WHAT IS COMING OF AGE?

The Coming of Age (COA) Program is about learning, sharing, growing and bonding with other Unitarian Universalist youth from various Long Island congregations. The purpose of the program is to acquaint the participants with a unified understanding of Unitarian Universalism, explore their developing personal religious philosophies, examine and discuss adolescent issues and to foster the development of open communication among the youth and between the youth and their families.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

The COA Program is for Unitarian Universalist youth whose parents are members or friends in good standing of any LIAC affiliated UU congregation.

It is recommended that youth have taken the OWL course on the junior high level prior to taking COA.

It is understood that youth and their parents commit to attending all program sessions.

While any Long Island Unitarian Universalist youth in 7th, 8th or 9th grade is eligible; due to class size restrictions older youth will be given first preference. Participants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by Dec 30.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

$450.00 Includes all material and meals except for some of the meals on the Boston trip. $225.00 is payable January 6, with balance due on March 15. Full payment is also accepted at Orientation.

WHEN IS IT?

Orientation - January 6 2:00-6:00
This mandatory informational meeting of the participants, parent(s)/guardian(s) and mentors allows the program leaders to present the program in detail.

Program Weekends - 1/19, 2/9-10, 3/15-16, 4/12-13
These are conducted at various Unitarian Universalism congregations on Long Island. The first meeting is a Saturday only meeting; it is not an over-night. There will be three Saturday to Sunday (sleep over) sessions.

The Boston Trip- May 15-18
This is a special visit to the Unitarian Universalist Association headquarters and other famous UU historical sites. It begins on Thursday afternoon (after school) and ends on Sunday evening. Youth are transported by 15 passenger vans and sleep in a UU church.

Recognition Service – Saturday June14
A special worship service is conducted at the Stony Brook Fellowship that is open to all members of LIAC congregations. It is held to celebrate the completion of the program by the COA participants and to recognize their mentors. Family members may wish to invite friends and extended family to this one event to celebrate completion of COA.

Individual Required Projects
Each participant must complete nine required projects. All of the projects are listed in the handbook that you will receive after the initial meeting. Participants are also required to read the accompanying curriculum “The Story of Religion” in its entirety, approximately 80 pages assigned in 25-30 page increments.

There are many projects to choose from; for example youth can design a perfect Unitarian Universalist society, write a sermon, or create a questionnaire to poll your society’s opinions. Youth can even design their own project with the help of their mentor. Working with a mentor provides a special opportunity to get to know an adult outside of their family.

Registration Prerequisites

• Youth must be currently attending religious education classes or worship programs and have shown the maturity necessary for the Coming of Age program.

• The parent(s) or guardian(s) is (are) members or friends in good standing within your congregation.

• A mentor is agreed upon by youth (participant), parent(s) or guardian(s) and the DRE or RE representative of your society.

WHAT IS A MENTOR?

The mentor is an adult from the youth’s congregation chosen with the help of the youth’s parents and Religious educator. One of the major points of the Mentor-Youth relationship in the COA program is for the youth to experience a relationship with an adult, outside their family, family friends, their friend’s parents, their neighbors, their sports coach, their school teacher, etc.

Professional staff; i.e. a minister or DRE are NOT eligible to be mentors. It is also strongly recommended that the mentor NOT have a youth in the program at the same time that they serve as mentor.

The mentor should be a Unitarian Universalist, and a role model for the youth. Potential mentors will be required to sign an ethics form stating that they have not been convicted of any crime against a minor. This person should be someone who is easily accessible and is able to meet with the youth to complete projects. The mentor is required to attend the Recognition Service in June.

Youth are expected to arrange for meetings with their mentor, and to work together to select projects and schedule time for meetings. It is recommended that meetings between youth and mentor not be by telephone or e-mail, as this would be devoid of the meaningfulness provided by face-to-face contact.

The mentor must "sign off" on the projects, and therefore the projects should reflect a standard of quality that is agreed upon by the mentor and the participant. Each month, there will be directions that include working with the mentor. In some cases, the mentor may want to challenge the youth, to elicit more "depth" in some of the projects.

Consideration should be taken for any limitations of the youth but we are looking for their best efforts.

Mentors do not attend the program weekends or take part in the Boston trip.

At the June 14th Recognition Service, special recognition will also be made of mentors. The June 14th date for that event should be taken into consideration when choosing a mentor as mentors are expected to attend.

Basic Rules

Violation of any of these rules will result in immediate expulsion from the program.
1. Possession of a controlled or illegal substance (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, dangerous
chemicals).
2. Possession of a weapon (ritual or otherwise).
3. Physical, verbal or sexual abuse or harassment including sexual behavior.
4. Any action that endangers the welfare of others or yourself.
5. Intentional destruction or damage to the property of others or any host UU congregation.

NOTE: If expelled from the program there is no refund of the program fee.

IMPORTANT DATES to REMEMBER:

o December 20: Application deadline
o Jan. 6: Initial Meeting for Parents, Youth and Mentors
o Saturday meeting January 19
o Program Weekends- Check-in Saturday 12:30pm, pickup Sunday 12:30pm
o February 9-10
o March 15-16
o April 12-13
o May 15-18 Boston Trip
o June 14 Recognition Service