Children's Programs
The General Assembly Planning Committee is committed to making the General Assembly (GA) a multigenerational experience and to making GA accessible and welcoming to families with children.
All children are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians. Children who have not yet entered high school (or its equivalent) are welcome to attend GA events with their parents or guardians at no cost, but are still required to register.
Child with Parent
There is no cost to register or cancel a child attending with a parent or guardian. By registering your child as a 'Child with Parent', you acknowledge that your child will remain under your constant supervision while attending General Assembly.
Children 5 through 13 years old must provide proof of vaccination upon arrival. Everyone 2 years and older must adhere to the mask mandate while inside General Assembly spaces. More about Safety & Wellness at GA
Children may be registered by adding a 'Guest Child 0-14' to your adult registration (step 3 on the adult registration form). If professional supervision is required, Children's Programs are available (advance registration and payment required, see below).
Children's Programs
General Assembly is pleased to offer child care (6 months – 4 years) and day camp (5 – 13 years) during the five days of GA. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Children's Programs hours are tailored to the GA schedule as much as possible and are subject to change. Our child care provider will be Pittsburgh Event Childcare. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, children 5 - 13 will be led by professional Unitarian Universalist Religious Educators and adult GA volunteers. Children’s Programs will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Pittsburgh Event Childcare
Pittsburgh Event Childcare (PEC) offers professional child care providers and developmentally appropriate activities for corporate and community events, weddings, and private parties. Michelle Lester is the Director of PEC and brings many years of childcare experience, more recently 8+ years of experience in a medically fragile childcare center where she served as a Registered Nurse, Assistant Clinical Director, and Clinical Director. She has served in both direct care and management capacities through the years and have learned many valuable lessons in providing the most effective and efficient childcare.
Child care activities by PEC for children 6 months to 13 years old may include fun themes, arts & crafts, group games, music & movement, board games, story time, dramatic play, etc. PEC will provide activities appropriate for each age group, using safe and sturdy equipment.
Univerlarian University of Fantastical Arts
Pittsburgh Event Childcare will collaborate with Jenn Blosser on programming for the GA camp for children 5 through 13 years old. Jenn is the Director of Religious Education for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hartford County, MD. Jenn operates a summer camp for the congregation and has adapted the program for children attending GA in-person this year. The Univerlarian University of Fantastical Arts (UUFA) content will be featured only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of GA. On Wednesday and Sunday, childcare themes will be selected by Northwest Nannies and the activities will be age appropriate.
UUFA is a fully immersive experience which centers play and sacred silliness as students explore UU theology through a world of make-believe. Using fantasy as a framework for reimagining the world and harnessing individual and collective power, UUFA invites students to be their most magically authentic selves and engage in liberative community building practices, centering UU values of radical inclusion.
2023 Dates and Rates
Child Care and Day Camp Hours (GA Schedule)
- Wednesday, June 21, noon – 5:30 p.m.
rate TBD; includes snacks - Thursday, June 22, noon – 5:30 p.m.
rate TBD; includes snacks - Friday, June 23, noon – 5:30 p.m.
rate TBD; includes snacks - Saturday, June 24, noon – 5:30 p.m.
rate TBD; includes snacks - Sunday, June 25, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
rate TBD; includes snacks
Parents may also book a 5-day package for either age group. Unused days or hours are not prorated.
Day Camp (5 - 13) with UU curriculum will be offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and is also offered as a 3-day package.
Children’s Programs have strict capacity limits due to required staffing ratios and space available. Registrations received after May 26 will be subject to a $35 late fee.
Limited financial support is available. If you require financial support, email generalassembly@uua.org. Please include the full cost of the programs you would like to register for (for example, three children on Wednesday only for $150, or one child for Thursday through Sunday for $500), and the amount you are able to pay.
Children’s Programs registrations may be cancelled without penalty through May 26. From May 27 – June 20, cancellations are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. As of June 21, no refunds will be issued.
Everyone 2 years and older must adhere to the mask mandate while inside the childcare and camp spaces. More about Safety & Wellness at GA. To ensure a safe and fun-filled environment, any child who is ill will not be admitted to the children’s program. Pittsburgh Event Childcare reserves the right to limit participation of any child whose presence or behavior may disrupt the program or endanger the health or safety of others.
Registration for 2023 Children's Programs will be available here beginning in March.
Evening Childcare
There will not be evening childcare hours, however, two childcare providers will be stationed at round tables in the back of the General Session Hall with arts/crafts, coloring pages, and/or other activities that can be done quietly. Parents will have the option of in-room support with their children during evening worships. There is no charge or registration for this option, and it will be available:
- Wednesday, 6 - 9:30 p.m. (Opening Celebration & General Session)
- Thursday, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Service of the Living Tradition)
- Friday, 6:30 - 9 p.m. (Synergy)
- Saturday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Ware Lecture)
- Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Sunday Worship)