Families, Children, and Youth Programs
Our programs use the values of Unitarian Universalism: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and love to empower our children and youth to ask deep questions and consider their own values and beliefs. We invite participants to forge their own moral compass and ethical understanding, while also emphasizing the importance of community engagement and covenantal relationships.
We welcome new faces in all of our classes and activities! You can learn more about what happens in each session by exploring our calendar of events or at the activities for families page. If you’re interested in sitting in on a class with your child, please come on in; we are happy to have you. If you’re new to our community, here’s some helpful info to plan your visit.
RE activities are led by experienced and supported volunteer facilitators and paid teen staff. All staff and volunteers working with children and youth at UUCB have undergone a background check.
Family Community
UUCB wants to enrich all aspects of family life. We provide opportunities for time together with other families and some time to be with other adults while your children are well cared for. Parent groups, family dinners, Solstice celebrations, social justice opportunities, movie nights, and monthly parent’s night out are all important facets of the health and vitality of the whole family that we are eager to support. Learn more about family community.
Toddlers
On Sunday mornings, childcare is available for children under five starting at 10:30 a.m. (Childcare begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays when the Parents’ Discussion Group meets.) Parents can either walk their children to the Good Earth nursery building before the start of the service or head over there at any point during the service. Toddlers are welcome to join in the first part of the service and participate in StoryTime. We have a rug with quiet toys and books at the very front of the sanctuary for children to enjoy while they are in services.
Children’s Classes
Unitarian Universalist religious education fosters creative discovery and intelligent examination and also encourages children to ask big spiritual questions about the world and their place in it. We believe that every one of us has a piece of the truth, and that we are wiser together. RE classes are divided by age groups and feature a wide range of activities, games, and crafts, all designed to help kids build community and think deeply about values and ethics. We emphasis a little bit of ritual as well, always lighting our chalice with the same words and gathering in a circle to blow out the chalice and “pass the squeeze.” Some Sundays feature an all-ages Celebration Chapel with lots of singing and rituals. All of it is fun!
Youth & Children’s Choir
Singing is a fundamental means of expression. It’s everyone’s birthright and an important tool for building human relationships. We sing to soothe babies to sleep and to comfort the dying. We sing to honor our country, beloved friends, and sacred ideals. When we sing together, we connect with one another at a soul level. Learn more about the youth & children’s choir…
Chalice Camp
Chalice camp is a fun and meaningful week-long summer day camp for rising 1st through 6th graders, with middle schoolers participating as Counselors in Training. At camp, hosted the first week of August on the UUCB campus, children learn values while expanding their knowledge and capacity to be articulate about what they believe. The activities during the week include energetic daily outside worship, classic childhood games, drama, art, cooking, community building, and community service based on curriculum developed by religious educators of our faith. Learn more about Chalice Camp …
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sex Education
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education program…
Youth Activities
Middle and high school youth are nurtured and invited into a loving community. There are excellent groups and classes for youth including Coming of Age and the sexuality education class, Our Whole Lives. UUCB has a youth group that meets monthly and provides an opportunity for socializing and further engagement. Youth also help make lunch for the whole congregation once a month and participate in several social service projects with organizations such as GRIP (Greater Richmond Interfaith Project). Learn more about youth activities…
