Youth Curriculum, 5-26-24
Announcements:
We’re thrilled to announce that our returning teens Ray and Dustin are making plans to attend their first CSL Teen Camp this Summer! Guided by the leadership of our CSL Olympia advisor, Ocean, they are on their way to an unforgettable and life-changing experience.
You can support these returning CSL Olympia teens in embracing empowering transformative experiences in a nurturing environment. Visit our website’s donation page to contribute towards their $595/person cost. Let’s empower and uplift our youth together!
Our next INSPIRE Life-Skills Workshop is this evening at 5 p.m.! Teens ages 13-18 will explore “The Art of Budgeting & Financial Responsibility.” Learn crucial money management skills and craft your own financial plan. It’s not too late to register and bring a friend to share the empowerment! Topics include budgeting, car ownership costs, compound interest, and the importance of credit scores. See you there!
Curriculum Overview:
Youth will delve into the concept of vision. They’ll participate in collaborative storytelling, empathy role-plays, and community vision walks. Through guided meditation and discussions, they’ll reflect on empathy, active listening, and collective action to help cultivate their dreams and empower them to create positive change.
May Monthly Theme: Good to Great to Grand
Week 4 Value: The Power of Vision
Affirmation: I choose to act according to my values, making my life better and spreading goodness to others.
Spiritual Lesson:
Youth will explore the power of vision through activities, discussions, and meditation. They’ll articulate dreams, cultivate empathy, and take inspired action for positive change in themselves and their communities.
Meditation Practice: Vision Meditation
Youth visualize their ideal world and envision their role in positive change. They align personal visions with collective betterment, feeling inspired for action. They go outside for a guided walk, identifying aspects of the community that align with their visions for a better world.
Active Listening: Book/Music/Video
Book: For Younger Youth (ages 6-9): “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin – This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the potential and uniqueness of every child.
Book: For Older Youth (ages 10-12): “Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper – This compelling novel follows the story of Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy who has a brilliant mind but struggles to communicate. Through Melody’s journey, readers explore themes of perseverance, determination, and the power of inner vision.
Music: “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper – This heartfelt ballad celebrates authenticity and encourages listeners to embrace their true selves.
Music: “Beautiful Day” by U2 – This optimistic and uplifting song celebrates the beauty of life and encourages listeners to appreciate the present moment.
Creative Expression: Role-Playing Empathy
Youth are paired up and assigned a scenario in which one child expresses their authentic self while the other practices active listening and empathy. Scenarios could include sharing a personal accomplishment, expressing a fear or concern, or discussing a passion. After the role-play, we have a group discussion about the importance of creating safe spaces for authentic expression and active listening.
Connecting: Collaborative Storytelling
Youth receive a starting sentence or theme for a story related to the power of vision. Each pair takes turns adding a sentence or paragraph to the story, building upon the ideas of their peers. After a set amount of time, each group can share their collaborative story with the rest of the class, fostering creativity, teamwork, and imagination.