Youth Programs

Our Youth Programs are open to both Society Member families and non-Member families.

Visiting and prospective families are welcome to join us any Sunday to check us out! Parents may stay with visiting children or attend our Platform program.

The Ethical Society aims to make our programs accessible to all. We will work to accommodate your unique family needs due to financial barriers, custody arrangements, or other situations. Please contact our Youth Education Director, Megan McCarthy, mmccarthy@ethicalstl.org, for more details on how we can help.

What We Offer

Infants to Pre-Kindergarten

Complimentary childcare for children 5 and under is available each Sunday morning (year-round) for all families so parents may attend our Forum and Platform programs.

During that time, children will be supervised by experienced caregivers (vetted and infant/child CPR-trained), who will engage them in age-appropriate play, stories, songs, and activities. A snack is provided for toddlers and preschoolers. Childcare takes place in our Nursery School, located in the east wing of the upper level.

Elementary – Growing Ethics

Sunday Ethical Education for Kids (SEEK)

During the school year, elementary-aged children are invited to our Sunday Ethical Education for Kids (SEEK) program—a non-theistic, Ethical Humanist version of Sunday School. Lessons are inspired by our SEEK Core Values and focus on the following: character development; social/emotional learning; critical thinking; science and the natural world; social justice and community action; global cultures and religions.

Each week, classes will meet in the Becker Room (multi-purpose room on the lower level), be escorted upstairs to participate in the beginning of our Platform program, return for a classroom lesson and snack, and then enjoy playground or social time. This year we will have two mixed-age classrooms: K-2nd and 3rd-5th, each led by a teacher on our staff.

Activity Hour

Prior to SEEK class, staff and volunteers host a weekly Activity Hour for kids in the Becker Room. Children will be able to participate in a variety of fun, educational activities where they can explore, learn, play, and create together. Our offerings for each Sunday will be shared in our weekly Ethical Education email. Families and kids with a special talent or interest are welcome to help host one of our Activity Hours and share their passion with others!

Children of Members and staff attend SEEK for free; non-Members are asked to pay a fee each semester of SEEK to help offset staff and supply costs. Please see Hours and Enrollment for more information. Activity Hour and Summer Sundays are free for all attendees.

Middle School – Evolving Ethics

Coming of Age

In Coming of Age, middle schoolers (Grades 6-8) come together in a safe, inclusive, teacher-led environment to further expand their ethical education, build a supportive community of peers, discover who they are as unique individuals, and find healthy and productive ways to navigate adolescence. The group will have lessons on Sundays during the school year, but they will also venture out of the Society to visit neighboring places of worship and serve the community. Coming of Age has its own room down the classroom hallway at the back of the Becker Room.

The Coming of Age program culminates in a personalized graduation ceremony at the end of 8th grade, in which students are recognized and celebrated by their families and the Society. Graduates are given the opportunity to express themselves in front of the congregation through speeches, musical performances, and more. Each participant takes a pledge that they will strive to live their unique ethical values.

Activity/Social Hour

The Coming of Age Room is open and staffed on Sunday mornings before lessons so that kids can hang out, eat some snacks, and socialize with their peers. Students are able to decide what this hour looks like: they can play games, debate topics, work on a service project, share a special interest, or host an activity for the group with the help of staff and volunteers.

Children of Members and staff attend for free; non-Members are asked to pay a fee each semester of Coming of Age to help offset staff, supply, and outing costs. Please see Hours and Enrollment for more information. Activity/Social Hour is free to all attendees.

High School – Living Ethics

Youth Group

The Society’s Youth Group is for students in 9th-12th grades. With the help and oversight of adult volunteer advisors, the group investigates issues that affect their lives, finds relevant and meaningful ways to contribute to and participate in the Society, and takes ethical action to make the world a better place. Youth Group has a designated room/lounge down the classroom hallway at the back of the Becker Room.

The Youth Group may host speakers, attend Platforms together, hold youth-led discussions, help plan community-building Society events, initiate service projects, and put together group social activities and outings. In addition, they organize fundraisers to help offset the cost of their outings. Each Spring, the Youth Group is charged with presenting a Platform for the full congregation, known as Youth Sunday. These are known to be wonderfully insightful and creative mornings.

If you are interested in Youth Group, please email seek@ethicalstl.org.

Parents

Parent Talk

Raising ethical kids is important, challenging work—and infinitely easier for parents when we are able to connect with each other. Parent Talk is a monthly meet-up for parents to get to know each other, discuss issues affecting our kids, share ideas and resources, and identify ways we can build community together, both inside and outside of the Society. This program is free to all attendees.

Learn more