Programs

At SUUSI we strive to meet the needs of as many different folks as possible. We offer age-centered programs for youth, teens, and young adults. We offer over 100 workshops and over 70 nature trips. We also have lots of nightlife options. There is sure to be something to interest you!

Athletics

Everyone at SUUSI is invited to get a little exercise and jump in on the fun of SUUSI Athletics! The SUUSI Young Adults will be leading any interested and present bodies in games that will be focused on enjoying the company instead of the competition. Everyone is a winner when we play together, and nobody loses anything but a few unwanted calories. Games will include volleyball, basketball, touch-football, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, various pool games and anything else you would like to suggest to the group! Keep an eye on the SUUSI NUUS during SUUSI for the athletics schedule, though usually we gather in the afternoon during Community Time in the quad. So put on your shorts and sneakers, grab a bottle of water and get ready to have a great time!

Nature Trips

We encourage you to sign up for at least one Nature trip. You'll be spending a week in the New River Valley, in our special community of SUUSI people and Nature. While you're here, be sure to take advantage of the opportunities to explore an area rich in mountainous terrain, rocky cliffs, caves and the lovely New River. This is a great opportunity to add richness and challenges to your SUUSI experience. In our SUUSI circle, with interlocking components of the interdependent web, Nature trips get us out in the natural world to experience biodiversity. And we have a diversity of experiences to offer - we have about 90 trips on our schedule, offering expeditions at all hours of the day and night. Some trips are physically easy, and some are demanding - even strenuous. Whether you are attending SUUSI for the first-time or a veteran, we think there's a Nature trip on our schedule just calling you. We have added many new trips for 2008, including more family friendly. We also have brought back some of the old favorites.

The SUUSI nature program has officially adopted Leave No Trace (LNT) outdoor ethics. LNT is a program dedicated to building awareness, appreciation and respect for the great outdoors, particuraly public recreation places. We will be promoting the program as well as spreading the Leave No Trace message throughout the week during our activities.

Register early for trips, rather than wait until you arrive at SUUSI. We rent the vans based on advance registration. To keep costs down, we usually cancel trips with low registration before SUUSI, so don't wait to register. We no longer have waiting lists for workshops and Nature trips. If you don't get the trip you want when you pre-register, don't despair. You can often add more trips at Registration on the first day of SUUSI - and even after SUUSI starts, come by the Nature Office throughout the week to see what trips still have spaces available. Be at the Nature Tent 10-15 minutes before your trip is scheduled to leave. SUUSI is a magical vacation time, but the vans run on real-world time. And we'll take stand-by Nature trippers just before we leave, so don't be late. If a trip is full even at Registration, consider coming to the Nature Tent at the start time and taking a chance as a standby, because often there is a "no show." (Yeah, we've discovered some folks really will oversleep... the nap workshop gets very popular starting about Wednesday of every SUUSI.) Since our trip leaders are all volunteers and must fulfill their responsibilities to everyone, we require any person needing one-on-one assistance at SUUSI to be accompanied on Nature trips by a caregiver who also registers for the workshop. Each child under 14 must be accompanied by an adult who takes responsibility for that child's safety and behavior during the trip.
Click HERE to see Approved Footwear
Register the kids too, whatever their age, if you want them to join you on a trip. Everyone on a trip has to register. Be sure each child and each adult signs up for a trip, so we can ensure there's a seat belt for everyone in the vans and handle other logistics. In Virginia, car seats are required for all children under 8 years old. Please bring the car seat to the Nature tent when you arrive for your trip. Unless we say otherwise in the trip descriptions, the minimum age requirement is 14 years of age to take a Nature trip. To help you decipher the trip descriptions: 0+ means anyone can go, 12+ means anyone at least 12 years old at SUUSI registration can go, etc. The trips we have designated as Family Friendly are open to families with children less than 14 years old but are appropriate for children and adults of all ages. We encourage adults without children to participate in these trips.
You don't need to be athletic to "do Nature."
The requirements for trips are real. We emphasize safety, along with fun and companionship. If it's listed in the trip description, you really do have to wear approved footwear, bring water, flashlight, or other equipment as listed in the trip description. We want you to get into the natural setting at SUUSI - but we really do say "No" when we think the trip is a bad match for your skills or preparation. If you don't show up on time with the right gear, we may not allow you to participate. Mother Nature has beautiful vistas and wondrous patterns but also tree roots in trails, rocks in rivers, rain in the sky... and the trip leaders can't provide a cocoon of protection against all natural hazards. Don't make anyone depend on random acts of kindness. Nature workshops are group experiences as well as personal explorations, so please be considerate of others when deciding if you can handle a trip. We want you to stretch your self, but not the patience of your companions. On rare occasions we will change a trip's intended location to ensure safety. We cancel trips because of unsafe weather, not just because of rain. If we actually have to cancel a trip, your money will be refunded- or you can donate it to SUUSI. Refunds are not offered to people who don't come to the assembly point. If you have specific physical limitations or other questions, we can help you determine what trips are do-able. Anyone under physician's care should get their physician's permission before registering for trips. Trip leaders are under orders to "play it safe" and may not allow participants to go on trips they consider inappropriate. Questions? Contact the Nature Staff at nature@suusi.org. Please identify in your e-mail that you're asking about a SUUSI Nature trip.

