{"id":6846,"date":"2011-03-01T12:26:41","date_gmt":"2011-03-01T18:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/?page_id=6846"},"modified":"2026-04-17T10:25:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:25:53","slug":"childrens-programming","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/religious-education\/childrens-programming\/","title":{"rendered":"Children and Youth Programming"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcome to First UU Austin\u2019s Children and Youth Religious Education!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re so glad you\u2019re here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of this program is to provide a space for children and youth to bring their whole selves, just as they are. Just like in the church at large, the Religious Education Department strives to create an environment of love, belonging, and growth in our community. Through our programming, staff and volunteer teachers foster a justice-oriented responsibility to ourselves, our fellow humans, and our planet, while keeping our values and love at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Sol, Manager of Religious Educations. <\/em><\/span>sol.cornell@austinuu.org<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Programs for Children and Youth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to First UU? Register your child here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Registration is encouraged for children under the age of 18, even for visitors. We gather your contact information to ensure your child\u2019s well-being during their time with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Sunday Morning Schedule:
10:00-10:50 – Religious Education Classes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classes are grouped by grade level but are flexible, Children are welcome in whichever class serves them best.
Prek-2nd<\/strong> – Beginning spiritual development and encouraging love centered values through play and hands-on activities.
2nd-5th<\/strong> – Learning about Unitarian Universalism and other faith traditions, and developing spiritual identity through stories, games, and short discussions.
6th-8th<\/strong> – Expanding understandings of faith and living values with guided peer discussion and active learning.
High School Youth Group<\/strong> – Creating your own statement of beliefs, supporting individual interests and identity, and fostering a sacred youth community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PreK-5th grade must be picked up by a caregiver or designated adult at 10:50. 6th-12th graders may leave class to find their caregiver and go to service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:00-11:15 – Start in Service; Story for All Ages<\/strong>
Fidgets, coloring sheets, and books are available outside the Sanctuary foyer. All ages will begin in the service, then be sung out to go to their Music Class or to the playground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:15-12:15 – During Service<\/strong>
On select dates, they’ll be dismissed to either Children’s Music Club (1st-5th), or Youth Choir (5th-12th) if they are part of those activities.
Children are invited to the playground for free play. Youth are welcome to come to the playground as well.
Children must be picked up by a caregiver or designated adult when the service ends. Youth are welcome to find their caregiver or designated adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children and Youth Safety Policy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Volunteering with Religious Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are so many ways to volunteer in our program!
<\/span>Even if you don\u2019t feel comfortable teaching, there is room for you. Feel free to reach out to Sol (head of children and youth RE) at sol.cornell@austinuu.org<\/a> with any questions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Additional Programs<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our Whole Lives <\/strong><\/em>Sexuality Education (OWL)<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our Whole Lives (OWL) was created in part by the Unitarian Universalist Association, and is an accurate, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate course about human sexuality. OWL <\/p>\n\n\n\n

addresses issues such as body development, gender identity, sexuality, reproduction, relationships, and sexual health. OWL classes for ages K-Older Adult are taught at First UU Austin by trained facilitators on a yearly basis. Visit our OWL page<\/strong><\/a> for our curriculum schedule and more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Programs for Children & Youth<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Children\u2019s Music Ensemble and Youth Choir<\/a> offer the children and youth of First UU Austin a high level of musical experience and the opportunity for personal expression of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer Camps<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every summer First UU Austin offers Chalice Camp<\/strong><\/a>, a day camp for ages 6 and up designed to build comfort and community at church and foster familiarity with UU concepts.

Each summer, UBarU<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 a UU camp and retreat center \u2013 offers week-long summer camps for 4th-12thgraders near Kerrville, Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Special Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Special Events in RE All Year Round!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer Camp – Backpack Blessing – Splash Day – Family Potlucks – Pride Sunday – Halloween Fest – Christmas Pageant – Surprise Pals – Pet Blessing – Baby Parade – Youth Sunday – Easter<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To receive weekly updates about special events in Religious Education, add yourself to the Families of Children and Youth Group<\/strong><\/a> on Planning Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to First UU Austin\u2019s Children and Youth Religious Education! We\u2019re so glad you\u2019re here! The goal of this program is to provide a space for children and youth to bring their whole selves, just as they are. Just like in the church at large, the Religious Education Department strives to create an environment of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":21467,"parent":3560,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-6846","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6846"}],"version-history":[{"count":120,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":141508,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6846\/revisions\/141508"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3560"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/austinuu.org\/wp2013\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}