Youth Curriculum, 10-12-25

Announcements: 

Winter Teen Camp registration is now open! Teens ages 13–18 are invited to join us January 16–19, 2026, in Vernonia, Oregon, for an inspiring and joy-filled weekend of connection, self-discovery, and fun. Register by November 23rd to save $50—the final registration deadline is December 15th.

Through the holidays, teens will also have opportunities to fundraise to help cover camp expenses. Our goal is for every teen who wants to attend to have the chance to experience this transformative weekend. If you’d like to sponsor a teen, you can make a donation on our website under Youth & Family.

October Monthly Theme: Growing Deeper Rising Higher – The Ultimate Glow Up!
Week 2 Value: The Holy Land is Everywhere
Affirmation: “I embrace the holy nature of the Earth.”

Curriculum Overview

This week, youth honor Indigenous Peoples Day by exploring the sacred relationship between humanity and the Earth. Inspired by the wisdom of Chief Seattle, children and teens will reflect on how the Earth provides everything we need to live, grow, and thrive — and how we can give back with gratitude and reverence. Through story, music, mindfulness, creative art, and outdoor connection, they’ll discover that every part of the Earth is holy and that caring for our planet is an act of spiritual love. Each youth will create an Earth Blessing Stone — a painted stone decorated with prayers, symbols, and words of gratitude to place in nature as a gift back to the land.

Spiritual Lesson

The Earth is sacred ground — a living, breathing expression of Spirit. Every tree, rock, and river carries divine intelligence and love. Indigenous wisdom teaches us that when we care for the Earth, we care for ourselves, because we are one with all of creation. As Ernest Holmes reminds us, “The Intelligence in the creative soil of the earth will produce as many for us as we ask.” Just as we tend the soil of our gardens with love, we must also tend the soil of our minds and hearts. Our thoughts, like seeds, grow into the world we experience. When we think, act, and live with reverence, we create a world that reflects beauty, harmony, and abundance.

Mindfulness: “Listening to the Earth”

During this mindfulness experience, youth will take time to quietly connect with the Earth, feeling its steady presence and sacred rhythm. As they sit in stillness, hands resting gently on the ground or holding a smooth stone, they breathe deeply and imagine the heartbeat of the Earth beneath them. With each inhale, they feel the truth that they are one with the planet, and with each exhale, they release gratitude into the world around them. Surrounded by the soft sounds of nature — a breeze, birdsong, or silence — they sense that every part of the Earth is alive with Spirit. Through this quiet moment of awareness, youth awaken to the holiness of the land and their place within it.

Active Listening: Book/Music/Video

• Book (older youth): Excerpt from Chief Seattle’s 1854 speech
• Music (older youth): “Colors of the Wind” by Vanessa Williams (from Pocahontas) or “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson
• Book (younger class): We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
• Music (younger class): “Earth” by Imagination Movers or “The Green Grass Grew All Around” (upbeat folk version)

Creative Expression: Earth Blessing Stones

Youth choose stones from outside or from a shared basket and paint or draw on them symbols, words, or prayers of gratitude for the Earth (hearts, spirals, trees, sun, water, etc.). Once dry, each youth blesses their stone and plans to return it to nature — placing it in a garden, near water, or under a tree — as a gift of love and thanks to the land.

Lessons in Action: Sacred Ground Exploration

Younger Youth:

Take a nature walk around the center grounds. Ask: “What makes this place special or holy to you?” Encourage them to touch a tree, smell flowers, or notice the sounds of birds. Back inside, share one thing they noticed that made them feel peaceful or connected.

Older Youth:

Invite teens to reflect on places that feel sacred — the ocean, a mountain, their backyard, or even their room. In small groups, discuss: “How do I show love for the places that care for me?” Then brainstorm ways to honor the Earth daily — recycling, reducing waste, planting, or creating quiet space for gratitude.

Connecting: Circle of Gratitude for the Earth

Gather youth in a circle, holding their Earth Blessing Stones. Invite each to share one way they can care for or honor the land this week. Close with the affirmation together:

“I embrace the holy nature of the Earth.”