What shoes do I need for nature trips?

"Approved immersible footware" is the type of shoe required on Aquatic Trips. They will not slip off when we walk through a stream. They will not fall off when we are in the river. They won't fall off when we hike through grass covered with wet dew and our shoes get soaked. To insure our safety, we require that everyone on a Nature Trip , wears shoes that stay on your feet, provide ankle support , protection and grip. Tied Athletic shoes are acceptable. Hiking boots are OK (except for aquatics trips), and for some circumstances in canoes and kayaks, some specialized booties are OK. We do not allow any "slip on" shoes.
Closed Toed Tied Submersibles The point: to keep your feet protected from rocks, broken glass, etc. They MUST stay on your feet throughout the trip and have a sole thick enough to stop sharp objects. No slip-ons, ancient shoes that are barely together, or other footwear that does not protect your feet. For other Nature Trips For hiking and discovery trips sturdy foot ware with adequate tread is required. For climbing, sturdy shoes or athletic shoes to provide good grip on rocks is required. For rappelling, sturdy above ankle boots with tread soles to provide footing while climbing to the top of the rappel site and to protect ankles from overturning is required. There's a bunch of shoes we wear in everyday life that work fine at the office, or in the garden, or walking around the yard... but don't provide the margin of safety we need for SUUSI trips. After all, we want to see Mother Nature and experience Father Time, not visit the emergency room.
We can't take you on the trip, or even refund your money, if you don't come prepared with the right footwear.

Nightlife

How can you possibly top a SUUSI day, full of growing, exploring, learning and loving – by going to Nightlife, of course! The 2008 venue locations have changed, and are more exciting than ever. There is something everywhere for everyone.

If you’re looking for a quiet family-friendly space to enjoy a drink and conversation, choose Common Ground. Want to visit a high energy dance club? CACHE is your best bet. Serendipity is available for the over 21 SUUSI-ite with discriminating dance taste, and drinks available for purchase. If you’re into live music, visit Cabaret and, if you’re a real night owl, Late Night. All within walking distance…who could ask for more?

General Nightlife Times - please check daily schedule

Cabaret	9:00 pm - midnight
CACHE	10 pm - 1 am
Common Ground coffee house	Sunday-Friday, 24 hours (opens Sunday at 10 pm)
Concert Hour	Monday-Thursday, 8:00 - 9:00 pm
Family Movie Night	Wednesday, sunset (9pm)
Late Night	Sunday - Friday, 1 am until ?
Serendipity	9:00 pm - 1 am
Teen Way Off Broadway	Friday, 7 and 9 pm

Concert Hour Monday - Greg Greenway

Think of it as SUUSI’s version of South by Southwest. Talent awaits you every night of the week during this family friendly concert event. We have something for anyone and everyone! Greg Greenway is known as a one man tour-de-force who is one of those difficult-to-categorize performers who have found a home on the modern acoustic genre. Musically he draws inspiration from all over the map --gospel, rock, blues, even world music, but its central appeal is that it comes through the singular lens of Greenway's humanity and his soulful affinity for the audience. To hear Greg's music, visit his website at greggreenway.com.

