Shortly after Christmas, Adam’s best friend told us that some people had been around at his house to invite him and his friends to check out the new youth group they were starting at the Community Centre. The went to the first meeting with a bit of trepidation and me stating that it couldn’t be a cult at the com so he would probably be safe enough even though we had NO clue who was running this thing. They returned quite enthused and chatting about who else they could ‘recruit.’
A few nights later we had a visit from a couple of hip looking 20 something’s who introduced themselves as the folks who were running the group. We invited them in and they explained that they were trying to form a group for kids 11 to 13 where the kids could learn to ask the “big” questions. They said they felt the world was a contradictory place and that kids this age were struggling to find their voice and opinions on how our society and the world worked. I tended to agree, but was curious as to why they seemed hesitant to mention what was backing this initiative.
It turns out it is a Bahai Faith initiative (pardon the missing accents). This sort of blew me away as I think the only thing I ever knew about the organization/faith was that they had offices and some sort of hotel down town. I don’t think I have spoken to anyone (NOW I know people who were part of it) who were connected to them before. A total new experience. These two education students, plus one more I believe, have committed a HUGE amount of their spare time into corralling our youth into thinking deep thoughts. The idea is (taken from their website which I quickly looked up):
“The basic premise behind the program is the belief that junior youth are capable of thinking deeply about the world and their place within it and that they need an environment that gives them support and encouragement.”
They have three strengths that they want to encourage – developing a power of expression, developing human potential, and service to the community.
Pretty hard to disagree with any of that really. I try to encourage this type of thinking myself and have been happy that the kids were interested in initiatives like Plan Canada and Free the Children. My children are spoiled rotten and I try to balance that with some sort of awareness about the rest of the world and just how lucky they really are. The schools do try to get the kids involved in community awareness..but it all seems a bit rote, a bit dry – Terry Fox run every year with little in depth reasons to why, bottle drives which the goals seem more for prizes than anything else – nothing that seems to truly resonate with the kids. Their school did do a penny drive for Free the Children after We Day last year, but again, these initiatives only really resonate with a few.
Surprisingly, the kids have been quite excited about it all, though I do have the feeling that they are excited for all the wrong reasons. I don’t think they quite grasp the concept of sitting down and ‘discussing’ things. I get the feeling they are waiting to be entertained more than anything. Sigh.
This weekend they are doing baking and a bake sale on Sunday over at our local Extra Foods. They proceeds are apparently going to go to the Children’s Hospital. They said that they picked that first because the hospital does good work and you never know what potential great leader you are saving with the money. I thought this was nice.
Both Patrick and I are perfectly okay with any group religious affiliated or not that encourages a world conscience. Our only caveat is if it also teaches ideal that point against persons for whatever reasons. So far, we haven’t heard too many things to raise any red flags..though really, they could be heading to some home set up for porn or human slavery for all I know. Relying on 10 year old’s and then 20 something for in-depth information is asking a lot.
Anyway, we believe in keeping an open mind about our children’s explorations into believe and philosophy. I am just frankly boggled that this group has managed to keep our Xbox loving kids so enthused to be showing up 2 to 3 times a week to ‘plan’ things. I like to think that hopefully the concept of deep thoughts will sink into their brains by osmosis why they think they are having fun.
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