All the People You’ll Meet at SUUSI!
SUUSI brings together people of all ages — from newborns to seniors — creating daily opportunities for connection across generations. Adults and children participate in both age-specific programs and shared community activities. Many attendees whose children are grown especially value reconnecting with younger generations during the week.
Community Time is our daily all-ages gathering. Be a part of this intentional community gathering where we can replenish ourselves, create crafts, play games, participate in an open mic for music or storytelling, meet new people, learn more about the UU world, or just be yourself. You might get your face painted or your nails done, play kickball, eat some shave ice, or just have a conversation with someone you didn’t know before.
Other intergenerational favorites include nature trips, the Pair-a-Dice game room, Common Ground coffee spot, music events, TWOB (Teen Way Off Broadway), evening workshops, and CACHE (dance for ages 14+). Click here for all Family Friendly Nature Trips!
Bringing children to SUUSI? The Childcare Co-Op Dorm might be for you!
The childcare co‐op dorm allows parents and guardians to supervise other families’ sleeping children so that more folks can enjoy evening activities.
Each adult in your room will sign up for one 2.25‐hour shift of co‐op duty. During your shift, you’ll sit in the hall with a clipboard and cell phone or be a “runner” available to find parents as needed. If young kids wake up, you’ll call their adult. If older kids try to wander the halls, you’ll send them back to bed.
Not on duty? Once your kids are settled, head out to enjoy the night (until 1:15AM (2:15 Friday) when an adult must be in after the co‐op ends)! We’ll call if your child needs you. All participants on duty must be sober and have completed criminal background and National Sex Offender Registry checks, as well as training and a brief meeting. Email for more information.
Youth Program (Ages 0–10)
At SUUSI, our youngest participants are not just cared for — they are celebrated.
The Youth Program is a joyful, nurturing space where children can explore, create, learn, and make friends in a loving Unitarian Universalist community. Whether it’s their first SUUSI or their fifth, children are welcomed with warmth and guided by caring, experienced staff.
Throughout the week, youth will:
- Sing, create art, and try tie-dye
- Play cooperative games
- Spend time outdoors
- Participate in engaging workshops
- Build friendships that often last well beyond SUUSI
We honor children’s curiosity and creativity while grounding everything we do in shared UU values of respect, kindness, and inclusion.
Our experienced Youth Staff — including educators, parents, and camp professionals — prioritize safety, fun, and community. Questions: youth@suusi.org
Click here for an example of the Daily Schedule for Youths 0-10
A Gentle Rhythm to the Day
Mornings (9:00 am–Noon)
Children gather in circle, play games, create art, enjoy music, and spend time outside. Ages 4–10 rotate through art, music, and tie-dye during the week, while our youngest children (0–3) enjoy developmentally appropriate activities in their own classroom space.
Lunch Break (Noon–1:30 pm)
Families reunite for lunch. Staff remain available briefly to help with transitions. With permission, 9–10-year-olds may practice independence through self sign-out/in.
Afternoons (1:30–3:30 pm)
The fun continues with mini-workshops for younger children, splash/play time for toddlers, and workshop choices for ages 6–10 — all included with registration.
End of Day (3:30–3:45 pm)
Parents, guardians, or designated adults sign youth out, reconnecting after a full day.
Special Moments
- Sunday Open House – Meet staff and explore classrooms
- Monday Parent Meeting – Start the week connected and informed
- Baby Dedication (Thursday Worship) – A beautiful celebration of life stages
- Youth Closing Circle (Friday) – Families are invited to celebrate the week’s creativity and growth
Our Youth Staff includes educators, parents, camp counselors, and longtime SUUSI community members. Above all, they are people who care deeply about your children’s safety, joy, and belonging.
We’re honored to spend the week with your little lights.
Middler Program (Ages 11–13)
Being 11–13 is its own unique adventure — not quite a child, not quite a teen. The Middler Program is designed especially for this in-between season.
At SUUSI, Middlers are given space to grow into their independence while still being surrounded by support, structure, and encouragement. We recognize their increasing maturity, creativity, and insight — and we make room for it.
During the week, Middlers:
- Build community as a full group and in age-based groups
- Explore UU identity through reflection, art, games, and conversation
- Spend time outdoors adventuring together
- Participate in workshops and trips (all included — no extra sign-ups)
- Practice leadership, collaboration, and self-determination
We work to create a space where Middlers feel trusted, heard, and valued. Questions: Middlers@suusi.org
Click here to explore the daily schedule for the Middlers (ages 11-13)
Daily Flow
- Morning Programming: 8:45 am–Noon
- Afternoon Programming: 2–4 pm
- Evening Programming: For 13-year-olds (Coming of Age)
With permission, Middlers may sign themselves in and out — a small but meaningful step toward independence. Parents are still asked to connect with staff each morning to help keep communication strong.
