduled lives can make quality time hard. "Dinner at UU" is a 3 part series that brings teens and caregivers together to chat about the role of media in their lives over a meal. Because what will always be true is every teen needs to eat. Program topics include: Reality TV and Me; Social Media and Self Esteem; Sexualized Media and Stereotypes.
Youth Room Upgrades
In addition to activities listed above, we have some limited funds for upgrading our youth room. If you would like to be involved in designing this space or helping to make the changes, please contact Stephanie Kimball.
New Congregational Resources
Please watch this space for announcements of new materials available in our UUCB church library, coming soon.
Youth Advisor Workshop
In order to build effective youth programming, we need adult leaders who are familiar with best practices for working with youth, aware of resources available, and committed to the goals and priorities of Unitarian Universalist youth programming.
Together with Jennica Davis-Hockett and Nico Van Ostrand who specialize in youth programming with the UUA, we kicked off our grant activities with a training event on Saturday, March 1, from 10:00 - 4:00. The goals of this high-energy, interactive session were to:
- learn what is meant by youth-centered spaces;
- identify characteristics of safe, healthy adult/youth relationships;
- build skills for inclusive group facilitation;
- become familiar with resources available to youth and their adult advisors;
- practice using these resources to create powerful and engaging youth programs.
If you missed it but would like to be involved in Youth Ministry at UUCB, please contact Stephanie Kimball.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education program. Over a two-year period, classes are typically offered for Kindergarteners & 1st graders, 4th & 5th graders, and 7th & 8th graders. Letters or emails are sent to parents inviting their children to participate in the appropriate classes as they are offered. Please make sure your child’s birthdate and grade level are correct in our database so that you will receive all the relevant communications!
Milestones and Rituals
Child Dedication Ceremony
In this ceremony, children are named and blessed, parents dedicate themselves to the young lives entrusted to them, and the congregation dedicates itself to be a loving community in which all may thrive. This ceremony is appropriate for infants as well as young children who may be new to the congregation or have not previously been dedicated.
Age of Reason
Each year, we invite our First Graders and their parents/caregivers to participate in our Age of Reason ceremony. This is a special time when we recognize and celebrate children on the amazing journey of reading and learning independently. Unitarian Universalists think that it is very important to think for yourself, and first graders are beginning to have new opportunities to think for themselves through interacting with the world of learning at school or at home. To ensure that your family receives a timely invitation, please make sure your child's Church Center profile is up-to-date, including date of birth and grade in school.
Coming of Age
One of the most beloved rites of passage at UUCB is our Coming of Age program for high school youth. This program is typically offered every other year to ninth and tenth graders (though the frequency and age group may vary depending on class sizes). Participating youth are paired with adult mentors who share interests, and together they attend monthly CoA gatherings, worship services, and overnights, and engage in additional activities of their choosing. The program is designed to help youth explore their own beliefs, and culminates with a special worship service where they share their credos with the congregation.
Resources for Parents
Parents are their children’s first, and primary, religious education teachers. At UUCB, we take seriously our responsibility to support parents in this important role. Please reach out if you are in need of books, classes, support groups, or simply want to chat!
Questions about Religious Education Programming?
Contact Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, at kimball@uubloomington.org.