Concert Hour Tuesday - Alastair Moock

His website, moock.com, states, ”There was a time in America when folk music was relevant, edgy, even dangerous – a tool of personal and political expression, at once raw and beautiful. That spirit lives on in the music of Alastair Moock.” Moock occasionally performs with a band or accompanist, but you’re most likely to find him alone on a stage, sitting in a low chair, stomping a booted foot, picking his beaten guitar and growling out some of the most beautifully crafted songs you’re ever likely to hear. Those songs have won Moock top honors at many of the country’s most prestigious contests, including those at the Falcon Ridge, Sisters, and Great Waters folk festivals. In 2007 he was nominated for a Boston Music Award for Outstanding Singer/Songwriter of the Year. The Boston Globe calls him “one of the town’s best and most adventurous songwriters” and The Washington Post says “every song is a gem.”

Concert Hour Wednesday - Tret Fure

Women’s music legend Tret Fure continues to turn out marvelous albums, her latest being “True Compass” (Tomboy Girl). Who else could have written a love song such as “Look What Love Has Given Me”? It’s a song that is at once personal and universal in its affectionate expression of happiness. Fure keeps it coming in the jazzy flourishes of the title track, the acoustic twang of “Six Beers,” the heartache of “32 Years,” the political voice of “Try” and the rhythmic “Leap of Faith.” To learn more about Tret Fure, visit her website at tretfure.com.

Concert Hour Thursday - School of Rock

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night! The participants of the School of Rock workshop will be on tap tonight showing us their stuff. This is sure to be a high energy, high volume good time for all. We may even see a special guest or two in the midst.

Cabaret

Cabaret is the nightly intergenerational live music venue at SUUSI. It is the place to perform and see your friends perform. All ages are welcome, and the offerings remain family friendly for the early portion of the night. Later on, anything goes!

On Sunday night, an Open Mic(rophone) night will be held in order to give everyone a chance to show the SUUSI community their talent. Many performers on Sunday night will be asked to perform later in the week. “The Board” a large white board outside Cabaret, will show the schedule for each night – and is usually available by lunch each day.

Wrapping up the week on Friday night is Jamboree, in which two or more performers who have never appeared together on the cabaret stage agree to perform together for the first time. It is amazing and impressive what these groups can do!

Please stop by the Nightlife table at check in for more information.

CACHE: Clean Air, Clear Heads, Everyone

CACHE is an acronym that stands for Clean Air, Clear Heads everyone: A clean fun dance party for those 14 and better who love to dance in an alcohol and smoke free space. At CACHE you will hear tunes you would hear in clubs today – anything from the 80’s, to rap to hip hop. It is high energy, high fun so don’t expect to sit down for long, if at all. Bring your CD’s, as DJ’s will often accept requests.

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, CACHE is proud to offer extended "After Hours" until 3 am.

If you’re interested in a guest DJ slot at CACHE, please e-mail nightlife@suusi.org.

Common Ground Cafe

This is the SUUSI version of the coffee house – complete with delicious coffees and teas of all kinds, pastries and other treats available for purchase. The inviting, relaxing atmosphere is a great place to sit and chat, listen to fabulous recorded music during the day and live music during late night, play a game or all three. This year we are also offering wireless internet, so bring your laptops!

Common Ground opens at 10 pm Sunday night and stays open 24 hours a day until Friday evening. Brewed coffee is available most mornings, and throughout the day as well as the famous SUUSI Drip-O-Rama (self brewing device). Stop by on your way to workshops or just to relax.

Performers welcome during staffed hours listed below. Sign up ahead of time, or just show up!

Staffed hours:

Monday - 10 - 12 pm
Wednesday - 10 - 12 pm Smoothie night. Fresh, fruit smoothies, made to order.
Thursday - 10 - 12 pm

Please bring games (chess, board games, playing cards, puzzles, etc.) to share with others. If you find yourself looking for something to do at any time of the day or night, stop by Common Ground.

Family Movie Night

Come one; come all to family movie night on Wednesday evening at sunset. This year we'll bring back a classic, Charlotte's Web, by Paramount Pictures.

Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, snacks and a pillow and enjoy some well deserved (and often essential!) down time in the middle of the week. Eco friendly bug repellent is also recommended!

Be sure to check your arrival NUUS for location.

Late Night

For those who like to bring the sun up, Late Night is for you. Here you can grab a cup of coffee, listen to SUUSI talent (or let us listen to you!), play a game, or just chat. You never know what you’re likely to find, but you can bet it will be well worth staying up for!