Special Events
- Sunday Parent & 13-Year-Old Meeting (5 pm) – A helpful orientation and time for questions
- Middler Dance Party (Wednesday) – Joyful midweek celebration
- Closing Circle (Friday) – Families invited to witness the week’s growth
Our Middler staff balances empowerment with attentive care, helping each youth feel safe enough to stretch and supported enough to thrive.
Teen Program (Ages 14–17)
The SUUSI Teen Program is more than a schedule of activities — it’s an intentional community.
Teens step into a space where they are trusted, challenged, supported, and celebrated. Together with adult staff, they build a vibrant, self-governing community grounded in UU values of respect, responsibility, and compassion.
For many teens, this week becomes one of the most meaningful experiences of their year.
Leadership & Touch Groups
At the heart of the program are Teen Leaders — teens who step forward to help guide the community. They facilitate small “touch groups,” where teens check in daily, share experiences, navigate social dynamics, and support one another.
Touch groups provide connection, accountability, and belonging in a way that feels authentic and peer-centered.
Questions: Teens@suusi.org
Click here to explore Life in the Teen Dorm
The dorm is the hub of teen life — full of music, conversation, worship, games, creativity, and late-night laughter. Teens choose much of their schedule while participating in key shared experiences:
- Afternoon touch group
- Evening teen activity
- 1 am check-in
They are encouraged to explore workshops both within the dorm and across SUUSI.
Evenings might include:
- Teen-led worship (including Bridging for 17-year-olds)
- Teen Coffeehouse
- Cabaret
- Dancing at CACHE
- Simply spending time together
Teens may live in the dorm or stay with parents, depending on readiness and family preference.
Clear Boundaries, Safe Space
With growing freedom comes shared responsibility. Core expectations include:
- In-building curfew (1–6 am)
- In-room curfew (2–6 am)
- No substances or violence
- No sexual contact
These boundaries exist to protect the safety, well-being, and trust of the entire community. The in-room curfew especially supports rest and self-care.
Parents are encouraged to talk with their teens beforehand about expectations, boundaries, and social choices. Staff also support these conversations throughout the week.
For teens navigating challenges around substance use or other concerns, staff are available to partner with families ahead of time to ensure appropriate support.
Young Adults (Ages 18–25)
There’s something special about being a Young Adult at SUUSI.
The Young Adult (YA) Program is a warm, welcoming community for people ages 18–25 — a place where you can show up fully as yourself, build lasting friendships, and help shape the experience. We live together (if you choose to stay in the YA dorm), laugh together, create together, and make the week our own.
The YA program is built with young adults, not just for them. Throughout the year, YAs suggest and plan activities, blending beloved traditions with fresh ideas. Every year feels both familiar and new.
While the YA dorm is our home base, we’re also deeply connected to the larger SUUSI community. You’ll find us:
- Singing at Cabaret
- Participating in workshops and worship
- Celebrating Bridging ceremonies
- Dancing at CACHE and Serendipity
- Showing up wherever community is happening
You don’t have to live in the YA dorm to be part of it — just come join in. The friendships formed here are often the reason people return year after year.
Questions or ideas? We’d love to hear from you: ya@suusi.org
We can’t wait to welcome you.
Medians Ages 21+
Feel like you’re somewhere between Young Adult energy and the broader adult crowd? You’re not alone — and you belong here.
The Median Program is a space for adults 21+ who want to root their SUUSI experience in connection, conversation, and intentional community. It’s a place to form deeper relationships while still enjoying everything SUUSI has to offer.
Medians create a sub-community within SUUSI — gathering for workshops, worship, late-night conversations, games, and shared experiences that often stretch long past bedtime (night owls welcome!).
How to Join
You can be part of the Median community by:
- Choosing Median housing in an adult dorm, or
- Registering for the non-residential Median program option
Everyone who signs up is invited to our Sunday night town hall — a great way to meet one another and help shape the week ahead.
You don’t have to fit a mold to be a Median. If this feels like your people, it probably is.
Questions? medians@suusi.org
Median Events
Adults (21+)
If you’re coming to SUUSI as a single ready to mingle, a married without young children — or if your child-rearing days are long past — you’ll find plenty of company and connection here.
In fact, many SUUSI attendees are adults without children, and a vibrant community of adults and seniors are an essential part of what makes SUUSI feel like home.
Your week can look however you want it to look:
- Dive into workshops on topics that inspire you
- Head out on nature trips
- Join in sports and games
- Attend worship
- Make music (or simply listen)
- Dance late into the night
- Sit and talk with someone new
There’s no single way to “do” SUUSI. Some people fill every hour. Others leave space for porch conversations and spontaneous connection.
However you arrive, and whatever stage of life you’re in — you are welcome here.
Seniors (60+)
While programming for adults welcome all ages, we also have some meet-ups for our Seniors, or our young at heart! Look for the Senior Meal Meetup on dinner Monday and lunchtime Tuesday, as well as our Senior LGBTQ+ Meetup on dinner on Wednesday!
Email DEIA@suusi.org with any questions or suggestions.