Children and Youth Program

[kllindley]

Just got back from the broadcast introducing the new Children and Youth Program starting in January. I was very impressed and feel excited about the impact it will have in increasing faith in Jesus Christ in our family. 

Childrenandyouth.churchofjesuschrist.org

What are your thoughts?

Edited September 29, 2019 by kllindley

[bsjkki]

Nice video. It should be a nice change. This is going to save a ton of money because we are no longer with BSA. The primary aged program will be more uniform with boys and  girls meeting twice a month. This is a good change. Boys and girls can even meet together if it works best in an area.

*It was a little long and I didn’t need to be ‘sold’ on the change. Just tell me what I need to do. 

Edited September 29, 2019 by bsjkki

[Robert F. Smith]

5 minutes ago, bsjkki said:

....................This is going to save a ton of money because we are no longer with BSA.

The LDS Church has already invested large sums in building wonderful summer camp facilities -- which are not owned by BSA.  If that is expanded worldwide, it will in fact cost some money.

5 minutes ago, bsjkki said:

The primary aged program will be more uniform with boys and  girls meeting twice a month. This is a good change. Boys and girls can even meet together if it works best in an area.

I thought I heard the leaders say that cub scout, primary age children would meet in gender separate groups.  But, I also heard them say that the whole Youth & Child Program was adaptable worldwide, based on local and individual needs.  Looking forward to finding out more in Nov.

[rchorse]

I think the new program is wonderful. During the video, I just kept thinking about a few Young Men that we might have been able to keep with us had we been freed from the constraints of the Scouting program. Maybe they still would have left, but maybe not.

It's really great that everything can be tailored to the needs of the youth. The youth were supposed to be planning things before, too, but I think the new program will facilitate it much better than in the past.

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, kllindley said:

.........................

Childrenandyouth.churchofjesuschrist.org 

What are your thoughts?

The leaders said that the new Youth & Child Program would include weekly meetings (Wednesdays?), exciting high adventure, and FSY Conferences every other year (for those 14+).

They want to cover the Spiritual, Social, Physical, and Intellectual needs of the youth through the combined efforts of home, church, and seminary.  This they wish to accomplish via Gospel Learning, Service & Activities, and Personal Development, and they gave examples of each.  What I would like to know is, how will all that be formally structured, if at all?  Perhaps that is what we will get at the end of November.

The booklet cites Luke 2:52, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  As an example for our youth.  However, the world of young Jesus had structure.  Where can we find the necessary structure to make a full, workable program?  Stay tuned.

Edited September 29, 2019 by Robert F. Smith

[bsjkki]

49 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The LDS Church has already invested large sums in building wonderful summer camp facilities -- which are not owned by BSA.  If that is expanded worldwide, it will in fact cost some money.

I thought I heard the leaders say that cub scout, primary age children would meet in gender separate groups.  But, I also heard them say that the whole Youth & Child Program was adaptable worldwide, based on local and individual needs.  Looking forward to finding out more in Nov.

I don’t have a transcript but I thought it was ‘in most cases.’ I think they left room for smaller areas to combine those age groups in one group. 

[CV75]

1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The LDS Church has already invested large sums in building wonderful summer camp facilities -- which are not owned by BSA.  If that is expanded worldwide, it will in fact cost some money.

I thought I heard the leaders say that cub scout, primary age children would meet in gender separate groups.  But, I also heard them say that the whole Youth & Child Program was adaptable worldwide, based on local and individual needs.  Looking forward to finding out more in Nov.

I recall some indication that globally, things would be done according to local resources, circumstances, etc. I'm not sure a summer camp fits in all cultures or traditions. And some may repent of costly traditions!  Let's see (and let's give it a few decades!) where the youth decide to take this -- given how far the parents allow them -- in what they see as necessary for  becoming like Christ; I think we might be surprised!

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The leaders said that the new Youth & Child Program would include weekly meetings (Wednesdays?), exciting high adventure, and FSY Conferences every other year (for those 14+).

They want to cover the Spiritual, Social, Physical, and Intellectual needs of the youth through the combined efforts of home, church, and seminary.  This they wish to accomplish via Gospel Learning, Service & Activities, and Personal Development, and they gave examples of each.  What I would like to know is, how will all that be formally structured, if at all?  Perhaps that is what we will get at the end of November.

The booklet cites Luke 2:52, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  As an example for our youth.  However, the world of young Jesus had structure.  Where can we find the necessary structure to make a full, workable program?  Stay tuned.

I do not think there is going to be much more structure. The idea is the youth should build the program.

[cinepro]

I thought it was great.

[Robert F. Smith]

20 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I thought it was great.

You mean to say that this is all just warmed over Stephen Covey?

Physical:	Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting
Social/Emotional:	Making social and meaningful connections with others
Mental:	Learning, reading, writing, and teaching
Spiritual:	Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, prayer, or service

I do like the "spending time in nature" part.

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

I recall some indication that globally, things would be done according to local resources, circumstances, etc. I'm not sure a summer camp fits in all cultures or traditions. And some may repent of costly traditions!  Let's see (and let's give it a few decades!) where the youth decide to take this -- given how far the parents allow them -- in what they see as necessary for  becoming like Christ; I think we might be surprised!

During the video presentation earlier today, I did notice a couple of clips from youth reenacting the Trek.  Is that a nudge?  I've heard youth say some wonderful things about that experience.

[InCognitus]

19 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

44 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I thought it was great.

You mean to say that this is all just warmed over Stephen Covey?

Physical:	Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting
Social/Emotional:	Making social and meaningful connections with others
Mental:	Learning, reading, writing, and teaching
Spiritual:	Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, prayer, or service

I do like the "spending time in nature" part.

Who is to say that Stephen Covey is original? 