Most late night activities occur in the Common Ground space, so if you're ready for even more SUUSI, please stop by after 1 am and see what's up...

Serendipity

If you’re over 21 and like to dance, watch people dance, or sit and chat with friends, this is the place to be nightly. DJ’s begin the night with “big band” music from 9 – 10 pm for ballroom dancing, and then just about anything goes. Our music collection spans over 80 years and too many genres to name. If you like a song, we probably have it! Bring your CD’s, as DJ’s will often accept requests.

Please note: A current photo id is REQUIRED to purchase alcohol.

If you’re interested in a guest DJ slot at Serendipity, please e-mail nightlife@suusi.org.

TWOB: Teen Way Off Broadway

What once began as an informal performance is now a full-fledged theatrical extravaganza!



TWOB began in a student lounge at Radford. The first TWOB was "Hair" and was performed on July 30, 1987, in the Highlander Room at Radford University. Who knows, one day it may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places...

TWOB gives our fabulous teens an opportunity to showcase their multiple talents in an original play. Previous productions include "Alice in SUUSIland", "How the Grinch Stole SUUSI", and last year's hit, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to SUUSI". Teens, if you have a love for the stage, are interested in designing/building sets, like the technical aspect of production, or have no theatre experience at all, check out the TWOB Workshop. For more information, contact our TWOB director at twob@suusi.org.

TWOB 1988: Tommy

TWOB 1989: Alice in SUUSI Land

TWOB 1990: Wizard of Blacksburg

TWOB 1991: Hair 1991

TWOB 1992: The SUUSI Brothers

TWOB 1993: Let There be SUUSI

TWOB 1994: Miracle of Summer

TWOB 1995: Jesus Christ SUUSIStar

TWOB 1996: Searching for SUUSI

TWOB 1997: How The Grinch Stole SUUSI

TWOB 1998: The UU Files

TWOB 1999: Return of the UUs

TWOB 2000: The SUUSI Bunch

TWOB 2001: Scooby DUU

TWOB 2002: A Mid-SUUSI Night's Dream

TWOB 2003: Forrest GUUmp

TWOB 2004: Batman UUnmasked

TWOB 2005: The Hitchhiker's Guide to SUUSI

TWOB 2007: Harriet and the Flaming Chalice

Teens (14-17)

The SUUSI Teen Program is an intense community experience for people ages 14 to 17. Adult staff and teen leaders work together to create a fun, safe and healthy place for teens to explore and grow. The week is focused around large and small group interactions, where UU principles are instilled and practiced. Each new day brings unlimited opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and learn more about ourselves and our community. In the SUUSI Teen Program, friendships are made that last a lifetime.

