Other Activities for Children and Youth
(and their families and friends!)
Bell Choir:
We are starting back this fall. Students ages 7 years and up are invited to join our Bell Choir for twice a year performances, depending on the students’ schedules. We have places for more ringers this year but they need to be able to attend the practices, usually held before or after church on Sunday. Anyone interested in joining us, please contact Mary Noer.
Our Whole Lives:
OWL is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups. We held OWL classes for the 4th -6th grades this past spring with outstanding participation. We’re planning on a K – 1st grade class and a 4th -6th grades class in January 2011. It helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual 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. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. For more information, please contact Tricia Bowes or Andrea Petty.
Camping Trips:
Fall 2011
These fun trips take place at Arc Ridge Ranch twice a year. The trips are organized by Andrea Petty and are for families of all ages and make-ups. We arrive on Friday afternoon, set up camp, and go for a hike and stargaze. The next day we play a variety of games, gather around a campfire, make a craft, hike, and maybe fish or canoe. Some of us just take time to relax. Campsite jobs are shared evenly, including the kiddos, so everyone gets a turn to cook and clean – and even this is fun!
We camp in as green a way as possible with limited paper products and we take home our recyclables!
Halloween Party:
Date to be determined.
This is a favorite annual party the kiddos will NOT want to miss! We have group games, like popping balloons and egg races, we dance to the Cupid Shuffle, Bunny Hop, smack a pinata, and play individual carnival games for prizes! And don’t forget the awesome haunted house; our kids loved to be scared silly! Parents and kids alike will enjoy this afternoon together of food and fun – don’t forget to wear your costume!
Trick or Treat for Unicef:
We leave from church right after the Halloween party and bring our Unicef Trick-or-Treat boxes around the neighborhood asking people for change to help Unicef.
RE in the Park:
Fall and Spring
Date to be determined.
Occasionally we enjoy having our own worship service and having our classes outside! This takes place two times a year. Families bring their children to the park across from the church, and sign them in with the teachers before returning to the church for the usual worship service. (Some parents elect to stay, as they know what a great time we have.) We then hold a short worship service, lead by our teens, before breaking into our classes. Afterwards, we have games and snacks before the adults come back to pick up the children. This is a favorite event for both students and teachers. Ask about our famous moment of loudness.
RE Sunday:
Date to be determined.
At the end of our RE year, the students and their teachers plan, and are in charge of, a Sunday worship service for the entire congregation. The students are the worship leaders and musicians, as well as the ones to give the reflection. Each class presents their reflections on the lessons they have learned that year, in an environment that is safe and encouraging. This is one of the most appreciated worship services of the year for everyone.
Offertory Usher Training:
Our children are our offertory ushers. Children ages 5 to 12 years are welcome to attend a short training and then have their names added to the schedule of ushers. Next, younger children or first time ushers usually have an experienced child join them for their first time to participate in the service. Please contact Jessica Zinn if you have a child who is interested and would like to receive training.