Children and Youth Programming

Register Now! 2026-2027 Class & Activity Sign-Ups for Children & Youth

Sunday Morning Classes

Nursery and Toddlers Ages 3 months to 3 years

Play time is offered each Sunday morning by professional child care providers and regular volunteers.

Spirit Play Ages 3-6

This Montessori-based curriculum begins in a circle to hear a story followed by individual work time that can include a range of expressive activities to explore what they are learning and build connections with other children. It is a great class for active kids, as well as those who love to sit still and work on craft projects.

K-1 Our Whole Lives (OWL)* Ages 6-7 

Comprehensive sexuality education through age appropriate stories, activities and games. We cover: bodies and proper names for body parts, families and feelings, how to keep ourselves safe and consent, gender identity and how people are made. More information about the OWL curriculum is available here. This nine week closed-cohort, commitment-based program starts in mid September. (Students attend instead of their Spirit Play class during that time).

Spirit Play Ages 7-10

This Montessori-based curriculum begins in a circle to hear a story followed by individual work time that can include a range of expressive activities to explore what they are learning and build connections with other children. It is a great class for active kids, as well as those who love to sit still and work on craft projects.

5th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL)* Ages 10-11 

Comprehensive sexuality education that covers: the changes that bodies make going from child to adult, healthy relationships, how to keep ourselves safe, consent, and how to find accurate information, among other topics. More information about the OWL curriculum is available here. This eleven week closed-cohort, commitment-based program program starts in January. (Students attend instead of their Spirit Play class during that time).

Justice Seekers (Middle School) Ages 11-14 

Our teens and tweens will explore UU values, identity, and justice making hands-on!

Neighboring Faiths* Ages 11-13 (run in odd numbered fall years)

Young people become better citizens by learning about other faith communities through field trips. Major world religions are introduced and discussed, then a field visit is taken to see what that worship looks like and finally there is a discussion about each experience. We engage with Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Unitarian Universalism, and many more traditions.

8th/9th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL)* Ages 13-15 

Intensive and comprehensive sexuality education covering topics of health, relationships, safety and sexuality (in more developmentally appropriate detail and depth than the younger classes). More information about the OWL curriculum is available here. This is a full RE year program (mid September through mid to late May), and in addition to Sunday morning classes there are two Saturday retreats that typically run afternoon through evening. This closed-cohort, commitment-based program starts in mid September.

Coming of Age* Ages 14-HS senior (run in even numbered fall years)

Youth explore elements of what they believe, develop personal expressions of their faith, and delve more deeply into what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and part of a UU congregation. This closed cohort, commitment-based class requires consistent weekly attendance, and may include one or two weekend retreats, leading up to a worship service at the end of the year (late May or early June) where youth present their learnings and faith statements to our congregation. At the completion of the program, youth are offered the opportunity to become members of First UU. The group closes at the beginning in October, with no new participants added mid-year. 

Roots & Wings Ages 14-HS senior (run in odd numbered fall years)

Youth explore big questions like: Why are we here? What do you do when a law isn’t ethical? Is the ocean soup? We also learn different spiritual, mental/emotional health and community building practices; gaining real tools that help us be the change we want to see in the world.

HS OWL / Get Real Sexuality Education* Ages 15-19 (run sporadically)

In Get Real we revisit previously covered topics of health, relationships, safety and sexuality in more detail and depth that reflects the participants’ maturity.  Get Real generally runs once in the Winter/Spring.

*These classes require prior registration and are not drop-in. Coming of Age closes to new students at the end of October. Because of pandemic disruptions, if there is a class you would like to enroll in but your child does not fit the age requirements contact the office to discuss possibilities. For more information about any RE programming contact Amber Scott, Director of Religious Exploration.

Other Opportunities for Children and Youth

Choir

Peace Pals

Is our children’s choir for ages 5 – 10. They sing for church services several times a year, participate in the Holiday and Spring concerts, and perform for special occasions. Peace Pals sings music of many styles that is appropriate for younger voices and reflects UU ideas. Peace Pals often incorporate movement and gestures, and always lots of fun, into their music. Rehearsals are 1st and 3rd Sunday Mornings from 12:30 – 1:00 (after service)

Rising Voices

Youth ages 12 – 18 are invited to participate in Spirit of Life choir. Pending participants, our teens may sing for church services several times a year, participate in the Holiday and Spring concerts, and occasionally perform for special occasions. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm.

Youth Group

For those aged 12 years-HS senior this group uses a shared ministry approach to having fun while figuring out themselves and the world. It meets second and fourth Sundays of the month after worship service as well as several special events and activities like visiting a pumpkin patch, baking pies, camping, taking service trips and engaging in social justice actions.

Navigator USA Scouts

Chapter 147 at First UU is part of a co-ed, secular scouting organization that welcomes all people. Their mission is to help children and their parents spend more time outdoors, discovering what nature has to offer while getting to know each other. We have scouts from 5-12 years of age and meet 3 Sundays a month (2nd / 3rd / 4th), September through May.

Teen Teaching Assistants and Sitters

For youth who would rather help in a classroom than attend a class there are many opportunities to assist with RE, from managing bringing in the light during the worship service, to being an assistant teacher in a classroom, or setting out and cleaning up snack. There are lots of possibilities that can be tailored to individual interests and availability. Please note that paid childcare roles can only be held by youth age 14+, per Ohio law.

Teen Audio Visual Team

Would you like to help run worship on Sunday mornings? Learn how the camera and video streaming systems work? Get a chance to run the sound board? There are spots available to youth 12+ on our church A/V team. Please note that paid positions can only be held by youth age 14+, per Ohio law. Contact Myra Hartmann for more information.

Peace Camp

Every day—in so many ways—we are reminded that we live in a world of conflict.  Help your children explore ideas of negotiating a world that is challenging in terms of conflict, discrimination, and self esteem…. by sending them to First UU’s Peace Camp.  There we explore ideas of peace-making “Within, Among, and Between.”

In the span of a week, children will experience many peaceful practices, including developing a sense of community, problem-solving, meditating, singing, walking in nature, and more.  In these ways, our “peace kids” will start to build their own paths towards peaceful living.

This long-standing First UU day camp is facilitated by beloved Sunday school and SYC teacher Jen Bojanowski, Director of Religious Exploration Amber Scott, and SYC teacher Dawn Nauman, along with teen helpers and other volunteers from our community.

Peace Camp traditionally falls the first two weeks of August each year (9am-noon M-F), with a different age group each week (generally 6-8years and 9-11years). Be the first to sign up by joining the Religious Exploration announcements email list!

The suggested registration fee is $100 per child, but what you are able to contribute is not a barrier to participation! Families who are able are encouraged to give more, to help extend participation to those with financial need. Our biggest camp expense is fair pay for our beloved teachers!