Our Whole Lives - OWL - at Bethel
Owl is Back & Better than Ever!
Bethel is pleased to again offer OWL to our community, this year, adding a 4th-6th grade cohort to our existing 8th grade cohort! More information about times, location, and costs, below.
What I appreciate about this program in its full expression is that it doesn't just dump facts and figures on the kids. This is a well-researched and refined system that allows those facts and figures to soak in, be discussed in a safe and inclusive environment, and then put into practice through a variety of experiential activities. In other words, this is education at its best.
Since this educational experience is being sponsored by a church, Bethel, some of you may be concerned that we are imposing our religious views into this material. We don't. Our purpose is to provide this vital content to as many of our Gorge youth as possible in order to help cultivate a safer, more respectful, and informed community. This is all about healthy respect for our and other bodies, relationships, and interactions. Your family or faith community can supplement this content as you feel best. If you would like help exploring faith and sexuality, I am happy to discuss your desires and recommend material appropriate for you context.
Pastor Andy Wade
A word from our lead OWL facilitator, Avery Deane Swift
Dear neighbors,
Thank you so much for your interest in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) programs in White Salmon this fall! I am excited and honored to once again be offering these life-changing programs to our community youth. The OWL program is based on 4 core values that are near and dear to my heart: Self Worth, Responsibility, Sexual Health, and Justice/Inclusivity.
WHAT: There will be 2 OWL age groups this fall in White Salmon, a grade school cohort (grades 4-6) and a middle school cohort (grades 7-9, 8th grade is ideal for most students).
HOW: To enroll your young person(s) in these classes, please fill out this google form with the info we need to enroll: OWL 2022 Enrollment Form
The 4th-6th grade class be held from 4-5:30 PM on Wednesdays at Bethel UCC in White Salmon.
The 8th-grade class is set and will be happening on Wednesday evenings, also beginning on the 5th, from 6:45-8:30 pm at Bethel UCC in White Salmon.
Let us know what questions arise!
Big Love,
Avery Deane
Avery Deane Swift
pronouns: they/them
Coach, Facilitator, Speaker
Holder of Healing Spaces
Certified OWL Facilitator (Our Whole Lives Lifespan Sexuality Education)
541-408-1595
avery@gorgebodywise.com / gorgebodywise.com / embodyyoursenses.com
May we choose Love as our thread as we weave the fabric of our lives.
What I appreciate about this program in its full expression is that it doesn't just dump facts and figures on the kids. This is a well-researched and refined system that allows those facts and figures to soak in, be discussed in a safe and inclusive environment, and then put into practice through a variety of experiential activities. In other words, this is education at its best.
Since this educational experience is being sponsored by a church, Bethel, some of you may be concerned that we are imposing our religious views into this material. We don't. Our purpose is to provide this vital content to as many of our Gorge youth as possible in order to help cultivate a safer, more respectful, and informed community. This is all about healthy respect for our and other bodies, relationships, and interactions. Your family or faith community can supplement this content as you feel best. If you would like help exploring faith and sexuality, I am happy to discuss your desires and recommend material appropriate for you context.
Pastor Andy Wade
A word from our lead OWL facilitator, Avery Deane Swift
Dear neighbors,
Thank you so much for your interest in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) programs in White Salmon this fall! I am excited and honored to once again be offering these life-changing programs to our community youth. The OWL program is based on 4 core values that are near and dear to my heart: Self Worth, Responsibility, Sexual Health, and Justice/Inclusivity.
WHAT: There will be 2 OWL age groups this fall in White Salmon, a grade school cohort (grades 4-6) and a middle school cohort (grades 7-9, 8th grade is ideal for most students).
HOW: To enroll your young person(s) in these classes, please fill out this google form with the info we need to enroll: OWL 2022 Enrollment Form
- Parent orientation is required for your child to participate in OWL and will be offered from 6:30-8:30 PM Tuesday October 4.
- Classes begin Wednesday, October 5 for youth.
- Deadline for sign ups is when the class fills or October 4, whichever comes first.
The 4th-6th grade class be held from 4-5:30 PM on Wednesdays at Bethel UCC in White Salmon.
- This curriculum includes 10 sessions plus a parent orientation and will be delivered this fall starting mid-September and wrapping up in December before the holidays.
- We are asking for contributions on a sliding scale for each student from $400-$200 (paying in installments is available, reach out to me to work out the details).
- Please offer what you are able to based on your family's access to financial resources, so that we can pay our facilitators a living wage and also make space for scholarships for youth whose families could not otherwise afford to enroll their students.
- This class will be limited to 15 students.
The 8th-grade class is set and will be happening on Wednesday evenings, also beginning on the 5th, from 6:45-8:30 pm at Bethel UCC in White Salmon.
- This will be the full accredited curriculum including 24 lessons plus a parent orientation and will be delivered from mid-September 2022 through April 2023, with a break over the end-of-year holidays.
- We are asking for contributions on a sliding scale for each student from $750-$400 (paying in installments is available, reach out to me to work out the details).
- Please offer what you are able to based on your family's access to financial resources, so that we can pay our facilitators a living wage and also make space for scholarships for youth whose families could not otherwise afford to enroll their students.
- This class will be limited to 15 students.
Let us know what questions arise!
Big Love,
Avery Deane
Avery Deane Swift
pronouns: they/them
Coach, Facilitator, Speaker
Holder of Healing Spaces
Certified OWL Facilitator (Our Whole Lives Lifespan Sexuality Education)
541-408-1595
avery@gorgebodywise.com / gorgebodywise.com / embodyyoursenses.com
May we choose Love as our thread as we weave the fabric of our lives.