Youth (0-10)
SUUSI Youth enjoy age-appropriate activities in a Unitarian Universalist environment. Our shared UU Values will help us to grow our faith and our connections to each other.
Please see this important information for all parents of Youth and Middlers on expectations for children and parents at SUUSI.
A Day in the Youth Program
Morning Check-In 8:45-9 am
A parent/guardian must sign in their youth each morning. Please bring your child on time each day so they do not miss out on any of the fun. Please check with the age group leader to ensure your child has everything they will need for the day. Make sure to check text reminders each day.
Morning Programs: 9 am-Noon
Each morning, children will participate in the opening circle, play cooperative games, make crafts, and enjoy outdoor time. Children between 4 and 10 will go to art, music, and tie-dye during the week. Music and art will come to the 0-3 year-olds classroom.
Lunch: Noon-2 pm
Children’s programming ends at noon for a two-hour lunch break. You may pick up your child and accompany them to lunch in the dining hall if you like. Youth Staff will stay in the classrooms until 12:15 to allow parents time to get to the Youth building from their morning workshops.
With permission, children aged 9-10 may sign themselves out at noon for lunch and sign themselves back in at 2 pm. It is understood that these children will go immediately to meet their parent/guardian and must be properly supervised at all times outside of programming hours. Self-checkout is a privilege that can be taken away.
Afternoon Check-In 1:45-2 pm
If your child left the Youth building to have lunch at the dining hall, a parent/guardian, responsible adult, or older sibling must sign them back between 1:45 and 2 pm. 9 and 10-year-olds with self-checkout privileges may sign themselves in.
The afternoons are filled with various activities, including special mini-workshops for our 4 and 5-year-olds and splash time or playtime for the 0-3 year-olds.
Youths between the ages of 6 and 10 have various workshops to choose from each day. These are listed in the catalog. Be sure to sign up when you register. There are no additional fees for youth workshops. Please note that some workshops may have early start times and/or alternate drop-off locations.
Afternoon Check-Out 4-4:15 pm
Youth programming ends at 4 pm daily, and a parent/guardian, sibling, or responsible adult must check out all youth from programming each afternoon. Staff will stay until 4:15 pm to give parents time to get to the youth building from their workshops. If you need to be later than that, please let us know beforehand so we can have you meet your child in the Youth office.
Our Youth Staff
We have so much gratitude for our Youth Staff! We have staffers who return year after year and we have new staffers who grew up in the Youth Program and are now old enough to give back. Our staff have a wide range of experience, including teachers, religious educators, social workers, parents, camp counselors, etc.
We are all focused on ensuring the safety and fun of every participant. We encourage you to get to know our incredible Youth Staff members.
Please take a moment to thank them for volunteering to work with your children for the week! If you have any questions or comments or are interested in volunteering with Youth Staff, please contact the Youth Director, Charlotte Quandt, at youth@suusi.org.
Once you’ve arrived
Make sure to stop at the Youth Table at check-in on Sunday. We will have information about the week ahead. We will give you your children’s nametags and meal bands (our youngest children do not get swipe cards; they enter the dining hall with wrist or ankle bands). You will also want to sign up for the Youth-specific text reminders.
Meet your staff at our open house on Sunday from 3- 4 pm. All are welcome to drop by the Youth program building to visit the classrooms and meet the SUUSI Youth Staff.
A mandatory parent meeting will be held on Monday morning from 9-9:30 am. One or more parents/guardians must represent each youth.
Special Events of Note
Baby Dedication – Thursday pm – The Thursday evening worship will focus on honoring life's various stages, including dedicating children. If you want your child to be included in the baby dedication, please contact nurture@suusi.org.
Youth Closing Circle – Friday 3:30 pm – Parents, other family members, and friends are invited to watch the children’s end-of-week performances. The closing circle will occur at the youth program building, inside or outside, depending on the weather.
Afternoon Workshops & Trips for 6-10 Year-Olds
Youth ages 6-10 will sign up during online registration for one afternoon workshop each day Monday-Thursday. Detailed information can be found below and will also be available in Solis when you are registering.
Please make note of workshop age ranges, required items to bring, and those that require early drop-off or late pick-up.