This year, since we’re moving to a new place, life in the teen dorm will be a little different. We’ll have more open space in the dorm to be together for activities like worship, teen meeting, and just hanging out. We’ll also have more time in our schedule so that we can get to know each other, the SUUSI community, and Radford. Days will start slow, but each afternoon there will be a variety of workshops to interest every teen. Touch groups, led by teen leaders, will give all teens a chance to reflect on their day with a few new friends. Then teen meetings each evening will bring the whole Teen dorm together to find out about upcoming events and share a brief worship experience. Nights, as always, will be the time when the Teen dorm truly comes to life. Teens can hang out at the dorm, play games, or attend Clear Air Clear Heads Everyone (CACHE), the nightly dance. After curfew, staff will lead trips to 7-11 or out to a field for wink, and there are always plenty of people awake for an all-night movie marathon or a late night culinary adventure in our kitchen. There will be interesting, challenging and fun activities 24 /7! For further information, look for a draft copy of the Teen Program Schedule in your arrival packet. When the catalog is published, be sure to check out General Workshops - many are open to teen participants. Check the Nature section for great trips within the larger SUUSI community or Nature trips specifically for Teens. You must register for them separately from the Teen Program, so make sure you get in before they fill up! The 2008 schedule is not yet available, but you can view the 2007 SUUSI Teens Schedule to get an idea of the types of activities. Life in the Teen Dorm Teen activities are based in the Teen Dorm. You can choose to live there communally with other Teens (single sex or co-ed floors) or to stay with your parent(s)/guardian. Teens not living in the Teen Dorm are welcome to join any activity at any hour. Between the hours of 1-6 am, teens not living in the dorm must check in with the staff and be accompanied by a parent/guardian when coming to or leaving the Teen Dorm. The Teen Dorm is a busy place and the center of all Teen Program activities. Something is happening in the dorm 24 hours a day. Because of this, the dorm is divided into areas for sleeping and areas for activities. We keep strict quiet hours on the sleeping floors (midnight to 7 am) and have a 24-hour courtesy policy on these floors (because we know that someone will be sleeping at pretty much all hours). In order to protect the safety of all teens, access to the Teen Dorm will be through the front door only. Attention Teens and Parents: This is VERY IMPORTANT The SUUSI Teen Program is only for people 14 to 17 years old as of the first Sunday of SUUSI. Because of this, all Teens must have proof of age on file with SUUSI. Everyone new to the SUUSI Teen Program must provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or driver’s license as proof of age with your registration. Don’t forget! You will not be able to stay in the teen dorm or participate in the teen program without proof of age! Absolutely no exceptions will be made. Important Information for Parents and Guardians of Teens! The extent to which your teen participates in our program is up to you and your teen. All teens and their parent/guardian must sign our behavior agreement as part of the registration process. There is room for you to set your own rules with your teen on the form. The teen staff cannot enforce any additional rules that you may set for your teen but it is always good to have a few of your own rules to let them know your expectations. See the section in the registration packet entitled ‘Rules for Teens’. Please read these rules carefully. All parents, guardians, and teens are required to attend Sunday night’s Teen Program Orientation, the exact time and location of which will be in the Arrival NUUS when you check in at SUUSI. Your responsibility for your teen will be for the duration of SUUSI. Parents/guardians are welcome to visit the Teen Dorm at any time. For the safety of the teens, staff, parents, and guardians, a Teen Staff member will ask you to identify yourself with your SUUSI name tag. Adults will be allowed past the lobby of the Teen Dorm only when escorted by a Teen Staff member. No exceptions will be made to this rule. You will be sent a schedule for the week early in July, and a copy of the Teen Schedule will be in your registration packet when you arrive at SUUSI. Any updates to that schedule will be posted each day in the Teen Dorm lobby. You will need to discuss your teen’s schedule and make time each day to meet. Each teen and teen staff member will have a mailbag for messages and goodies in the lobby of the teen dorm. We really do want to hear from you! Attention Guardians of Teens Guardians of teens must be at least 21 years of age, and each guardian may only be responsible for 2 teens (other than their own). All guardians must have a guardian form that has been notarized in the presence of the teen’s legal guardian (see registration packet). Being a guardian is in all respects equivalent to being a parent. Your responsibility for the teen will be for the duration of SUUSI. This means that you must communicate with the teens you are in charge of on a DAILY basis in addition to being the responsible person we can contact if needed. Teen Staff Teen Staff consists of volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences, points of view, cultures, theologies, and skills. The biggest thing that they have in common is that they value and respect teens! They are there to create a safe space for teens in which they can learn, explore, experiment, laugh, cry, sing, play, talk, share, and open up to each other. They are there to create an environment that is free from physical and emotional danger, and to empower teens to have as much fun as possible. Would you like to be a part of the Teen dorm? Are you an advisor, a graduate of the Teen dorm, a parent, or just want to help make the Teen dorm the best it can be? We can use you on staff. If you are over 21 and would like to be a part of this wonderful staff group for 2008, please apply for staff and fill out the Teen Staff application. Full time staffers will get a full voucher that covers the costs of your SUUSI registration, housing and meals. Feel free to contact the Teen Director, Lindsay Bennett-Jacobs, at teens@suusi.org if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. We can’t wait to see you for another fabulous year in the Teen dorm!

