Youth Curriculum, 10-25-26
Youth Announcements:
CSL Winter Teen Camp Registration Is Open! Teens ages 12.5–18, sign up by December 15! Visit cslolympia.org under Youth & Family → Teen Camp to learn more and register.
October Monthly Theme: Dancing with the Shadow
October Week 4 — Shadow Dance Battle
Value: Courageous Action
Affirmation: My choices can make a positive difference.
Curriculum Overview:
Youth explore how courage means more than being brave in big moments—it can also mean speaking up, offering support, asking for help, or taking a small step when they notice something unfair or unkind. Through collaborative problem-solving, role-play, and creative expression, youth will practice choosing peaceful, thoughtful responses to everyday challenges at home, school, and in their communities. The Change-Makers Challenge encourages them to recognize their ability to contribute to positive change.
Spiritual Lesson:
We each have the ability to make a difference through our choices. Youth discover that courageous action doesn’t always mean confronting a problem directly—it can mean offering support, seeking help from a trusted adult, or finding a peaceful way to make things better.
Meditation Practice: The Courage to Make a Difference
Youth imagine a warm inner light that helps them respond to challenging situations with courage and compassion. They visualize one safe, thoughtful action they can take to make a positive difference.
Active Listening: Book/Music/Video
Book: Younger Youth (ages 4–7): The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade — Justin Roberts
Video: Younger Youth (ages 4–7): Becoming an Upstander — Sesame Workshop
Book: Older Youth (ages 8–12): The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others — Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
Video: Older Youth (ages 8–12): The Playground Is for Everyone — StopBullying.gov
Music: Get Up, Stand Up — Bob Marley and The Wailers
Teen Video: The Danger of Silence — Clint Smith, TED
Teen Discussion: The Courage to Speak Up
Teens explore why people sometimes remain silent when they witness unfairness and how to respond with courage while considering safety, relationships, and personal boundaries. They discuss the difference between supporting someone and escalating a situation, and identify ways to make a difference through listening, speaking up, seeking trusted support, or working together for change.
Creative Expression: Change-Makers Challenge
Youth work in small groups to explore fictional situations involving unfairness or unkindness at school, home, or in the community. They identify who is affected, brainstorm peaceful and thoughtful responses, and act out ways to help create positive change.
Connecting: Small Choices, Real Change
Youth identify one small, safe action they can take to make their home, school, or community more welcoming, caring, and fair.