Goals

• Celebrate our youth as they transition from childhood into adolescence and help them to better understand who they are and what is important to them.
• Help our youth feel loved, accepted and empowered and to support them in making healthy life choices.
• Cultivate a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.
• Create a nurturing environment where youth can safely explore their personal and spiritual identity, guided by adults who understand and support the changes they are going through.
• Build community among our youth, where they feel deeply connected to each other and to the adults in our congregation

Important Components

Mentor Program — Each youth is matched with an adult from UUC community. Mentors and youth will get to know each other and learn from each other.

Weekly Workshops — Through interactive activities and discussions youth will explore their personal and spiritual beliefs and values

Personal Faith Statement — Each youth will write a personal faith statement (credo) with the help of their mentors and the group. Each youth will present their faith statement to the congregation.

Team Building Retreat and Ropes Course — An opportunity for youth to challenge themselves individually and to learn to communicate and problem solve in groups.

Initiation Weekend — Meant to represent the step from childhood into youth, the group will retreat for a Visionquest. Youth will spend time alone in nature to find purpose and direction for their lives.

Community Service Project — Youth and mentors will work together on a group volunteer project in our local community.

Final Celebration — The youth will help plan a Sunday morning service for the congregation. During this service, each youth will present his/her personal faith statement. The final weekend will also feature a celebration dinner for the youth and their families.

Parent Workshops — Parents will gather regularly to provide support and guidance for each other.

Duration

The program begins on September 25, 2011 and concludes with the Coming of Age worship service on May 20, 2012. Weekly sessions take place on Sunday mornings from 11:15-12:45.

Cost

The fee for Coming of Age is $300 for pledging families and $450 for non-pledging families. The fee is based on costs for the two retreats, Celebration Dinner, and materials. Scholarships are available for pledging families who need financial assistance.