Young Adults (18-25)

The SUUSI Young Adult program offers a strong, caring, loving community to participants ages 18 to 25. We come together to live in a dorm for one week a year and participate in activities made by, and for young adults. It’s a smaller community within SUUSI’s own welcoming arms where you will meet new, interesting, and caring people every year you come. The YA program also offers exciting workshops that stretch the mind, body and soul. Each year the YA Staff put together a host of workshops and events based on the year’s themes, our individual experiences, and any past events that people still crave. Workshop topics include religion, politics, environment, beauty secrets, wrestling, sexuality, gender stereotypes, screen printing, being single, music, thrift store shopping tattooing and piercing (which involves an exciting field trip to downtown Blacksburg), and more. We also have plenty of late night activities such as a love feast, hilarious games, dirty dancing, kick-ass movies, late night 7-11 trips and karaoke, not to mention spontaneous craziness that usually breaks out. Watch out for performances: YA talent tends to surface at the coffee house, cabaret, and other more random outlets as well. The YAs also dominate the dance floors at CACHE and Serendipity. We participate in two important bridging ceremonies as well. One ceremony will be to welcome the teens that will be young adults at the following SUUSI, and the second to recognize those YAs that are 25 years old and will be leaving the YA program and transitioning in to SUUSI’s median programming. This is a new and very exciting year for the Young Adult program as it will certainly be for the entire SUUSI Community. When we look at the meaning of this year’s theme, ‘Pilgrimage’, we often think about returning to the roots of our spiritual, communal, or personal beliefs. This year, SUUSI returns to Radford, a place that has welcomed us in many previous years, and where from 1975 to 1979, we grew from 640 members to the current number of nearly 1,000 people coming every year. This year, as we go on this Pilgrimage to Radford, it is time to think about the roots of the SUUSI community and the UU heritage we share. But what does this pilgrimage mean for the YA program in itself? This year, the YA Staff is hoping to bring the ideas of returning to the SUUSI roots into our whole process of planning our events, workshops, discussions, and worships for the YA community. In this we hope to bring back focus on our integration into this amazing Intergenerational community that SUUSI offers us. We will be modifying old events, or offering new ones that we hope to bring to everyone in the SUUSI community. We hope to bring our community out to everyone else so that every SUUSI participant might get to experience the community bonds that have brought YA’s back to SUUSI year after year after year. We do this by holding various staff positions, continuing leading the daily athletics, inviting other SUUSI-goers to specific workshops, and leading some community time activities too. And watch out for our performers: YA talent tends to surface at the coffee house, cabaret, and other, more random outlets as well. And make sure to come challenge us to a dance off on the floors at Cache and Serendipity. Wondering what you should pack for the week? Must haves are cameras, swimsuits, music, instruments, and fans! Also, bring your games, toys, inflatable anythings, your favorite clothes for all types of weather and for dressing up, an open mind, good ideas, and great feelings. If you bring a book, this is fair warning that you will have little time to read it. That is, unless you enjoy seclusion and introversion, which is totally cool too. One of the ways to get to know the YAs and be a part of the community before and after SUUSI is through the young adult listserv. If you would like to join and share with the community on-line, simply email us! And if you have any additional questions/concerns/ ideas about the YA program, feel free to email the YA Director, Davin Taddeo, at ya@suusi.org. Can't wait to see you there!

Young Adult Staff

ANNOUNCEMENT!

There is a new, specially oriented position on YA staff this year. There is now, along with the role of Chaplain, the new role of SUUSI Community Liaison joining our ranks. This will be a young adult staffer who's purpose is to help better integrate the YA community with the general SUUSI population, the teen program, youth program, coffee house, late night, cabaret, etc.. I'm hoping that this will be a role the many will want to fill and expand upon to help our community grow with the SUUSI ideals of a truly integrated, intergenerational, intentional community. Davin Taddeo 2008 Young Adult Programs Director -------------------------- Each year, several members of the young adult community step forward to take responsibility to plan discussions, workshops, late night activities, and more for the entire Young Adult Community to enjoy. Though one of our main goals may be to provide the entertainment to the YA community at SUUSI we also:
• Support YAs physically and emotionally should they need it,
• Mediate minor conflicts if there are any,
• Set an example of the behavior expected at SUUSI,
• Act as a portal between the young adults and the rest of the SUUSI community,
• Encourage integration between the YAs and other groups here at SUUSI,
• Have fun with our SUUSI friends!
For those of you interested in applying to be on staff, take a look at the YA Staff Expectations. Or feel free to contact the YA Director at ya@suusi.org if you have any questions.

Young Adult Staff Expectations

The following are expectations that I have for anybody who would like to be a young adult staffer. The General expectations apply to all staff members, including the Chaplain and the Community Liaison, except where their individual expectations differ. Where there is a difference (i.e. number of workshops that they need to plan, those positions will be held to their position expectations. If you have any questions about the expectations or being on staff, e-mail Davin Taddeo, the director at ya@suusi.org.