- Coop Parent MeetingUnlimited
information sharing for those registered and housed in the coop dorm
- Youth Parent Mandatory MeetingUnlimited
At least one parent or guardian of Youth participating in SUUSI Youth programming must attend this meeting when dropping their Youth off the first day of SUUSI youth programming.
- Youth Dance PartyUnlimited
Dance Party for Youth attendees ages 3-10
- Tye DyeLimit 15
This workshop is an extra opportunity to make tie-dye creations. Beginners are welcome. You may bring three (3) 100% cotton items to dye; you will go home with directions for washing them. Be creative: try underwear, shorts, socks, etc., but no towels or sheets as they take up too much dye. Once we’re finished with the dye, we’ll learn how to tie special knots (square, slip, half, and more).
- 1: SlimeLimit 10
Create, Color, and transform your Slime creations. Share recipes and ingredient ideas! An afternoon of slime and science!
- 10: Tye DyeLimit 15
This workshop is an extra opportunity to make tie-dye creations. Beginners are welcome. You may bring three (3) 100% cotton items to dye; you will go home with directions for washing them. Be creative: try underwear, shorts, socks, etc., but no towels or sheets as they take up too much dye. Once we’re finished with the dye, we’ll learn how to tie special knots (square, slip, half, and more)
- 11: Magic Around Us!Limit 10
There is magic in the world around us! Plants grow, watered by the sky and wind helps move seeds so that more plants will grow. As time has changed, we call this magic science. Let's explore the magic of the world around us! Spend the afternoon conducting experiments and exploring the magic of the world around us. This workshop will be inside and outside.
- 13: Outdoor Water GamesLimit 12
Head outside to enjoy some fun in the kiddie pools, or play water games using hoses, sprinklers, slip-n-slides, sponge balls, and other outdoor toys. You will get wet! Be sure to come wearing secure footwear that can get wet, a bathing suit, and plenty of sunscreen. Bring sunscreen, a water bottle, a dry towel, a plastic bag, & a change of clothes. We will be creating art after we dry off!
- 2: Hair and Body ArtLimit 12
Use your own hair and body as a canvas to create your very own designs. We will use all sorts of styles of creating art, for example: face and body paint, body glitter, nail polish,temporary hair color and more! You can also make friendship bracelets to take home or give to friends!
- 3: Outdoor Water GamesLimit 12
Head outside to enjoy some fun in the kiddie pools, or play water games using hoses, sprinklers, slip-n-slides, sponge balls, and other outdoor toys. You will get wet! Be sure to come wearing secure footwear that can get wet, a bathing suit, and plenty of sunscreen. Bring sunscreen, a water bottle, a dry towel, a plastic bag, & a change of clothes. We will be creating art after we dry off!
- 4: SlimeLimit 10
Create, Color, and transform your Slime creations. Share recipes and ingredient ideas! An afternoon of slime and science!
- 5: Outdoor Water GamesLimit 12
Head outside to enjoy some fun in the kiddie pools, or play water games using hoses, sprinklers, slip-n-slides, sponge balls, and other outdoor toys. Sponge relays, splash games, and obstacle courses. You will get wet! Be sure to come wearing secure footwear that can get wet, a bathing suit, and plenty of sunscreen. Bring sunscreen, a water bottle, a dry towel, a plastic bag, & a change of clothes.
- 6: Tie DyeLimit 12
This workshop is an extra opportunity to make tie-dye creations. Beginners are welcome. You may bring three (3) 100% cotton items to dye; you will go home with directions for washing them. Be creative: try underwear, shorts, socks, etc., but no towels or sheets as they take up too much dye. Once we’re finished with the dye, we’ll learn how to tie special knots (square, slip, half, and more).
- 7: Magic Around Us!Limit 10
There is magic in the world around us! Plants grow, watered by the sky and wind helps move seeds so that more plants will grow. As time has changed, we call this magic science. Let's explore the magic of the world around us! Spend the afternoon conducting experiments and exploring the magic of the world around us. This workshop will be inside and outside.
- 8: Hair and Body ArtLimit 12
Use your own hair and body as a canvas to create your very own designs. We will use all sorts of styles of creating art, for example: face and body paint, body glitter, nail polish,temporary hair color and more! You can also make friendship bracelets to take home or give to friends!
- 9: SlimeLimit 10
Create, Color, and transform your Slime creations. Share recipes and ingredient ideas! An afternoon of slime and science!