Youth and Special Programming
2012 Charlotte Con (Feb 3-5)
Charlotte Con 2012 Flyer
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
One of the programs of which we are most proud is our outstanding life span sexuality education program, Our Whole Lives. Used across the country in Unitarian Universalist churches, the OWL curriculum is based on four primary goals:
- To provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information.
- To increase self-esteem and understand relationships with and responsibilities toward others.
- To develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision-making and problem-solving.
- To teach responsibility for personal health and safety.
Five levels of curricular materials are available, geared to grades K-1, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and adults.
In 2011-12, our RE program will offer three OWL classes — one for our K-1st graders, one for our 5th-6th graders, and the other for our 8th graders (held every year). Registration information will be available in fall 2011. Advance registration is required and there is a mandatory parent meeting f or each class.
Children’s Choir
Open to K-5th graders, the Children’s Choir performs at select services during the year under the direction of Donna Fisher. For details on registration and rehearsal times, contact John Herrick, UUCC Music Director.
2011-12 Childrens Choir Registration
Coming of Age
Every other year, the CYRE program offers a nine-month Coming of Age program for its high school youth which includes a mentoring component, service projects, two weekend retreats, and Sunday evening small group discussion sessions. The youth from our church are joined in the program with youth in the Piedmont UU Church across town. This program is offered in 2011-12. The Orientation will be held August 28 at 7pm.
Youth Services
Both the Middle and High School RE classes are responsible for planning and coordinating a worship service for the congregation. The High School service is held in the fall and the Middle School service in the spring. In addition, graduating seniors are "bridged into young adulthood" duringa service led by the minister and DRE. This year’s Bridging service will be held June 3.
Youth Trips
Our program offers its high school youth varied opportunities for growth in the form of three very different trips.
- Boston Heritage: Every other year, a week-long trip to Boston is offered which gives participants lessons in their religious heritage and in personal growth and leadership. The trip is now officially tied to the Coming of Age program - youth must participate in COA to go to Boston. As such, there will be a trip this year.
- Hartsville Mission: The annual Hartsville trip also runs a week but is much more physically and emotionally challenging. It provides youth with the opportunity to work on service projects in the South Carolina town of Hartsville. Their primary efforts are with Habitat for Humanity but teens also volunteer in the larger community, helping as needed.
- Other Trips will be scheduled periodically. Youth registered in the CYRE program will receive information about them.
Youth CONferences
Youth CONs hold an almost sacred place in many UU teen hearts. There are two kinds of CONs in our district: One kind is those held at the UU-affiliated Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, in Highlands, NC, which are run by professional staff. Three Mountain CONs every fall and spring serve the following age groups: Elementary (3rd-5th), Middle School (6th-8th) and High School (9th-12th). All UUCC youth planning to attend a CON must undergo a mandatory orientation session, held in the fall, with one or both of their parents. Parents are also encouraged to volunteer as trip “advisors”; CONs are a great way to spend quality time with your child. Registration through the CYRE Office is required. The next CON sessions will be held in fall 2011. Information about these CONS and the required Mountain CON Orientation will be posted in early fall.
The second kind of CONs are those held at individual churches in our district, which are run by the youth groups of the host congregations. Our high school youth group organizes and conducts the largest of these district-wide cons in early February.
These CONs are weekend-long retreats that include age-appropriate worship, workshops, small group activities, dances, coffeehouses, lots of food, and many opportunities to get to know other UU kids from around the district.