General Staff Expectations:

1. COMMUNITY BUILDING:  Independently and together as a staff work to help build and maintain a safe and welcoming community of young adults that integrate smoothly with the greater SUUSI web.
2. PARTICIPATION:  Actively participate in the young adult program.  This means dedication to pre-SUUSI planning, supporting/attending young adult workshops, worships and nightlife activities, and encouraging young adult participants to do the same.
3. COMMUNICATION:  Keep up with and contribute to the YA staff online communications, engage in conversations with fellow staffers, and speak up when something is wrong!  Open communication is so important for all aspects of staffing especially planning and brainstorming, problem solving, and maintaining staff unity.  It is essential to communicate in order to maintain your position on staff.
4. WORKSHOPS:  Plan and help lead/facilitate young adult workshops, activities and events. Full staff members are expected to work for 40 hours, which basically equates to planning, preparing for, leading, and cleaning up after at least 2 workshops, helping out with at least 5 other activities, and being available to help if needed.  Half staff members are expected to work for 20 hours, which equates to planning, preparing for, leading, and cleaning up after at least 1 workshop, helping out with at least 3 other activities, and being there for fellow staffers in a pinch.
5. TRAINING:  Attend the staff training weekend, which will be held in March.  Travel for the meeting will be covered by SUUSI, so this event is intended to unite the staff members as a whole, train for staff preparedness, and finalize any planning details.
6. MEETINGS:  Attend all YA meetings held during SUUSI (usually once a day for about 30 minutes or less) Arrive the day before SUUSI starts (Saturday), for crucial planning and set up.
7. RULES:  Understand, adhere to and enforce the by-laws and policies of SUUSI, uphold the governing laws and statutes of the state in which SUUSI is held, abide by any and all rules and regulations of the institution where SUUSI is held, adhere to all the rules set for the YA community AND help enforce the rules to insure the safety and well being of everyone at SUUSI and SUUSI itself.
8. ATTITUDE:  Commit to working with the young adult staff and director in an open, unified, collaborative and cooperative way.  Speak up and confront issues in a positive, constructive manner.
9. RELIABILITY:  All staffers are responsible to ensure that any YA functions under their control are carried out.  If they are unable to mange a specific event for some reason, it is their responsibility to ensure that another staffer is given the information and materials to carry it out for them.
10. HAVE FUN!!!  We all go to SUUSI to have a good time, and being on staff should be a labor of love and a lot of FUN!!!!

Young Adult Chaplain Expectations:

1. Abide by the General YA Staff Expectations, except where they differ from the following expectations of the YA Chaplain.
2. WORSHIP: The YA Chaplain is responsible for planning a very short chalice lighting and closing for the Staff Meeting.  They are expected to hold a very short worship for the early arrival staff members.  They will be responsible for ensuring that worship takes place for the general YA community for 5 of the 6 nights of SUUSI.
3. COMFORT: The Chaplain's other responsibility is to be there to talk to the individual members of the YA community should they need to confide in someone or discuss problems they are having during the week.  Though these are private and confidential, the Chaplain is not a minister and should be willing and ready to call the Minister of the day if someone needs them.  They should also be prepared to call the YA Director or another staffer, should there need to be some sort of action taken to respond to rule violations or possible conflicts with the YA community itself.
4. WORKSHOPS:  The Chaplain is expected to still lead a minimum of one workshop or discussion and help with one late night activity and one other workshop/discussion.

Young Adult Community Liaison Expectations:

1. Abide by the General YA Staff Expectations, except where they differ from the following expectations of the YA Chaplain.
2. WORDSPREADING: The YA Community Liaison is responsible for having an article in each issue of the SUUSI NUUS to in some way encourage interaction between the young adults and the greater community.  Either through invitations to YA workshop/discussions that are being held that day, or just asking the general community to meet a YA.
3. YA INTEGRATION: The Liaison should encourage as many YAs to attend general SUUSI events such as Theme Talks, Worships, and Town Hall Meetings.  They are also to attend many of these where possible and report on them in the YA Community Meetings in order to keep our community in tune with the course and mindset of SUUSI
4. WORKSHOPS:  The Laison is expected to still lead a minimum of one workshop or discussion and help with one late night activity and one other workshop/discussion.

