Youth Program

This year (2023) the Youth Program will be meeting ONLY in-person during Annual Session at Western Oregon University. There will be no online portion to the Youth Program during AS.

There will be three separate groups under the "Youth Program Umbrella", the high school aged Junior Friends Program (see the Junior Friends page under "Programs" above for details), the middle school aged Central Friends Program, and the elementary aged and younger Youngest Friends Program. (The Youngest Friends include the Friends who receive additional care in Nursery.)

Central Friends and Youngest Friends will need to be signed into and out of their programs by a guardian or sponsor at the beginning and end of each programed time.

Please note that Western Oregon University has told us that they expect all youth under high school age to be supervised at all times while on campus. Abiding by this expectation is not a reflection of the maturity of each child, but a way for us to be graceful guests while visiting a space that is not our own.

Central Friends

The Central Friends will have their own program, advisors, and space, separate from the Youngest Friends Program. There will be programed time in the mornings, and open (but still supervised) "Free Time" in the afternoons. There will be snacks provided during both the mornings and afternoons. (Please let us know of any dietary restrictions.)

Youngest Friends

The Youngest Friends will have programed time in the mornings, and "Play As Led" time in the afternoons. There will be snacks provided during both the mornings and afternoons. (Please let us know of any dietary restrictions.)

During Play-As-Led, Friends will have options that may include:

All-Ages Interest Groups - (Supervised time spent exploring Quaker topics and concerns with Friends of all ages.)

Outdoor games - Soccer, Hide-and-Seek, Relay Races, etc (all games will be modified for Covid precautions)

Arts and crafts - (NO GLITTER)

Story time - Friends who have volunteered with the Youth Program may be present to read or tell various stories

Quiet/nap time - There will be a "Quiet Quaker Corner" available for Friends who need a space to center or settle.

Free play

Youngest Friends (Nursery)

Friends who have not yet been potty trained will need to be registered with the Nursery. These Friends will receive additional supervision and care.

Please note that due to Covid precautions, NPYM Youth Program Staff is not able to provide diaper changes at this time. If your child requires diaper changes, please contact the Youth Program Coordinator so we can work together to find ways to support your family at AS. (This may include having an adult from the child's household present with the child. Or regular check-ins from a guardian to provide diaper changes, in addition to having an adult from the child's household "on-call" for "unexpected diaper emergencies.")