JUC Programs

JUC Nature's Keepers

What:

An environmental, action-oriented, co-educational club for JUC pre-teens ages 9-12. We will meet twice monthly to engage in nature-based excursions and activities (abbreviated schedule in summertime).

When:

Drop-off meetings (parents not required to attend/remain) will be twice monthly on Sundays, after the 2nd service, unless otherwise arranged. Duration will depend on activity, but generally between 2-4 hours. We will provide a simple sack lunch unless otherwise announced. This club will operate under the same expectations as a scout group, soccer club, or other “team-like” experience. We expect that kids attend most meetings, and that parents commit to getting them there throughout the academic year. In order for this to be an effective community-building club, we need to have kids attending consistently and regularly. Of course, we realize that there will be times when kids cannot attend due to family obligations, trips, etc., but we do ask that parents notify an Advisor if they are unable to attend.

Purpose/Goals:

1. To develop a strong sense of community and friendships for pre-teens at JUC. We want to keep our upper-elementary-aged kids engaged and active at JUC by giving them not only an opportunity to form and deepen friendships, but also to give them a goal and purpose for attending. Every meeting will provide opportunity for interaction, team-work, and reflection. Every meeting will be action-oriented, so we won’t be just sitting around and talking, we will be “doing”—having fun, learning about the world around us, and taking action to make the world a better place in which to live.
2. To reconnect with the natural world. We believe that there is a deepening disconnect between kids and the natural world. As more and more activities become structured and regulated, kids are spending less and less time in nature. We want to reconnect our kids to our local environment by teaching them skills they need to participate in it, giving them opportunities to try activities their families may not do, and to show them how humans can impact it positively and negatively.
3. To provide a scout-like experience with a UU slant at JUC. With regular meetings, leadership and skill patches, and a real “uniform” (a khaki-colored fishing vest & sun hat with the Nature’s Keepers logo) these kids will be a group making a real difference in the world while putting their unique spiritual principals into action. We see this club as a vital bridge between the lessons in the YRE curriculum and the established programs at JUC for middle and high school students (OWL, COA, the 9th grade trip, and YRUU).

Who:

Membership will encompass all JUC members and friends ages 9-12. Kids may begin to participate as soon as they turn 9, and may participate through the summer of the year they turn 12 (for example, if they turn 12 in January, they may participate until August of that year). Parents are required to volunteer in various capacities at least 3 times per year, but are not required to attend each meeting/activity. We will also tap into the vast well of expertise in the greater JUC community.

Non-JUC guests are welcome to attend up to 2 meetings before committing to join; however, guests may not participate in overnight activities, and will require special parental permission to join off-site activities. JUC pre-teens may join at anytime during the school year upon payment of the materials fee, and with verbal notification to an advisor.

How:

This group will operate under the CURK umbrella, and will replace the inactive “PT Cruisers” pre-teen group. There is a one-time $35.00 “Materials Fee” that will help pay for the uniform and a journal for each participant. The CURK budget will subsidize the cost of lunch, snacks, transportation, entrance fees, materials, etc. If ability to pay the materials fee is a barrior to participating, scholarships will be available confidentially by contacting DRE Ashley Johnson.

Structure:

2 Advisors — responsible for overall activities of club; will set schedule of events and plan activities for the year. One Advisor will attend each meeting, and will be responsible for scheduling substitute advisor if unable to attend a meeting. Advisors will serve a 2 year, extendable term.
Secretary — will be responsible for keeping track of attendance, patch/pin distribution, eligibility (including Welcoming Ceremonies for new members, and end-of-year Graduation Ceremonies for older members).
Treasurer — responsible for collection of membership fees, keeping track of funds, and reimbursements (through CURK co-chairs).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Co-Advisors
Julia Wilson (julia1808@msn.com; 303-278-1808) or Sandra Fisher (sandfish97@yahoo.com, 303-279-7520).