Junior Gathering

Acorns is our group of youngest Friends, including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Infants spend the morning as they would at home. Our experienced staff support each child’s needs of feeding, diapering, napping, comfort and care. Older Acorns spend the mornings in a variety of spirited outdoor activities, including water play, ball play and tricycle (car, fire engine!) riding. They will sing songs, hear stories and make beautiful crafts. In the evenings, Acorns participate in all-Gathering worship with their families and then join together with older groups for relaxed outdoor play. Parents may also choose to have an earlier bedtime or keep their little ones with them during the evening. Acorns are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Please indicate special needs, including nap times, on the parental release form.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Sprouts is our early elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Sprouts participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Saplings is our middle elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Saplings participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Pine Trees is the older elementary group. Pine Trees spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Pine Trees participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Oaks are the oldest Junior Gathering participants, typically those who have completed at least one year of middle school (rising 7th-9th grades). Oaks is a time to explore leadings, discover more independence and create a Quaker community with Friends from across the continent. Every year, Oaks Co-Coordinators develop a dynamic program for morning and evening sessions that may include worship, workshops, games, check-ins, discussion, and recreational activity choices. Some activities may be tied to the Gathering theme, and include explorations of identity, spirituality, and Quaker faith and practice.

Outside of Junior Gathering, youth and parents begin practice setting boundaries as youth build independence and trust. Oaks can sign themselves in and out of the program (with parent/sponsor permission). We encourage families to check-in regularly, preferably several times a day. It’s important to stay in touch throughout the day, so we strongly suggest meeting up:

• at meals
• during the afternoon
• during the evening, right after program time

Parents and sponsors, we remind you that you are in charge of setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries during the mornings before program time, all afternoon, and evenings after 9 pm. The dynamic community we look forward to creating every year comes together best when parents/sponsors, Oak participants, and staff work together to ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.