Green Sanctuary

As part of UUCT’s commitment as a certified ”Green Sanctuary,” the Green Sanctuary committee provides opportunities of learning about environmental issues for our children and young people. Activities are usually hands-on and interactive. For more information on Green Sanctuary, contact the Green Sanctuary Committee Chair or DRE Keitha Whitaker.

Special Pen Pals

This program links our young people and interested adults in our congregation as Special Pen Pals. Special Pen Pals will take place throughout the month of February, culminating in a party for the Pals following the service on the last Sunday in February.

What is a Special Pen Pal?

An adult and a child (K-8th) who write letters to each other. These letters can be sharing thoughts, drawings and other paper artwork, poems, stories, anecdotes from daily life, memories, etc. These Special Pals get a

glimpse into each other’s worlds.

How can I participate?

Throughout the month of January we will have Special Pen Pal sign ups. Simply register to be a Pal, and we will link you with a child or adult (which ever one you are not!) in our congregation. You also have to be able to keep a secret, because Special Pen Pals choose magical names and remain anonymous until the party at the end of the program.

Watch the Meridian for more details!

Kids’ Fun Nights/Parents’ Night Out

A favorite event for kids (and parents, too!). Drop the kids off at church on the designated evening, and parents are free for the evening! Adult supervision, games, and pizza are provided for the kids. Generally, the evening centers around a theme (like Pokemon or Harry Potter). The kids are happy, the parents are happy! Usually occurring twice a year, we try to schedule

one in late fall (so parents have a chance to do some holiday shopping) and in the spring. Please check The Meridian for dates and times for this popular event.

Come together with the UUCT community for an evening of good food and good fun on the third Wednesday evening of each month. These are intergenerational events. Sometimes, the evening has a theme and a plan, and sometimes, we just meet for conversation! Check The Meridian for the next event

Service Opportunities

Part of being a Unitarian Universalist is living out one’s faith in service to others. We encourage our youth to become active in various service projects throughout the year. Our younger children might participate in a park clean up day, while the older youth may assist in preparing meals at one of the local shelters. Children learn through doing that Unitarian Universalism is a faith of deeds, not creeds.

Harmony Camp

Harmony Camp was established in August, 2004, through the joint effort of the Racial and Cultural Diversity Committee and Youth RE, along with many, many congregational volunteers and teachers from the community. The camp provides opportunities for children to experience, value, and create harmony within themselves and with friends of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, with different generations, and with the interdependent web of life. The camp provides children a setting to meet a diversity of people and enables the participants to share common experiences, discovering that we are more alike than we are different.

A sampling of activities includes yoga, journaling, peace dances, music, drama, art, local history, taking oral histories, gardening, and conflict management.

The camp day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with before and after care provided for a fee. It is open to children throughout the community. For details and registration information for Harmony Camp 2007, contact the UUCT Office.

MountainCamp - Summer Camp in North Carolina

It's one of the most valuable and fun experiences a young person can have! Your camper will come away with memories that last a lifetime. MountainCamp fosters belonging and acceptance in a truly safe environment. Committed to providing meaningful, high-quality experiences for all youth, MountainCamp offers a variety of programs. Whether you are looking for two weeks of adventure, a summer-long experience, or a week-long leadership training, you'll find your niche at The Mountain.

In keeping with our values, we treat each child with respect, kindness and consideration, and we celebrate his or her individual gifts. A balance is maintained between establishing structure and boundaries to keep youth safe and creating opportunities for them to "test their wings." Scholarships are available. For further information, contact Keitha Whitaker, DRE, or Elinor Elfner (eelfner@comcast.net).

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