Youth Curriculum, 5-4-25

Announcements:

Two of our CSL Olympia teens are going to CSL Summer Teen Camp. If you would like to assist their families with the $575/teen camp tuition plus travel expenses, you can donate to the youth & family fund on our website’s donation page. Thank you for helping to create a life-changing experience for our teens and for the future of our world.

Would you like to contribute your time, talents, or resources to help co-create and support the new CSL garden being started by our youth? Reach out to our Youth Director Adrienne Cherry and let her know how you’d like to be part of this growing vision!

A big thank you to Lia and Neviah for providing childcare during 20th Anniversary Party and thank you to those who donated to the childcare fund with your registration.

Curriculum Overview:

Youth are invited into a transformative exploration of their voices — not just the words they speak, but the power behind them. Through creative expression, mindful communication, and heart-centered action, they will discover how to self-advocate, set meaningful boundaries, resolve conflict with compassion, and speak out for collective liberation.

May Monthly Theme: Empowering the Voice Within
Week 1 Value:  Rooted in Self-Advocacy – Tending the Inner Garden
Affirmation: “I embrace my regenerative power, renewing my potential with each cycle of life.”

Spiritual Lesson:

In this lesson, children discover the power of their voice as a gift from the Divine within. Through mindful practices, creative reflection, and bold action, they practice speaking their truth with confidence, kindness, and clarity, preparing them to advocate for themselves and others.

Mindfulness: “Strong Back, Soft Heart”

Youth participate in a meditation that strengthens the feeling of being grounded and open-hearted, helping children connect confidence with both inner power and compassion. It builds a foundation for authentic self-advocacy that feels strong yet kind.

Active Listening: Book/Music/Video

• Book:  “Say Something” by Peter H. Reynolds
• Music: “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
• Book:  “Thank You, Earth” by April Pulley Sayre (younger class)
• Music: “The Garden Song (Inch by Inch)” by David Mallett (younger class)

Creative Expression: “My Voice Matters” Reflection Cards

Youth find out how creative reflection helps them personalize the lesson by naming something meaningful to them, reinforcing that their voice is important. It empowers them to speak from their heart with authenticity and confidence. We discuss how we can ‘Say Something’ this week by sharing ideas, standing up for a friend, asking questions in class or expressing feelings at home.

Lessons in Action: “Power Pose Relay”

Students split into teams and do a fun relay race where they must run to a line, strike a bold “power pose” (hands on hips, superhero stance, arms up, etc.), shout an empowering word (e.g., “Brave!”, “Strong!”, “Kind!”), feeling what it’s like to embody confidence through their posture, voice, and teamwork, and race back to tag the next person.

Connecting: “Growing Together: A Four-Bed Garden for Service”

Youth continue working together to plan a garden for CSL that will become a community connecting activity and outreach project.