Join the OWL Team
Our Whole Lives (OWL) provides healthy sexuality training for people of all ages on a variety of topics including: communication skills, STIs and birth control, online dating, adoption, fertility issues, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health issues, separation, and much more BUT we need facilitators to do it!
If you're planning to take the OWL Facilitator Training through the CUC during the May 2023 Symposium in Ottawa, or if you're interested in providing accurate, comprehensive education for kids and adults at every age and stage of life, FirstU's OWL Team wants to meet you!
Join us on Monday, April 3rd at 7pm, for an online Q&A. Meet the team, get answers to frequently asked questions, and ask some of your own as well.
Contact owl@firstunitarianottawa.ca to get the zoom link.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) provides healthy sexuality training for people of all ages on a variety of topics including: communication skills, STIs and birth control, online dating, adoption, fertility issues, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health issues, separation, and much more BUT we need facilitators to do it!
If you're planning to take the OWL Facilitator Training through the CUC during the May 2023 Symposium in Ottawa, or if you're interested in providing accurate, comprehensive education for kids and adults at every age and stage of life, FirstU's OWL Team wants to meet you!
Join us on Monday, April 3rd at 7pm, for an online Q&A. Meet the team, get answers to frequently asked questions, and ask some of your own as well.
Contact owl@firstunitarianottawa.ca to get the zoom link.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
We believe that everyone should have access to accurate and comprehensive information about their bodies and how to have healthy relationships with themselves and others, in age/stage appropriate ways. This includes representation from broad ranges of the human experience and an inviting space where individuals can have their questions answered in open and honest ways and learn from one another. For this reason our congregation has been committed to running this program since its beginning and at every level.
OWL is a positive, comprehensive, and age-appropriate educational program that promotes sexual health. It has four primary goals:
-to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information.
-to increase self-esteem and understand relationships with and responsibilities toward others.
-to develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision making, and problem solving.
-to teach responsibility for personal health and safety.
We run our program here at FirstU with spirituality in mind, and often in partnership with the Jewish congregation that shares our building, though anyone who subscribes to the values of the OWL program is welcome to attend our programs and there is a secular version available.
We believe that everyone should have access to accurate and comprehensive information about their bodies and how to have healthy relationships with themselves and others, in age/stage appropriate ways. This includes representation from broad ranges of the human experience and an inviting space where individuals can have their questions answered in open and honest ways and learn from one another. For this reason our congregation has been committed to running this program since its beginning and at every level.
OWL is a positive, comprehensive, and age-appropriate educational program that promotes sexual health. It has four primary goals:
-to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information.
-to increase self-esteem and understand relationships with and responsibilities toward others.
-to develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision making, and problem solving.
-to teach responsibility for personal health and safety.
We run our program here at FirstU with spirituality in mind, and often in partnership with the Jewish congregation that shares our building, though anyone who subscribes to the values of the OWL program is welcome to attend our programs and there is a secular version available.
OWL K1 - For 4-7 Year-Olds
OWL programming for Kindergarteners and Grade Ones (OWL K1) began January 22 as a complement to our Sunday morning curriculum for kids under eight.
What is OWL K1? It's is part of the "Our Whole Lives" sexuality education program offered by Unitarian Universalists. It's an 9-session program for kids age 4-7 that can help you educate your child about bodies, gender, boundaries, families, conception, birth, and babies. You will be actively involved as your child learns through songs, stories, activities, and at-home projects that promote family dialogue.
Starting on January 22, we'll meet on Sunday mornings, on a bi-weekly basis, from 10am-11am.
Over nine sessions, we'll cover age-appropriate topics like:
While registration for OWL K1 2023 is now closed, you can still learn more by clicking the green button, below,
to download the OWL K1 Information Supplement, or emailing us at OWL@firstunitarianottawa.ca with any questions.
OWL programming for Kindergarteners and Grade Ones (OWL K1) began January 22 as a complement to our Sunday morning curriculum for kids under eight.
What is OWL K1? It's is part of the "Our Whole Lives" sexuality education program offered by Unitarian Universalists. It's an 9-session program for kids age 4-7 that can help you educate your child about bodies, gender, boundaries, families, conception, birth, and babies. You will be actively involved as your child learns through songs, stories, activities, and at-home projects that promote family dialogue.
Starting on January 22, we'll meet on Sunday mornings, on a bi-weekly basis, from 10am-11am.
Over nine sessions, we'll cover age-appropriate topics like:
- Learning about our bodies
- Different family configurations
- How babies begin
- Body boundaries
While registration for OWL K1 2023 is now closed, you can still learn more by clicking the green button, below,
to download the OWL K1 Information Supplement, or emailing us at OWL@firstunitarianottawa.ca with any questions.
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For 10 and 11 Year Olds
Our eight-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a HomeLink:
A homework activity for parents and children to complete together. Kids will also enjoy typical "summer camp" activities like art, games, and play. |
For 12 to 14 Year Olds
Our "Junior High" OWL Camp is a comprehensive and progressive sexuality education program that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world. Tweens and young teens will also exercise their creativity and have the opportunity to get active during their summer break.
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OWL at Every Age
Below you'll find short descriptions of what each OWL curriculum involves, from Kindergarten and first grade all that way through to three different Adult Owl programs geared towards different stages of adulthood and aging. K-1st Grade Supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly HomeLink - a homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child. |
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4-6th Grade
Eight-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a HomeLink - a homework activity for parents and children to complete together.
Jr High OWL
OWL for 12-14 year olds is a comprehensive and progressive sexuality education program that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
7-9th Grade
A sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. (New topics include body image, social media/internet, bullying/bystander responsibilities, and consent education.)
10-12th Grade
Using a comprehensive approach, this program helps senior-high youth gain the knowledge, life principles and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. Our program is run on a regional basis as two weekend long "cons" - overnight events at different congregations in the area. There are different workshops offered at each event and a youth will attend 3 weekends to complete their program and "graduate".
Adult OWL
Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. Builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives. These sessions are often run as one off topics or as short series based upon the participants knowledge and interests. This includes Young Adult OWL, Adult OWL, and Older Adult OWL to match different life stages through our journeys.
Eight-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a HomeLink - a homework activity for parents and children to complete together.
Jr High OWL
OWL for 12-14 year olds is a comprehensive and progressive sexuality education program that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
7-9th Grade
A sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. (New topics include body image, social media/internet, bullying/bystander responsibilities, and consent education.)
10-12th Grade
Using a comprehensive approach, this program helps senior-high youth gain the knowledge, life principles and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. Our program is run on a regional basis as two weekend long "cons" - overnight events at different congregations in the area. There are different workshops offered at each event and a youth will attend 3 weekends to complete their program and "graduate".
Adult OWL
Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. Builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives. These sessions are often run as one off topics or as short series based upon the participants knowledge and interests. This includes Young Adult OWL, Adult OWL, and Older Adult OWL to match different life stages through our journeys.