I love how the video based these four areas on Luke 2:52  (I think that's the right verse they used):  "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."   

 

Edited September 29, 2019 by InCognitus

[pogi]

1 hour ago, cinepro said:

I thought it was great.

The principles Holism are way older than Covey

[Robert F. Smith]

57 minutes ago, pogi said:

The principles Holism are way older than Covey

Wow.  The Vedas.   We really are a world church.  Does that mean that Covey was a secret convert to Hinduism?  Or is that part of Joseph's belief that the Gospel subsumes all truth?

[CV75]

1 hour ago, Robert F. Smith said:

During the video presentation earlier today, I did notice a couple of clips from youth reenacting the Trek.  Is that a nudge?  I've heard youth say some wonderful things about that experience.

Maybe, I have seen great spiritual benefits from it. I don't recall it necessarily being costly, and well-balanced guidelines have been improved over time. Safety is now at a higher premium (pun unintended) than when my children did this some 20 years ago.

[rockpond]

Whether it’s Covey, Holism, Luke 2, or just what my dad happened to be doing with me 40 years ago, I am still excited. 

Here’s what I love about it and/or am impressed with:

1.  An organized roll-out unlike any that I’ve seen in the church.  

2.  A program that will scale well and cross cultural boundaries easily.

3.  More home-centered, church supported with opportunities for leaders and ministers at every level to jump in and assist. 

4. Driving the youth to pray, set their own goals, seek personal revelation, and a system of follow up on goals to make sure they happen (or at least I’m hopeful of that last part, it wasn’t really detailed in the presentation).

 

[Prof]

I think the program has a lot of potential. I am a bit concerned that in my ward, the young men don't want to do much. We've given them the opportunity to plan events, but they really haven't done so. I hope that changes.

Growing up, mutual night was pretty much just basketball. I fear that might be where things are headed here.

Oh, and that was a good looking cake!

[bsjkki]

34 minutes ago, Prof said:

I think the program has a lot of potential. I am a bit concerned that in my ward, the young men don't want to do much. We've given them the opportunity to plan events, but they really haven't done so. I hope that changes.

Growing up, mutual night was pretty much just basketball. I fear that might be where things are headed here.

Oh, and that was a good looking cake!

My spouse also had concerns about a lack of structure. Me too. Flexibility is fine but, if there is too little structure, basketball happens. 🤣 For girls, the equivalent is ‘spa night.’

[Hamba Tuhan]

51 minutes ago, Prof said:

We've given them the opportunity to plan events, but they really haven't done so.

What worked for us was giving them the opportunity to not just plan events but actually exercise priesthood keys through revelation. Activities then become just one of the areas where they can do that.

[rpn]

I don't know that it will save a lot of money.   The church is funding the biannual FSY week long programs at colleges including transportation when it is not close to home (parents and local congregations will be asked to pay $75/youth.   Headquarters will also provide the chaperones.

And YM AND YW will be going on High Adventures, as well as overnight camping. 

I did find myself wondering if bishops would look for the parents of youth of that age to be the leaders, as they will also be the ones helping the youth with the programs.

[MustardSeed]

I think it sounds great, though for us, not terribly different really from what we are already doing as far as structure. Adding the fsy sounds great. I love that not just the wealthier families can participate in the large program. 

The 8-11 year old girl program looks to be the same too.  Activity days 2x monthly. 

I hope and pray we don’t do trek. That’s just not my deal.  Or I should say, I need to be sick that week so that others can participate in that wonderful program. 

Erased likely rude comment about plastic surgery. 

 

Edited September 30, 2019 by MustardSeed

[Rain]

6 hours ago, Prof said:

I think the program has a lot of potential. I am a bit concerned that in my ward, the young men don't want to do much. We've given them the opportunity to plan events, but they really haven't done so. I hope that changes.

Growing up, mutual night was pretty much just basketball. I fear that might be where things are headed here.

Oh, and that was a good looking cake!

I think the difference is there are clear, simple focus points. Spiritual, social, physical, intellectual verses having long lists of fairly specific things to do. This leads it to a whole new world of possibilities which will start to excite them if their leaders will keep their trust.

Hamba talks about when he first got in YM and how he did things by the handbook in taking on an advisory roll (young men president) for the youth leaders (deacon's quorem president). It took time for the spark to finally ignite in that young man, but I suspect the young man finally trusted that Hamba wasn't going to take over his job and he was able to get a clear picture that it was he, the DQP, that carried the responsibility.

So with the 4 things and a trusted advisor laying a simple, but great foundation I think you will start seeing some changes in the youth.

[gopher]

15 hours ago, bsjkki said:

The primary aged program will be more uniform with boys and  girls meeting twice a month.

"Primary activities are generally held two to four times per month, where practical".  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/where-do-we-start-as-leaders

Looks like there's some flexibility if you want to meet every week for activity days.

[bsjkki]

3 hours ago, gopher said:

"Primary activities are generally held two to four times per month, where practical".  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/where-do-we-start-as-leaders

Looks like there's some flexibility if you want to meet every week for activity days.

My stake has already determined we will meet weekly for youth activities and twice a month for primary. activities. The program is designed to be very flexible for local adaptations.

[bluebell]

11 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

I think it sounds great, though for us, not terribly different really from what we are already doing as far as structure. Adding the fsy sounds great. I love that not just the wealthier families can participate in the large program. 

The 8-11 year old girl program looks to be the same too.  Activity days 2x monthly. 

I hope and pray we don’t do trek. That’s just not my deal.  Or I should say, I need to be sick that week so that others can participate in that wonderful program. 

Erased likely rude comment about plastic surgery. 

 

If your stake usually does trek then you will probably continue since the new program specifically mentioned that it was an appropriate youth activity.  I was really hoping to get out of it for 2020 but alas, it was not to be so.  We already know the date....