Youth

Click(HERE)for the 2008 Youth Schedules, Letters, and other Important Papers

NEW for 2008
• Music for youth with concert performer Alistair Moock
• 11-12 year old's trip to Claytor Lake
• Messing with Boats workshop for 11-13 year olds
Also, in response to your evaluation feedback, we are now offering childcare for parents taking nature trips. Youth staff will be available one hour before morning programming (8:00-9:00 AM) and thirty minutes after morning programming (12:00-12:30 PM). For dietary reasons, Youth staffers are not authorized to take children to lunch or dinner. There is no charge for this additional childcare; however, we do need to know how many children will be staying for childcare time so that we can ensure a safe child-staff ratio. Please let us know if you are taking one of the nature trips for which babysitting is available and you need SUUSI Youth Staff to provide babysitting.
Oldies but Goodies
• Tie-dye
• 13 year olds' SLOG trip
• Arts & Crafts
• Outdoor Games
• Bowling
• Caving and Advanced Caving for 9-13 year olds
• UU Principles
• Snacks
• Youth Closing Circle with performances by the age groups!
• Childcare Co-op in the evenings so you can enjoy some adult time!
Children ages 1 day to 13 years old get to be a part of SUUSI Youth programming, where we work to create a safe place to explore, interact and grow. Each year we offer a medly of fun including outdoor games, indoor games,water play, art projects, drama, music, UU Principles, science,sandcastles, and tie-dye.


It's time to plan for summer!!!

E-mail or call me to let me know what you liked last year, what you didn’t like, and what you want to do in 2008! If you know grown-ups or really responsible teens that you think should be on staff, please have them contact me. Dianna 804-798-2416 youth@suusi.org

At SUUSI, youth are divided into groups by age. Our Youth Staff members have experience working with youth in RE programs, school settings, a variety of camps and, of course, prior SUUSI experience. Many were once SUUSI Youths themselves. All Youth Staff are focused on ensuring the safety and fun of every participant.

If you are new to SUUSI, or if you haven't attended for a while,
Click (more info) to visit our SUUSI Youth Program Overview page!

Morning programming for SUUSI youth includes a wide variety of age group activies including traditional camp games, crafts, music, and games. Afternoons are time for multi-age Children's Worship and workshops for our older youth. Younger children remain with their age groups, and many participate in our most popular afternoon activity - nap time! See the Youth Program Overview for more details.


Youth Programming runs Monday through Friday 9 am - noon and 2 - 4 pm to coincide with most adult workshops Youth Workshops will be listed in the spring catalog again in 2008!

Would you like to know more about the Children's or adult version of the Unitarian Universalist Principles? Click (more info) to see the words that we use to help kids remember what we believe. On the same page is the "adult language" UU Principles and our common sources of knowledge. See the links below for even more information. Interested in learning more about the Unitarian Universalist faith? Click (more info) to visit the UUA web site. Interested in how you can help your children live their beliefs every day? Click (more info) for EXCELLENT resources that you can use at home with your kids. Never forget that YOU are the most important religious educator in your child’s life! Remember: SUUSI is a family oriented summer church camp for UU's and non-UU's alike!
Where else can you have a multi-generational vacation that keeps everyone happy and inspired? Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact the Youth Director, Dianna MacPherson, at youth@suusi.org.

Childcare Co-Op

In 2006, the Childcare Co-op was officially adopted by SUUSI Youth! The childcare co-operative program is designed for parents who wish to share nighttime supervision of their children throughout the week of SUUSI. The co-op makes it easier for parents to enjoy all that SUUSI Nightlife has to offer. The childcare co-op is open to children ages newborn to 13. All adults who stay in the co-op dorm participate in the shared supervision program. Adults with children who do not wish to participate in the shared supervision program should choose to stay in the non co-op family dorm. The Childcare co-op provides parents with approximately 25 hours of shared supervision for their children in the evening during Nightlife programming. In return, each parent typically contributes 2-2½ hours of supervision. Parents or guardians wishing to participate in the co-op should check the childcare co-op option on the registration form in Section B. Co-op adults who have SUUSI staff responsibilities between 9:30 PM and 1:00 AM (or later on Friday) should notify the co-op coordinator of potential conflicts as soon as possible. Lois Stanton, the childcare co-op coordinator can be reached at childcareco-op@suusi.org.