OWL Trainings

While COVID-19 and its variants remain a concern, the Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ will not host in-person Our Whole Lives trainings. The OWL office will begin hosting online Grades 7-9/10-12 trainings in January 2022. Learn more and find resources here or email the UUA OWL office at owl@uua.org.

Our Whole Lives (OWL): Lifespan Sexuality Education

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Trainings equip adults to lead OWL programs in their community. The New England Regional staff sponsors trainings throughout the year co-led by friendly, expert trainers who love teaching people how to lead OWL programs. You will learn, practice, and be evaluated during a weekend training that runs from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.

Please note, OWL Facilitators are required to be 25 years of age or older to teach in Unitarian Universalist congregational settings.

Upcoming OWL Facilitator Trainings

As of March 24, 2020, due to group gathering restrictions related to COVID-19, Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith trainings for the next few months have been postponed. Learn more about the status of OWL from OWL Program the OWL office at owl@uua.org.

Please subscribe to the New England Region newsletter to be notified when registration opens. OWL Facilitator Trainings are also held in other regions across the U.S. year round

Curriculum Books

Participants in the OWL Facilitator Training should bring their own copies of three books for the age and grade level(s) they will be teaching:

Our Whole Lives curriculum (K-1st Grade and/or 4th-6th Grade) (7th to 9th Grade and/or 10th to 12th Grade) (Young Adult and/or Adult Level)
the corresponding companion book Sexuality and Our Faith (K-1st Grade and/or 4th-6th Grade) (7th to 9th Grade and/or 10th to 12th Grade) (Young Adult and/or Adult Level)
Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health, and Justice (used for all levels)

If you do not already have a copy of the curriculum books, check with your religious education professional before ordering copies from the inSpirit: UU Book and Gift Shop. Note, if you have a team of people coming from the same congregation, you are welcome to share copies of the curriculum. It is not necessary for each person on your team to have their own copy. Contact the regional office, newengland@uua.org to borrow books for the training.

Training Schedule

All registrants are required to be present for the complete training. We have found that coming late and leaving early is disruptive to the group building process and can hinder work that is to be done in small groups. We therefore advise participants to stay overnight if they can, though this is not required. A basic outline for the training schedule is as follows (times may vary):

Friday:

4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - check in
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. - dinner
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - training

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. - training with breaks and meals

Sunday: 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - training with breaks and meals

Training Site

TBD

Training Fees

TBD

Cancelation Policy

Cancelation prior to the registration deadline will be subject to a $25 handling fee. Registration deadlines are one month prior to the training date.

Cancelations made after the registration deadline but a week or more before the training will be subject to a $150 fee, unless a replacement is arranged.

Refunds for cancelations made within the week prior to the training will be given only under emergency circumstances and at the discretion of the regional staff. There is no penalty for finding someone to replace you if you cannot come.