HT Kids Children's Spiritual Retreat Program Outline

By Wilma Lagerwerf
Canadian Education and Innerworks Coordinator
HT Kids Coordinator

Introduction: HT kids is an initiative of Humanity's Team Canada to create a spiritual program for children. The retreat format is the first portion to initiate for HT kids, with emphasis on HT groups to incorporate this material in their local groups in the future.

Overall Theme: Love of Self

Sub Themes: The focus is on introduction of the concepts of spirituality as outlined in the CWG book series in a fun, practical and interactive way. Body, mind and spirit (tri part being) is addressed directly (or indirectly, depending on the age and level of the children in attendance) with the incorporation of principles such as chosen lifetimes, soul/light within and finding ones inner voice, communication and listening, equal voice and sharing/caring activities, developing intuition skills, interconnectedness of all life, creative power of imagination, visualization. The underlying theme is Love of Self, with plans in the future for incorporating a portion on diverse cultures and beliefs. Spirituality is definitely the gist, but we wish children to tie this into the everyday stuff of life.

Outline of Program: Bring together a variety of activities, stories, art, music and film with the emphasis on getting to know the children in attendance (and the children to each other) with a set of chosen activities on Friday PM, then choose from a range of material listed below to represent each sub theme that seems most suited for the children in attendance.

Cues on how to introduce, discuss or explore a theme to what is ultimately chosen from their interest and emphasis is decided on site. Having the children thoughts and input is encouraged and supported at all times, and varied presentation styles taken as a normal part of the agenda.

The source of material listed below far exceeds the ability to present in a single retreat, but is brought by guides as material from which to choose and present as considered best to the children in attendance.

Choice of Materials/Activities to Date:

The Shining Light Program - by Lynne Cox. Exceptionally well suited for ages 4 to 8.
The Ultimate Kid (book of activities) by Jeff Goelitz Med. Divided into activities that compliment the Shining light, but for an age range of 6 to 14 yrs.
"Thoughts on ..." Book series (Relationships, Self, Purpose, Living, Living and Growing, Making Dreams come True) by Paul Liebau
"All about me" - An interactive workbook for children to explore their feelings, by Randall G Holland, Ph.D
"You are the Earth" and "Eco Fun" by David Suzuki and Kathy vanderlinden
"Heart Hero" by Laurene Louise Honeyman
Path of the DreamHealer, the quantum world of energy healing (for exercises on personal energy awareness)
"Little Soul and the Sun" by Neale Donald Walsch
"Little Soul and the Earth" by Neale Donald Walsch
"He's Got the Who World in his Hands" by Kadir Nelson
"Animals on the other side" by Sylvia Brown
"Children of the Earth - remember" by Schim Schimmel
"God made you Special" by Zonderkids
"The giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
"All I see is part of Me" by Chara M Curtis
"Emma and Mommy talk to God" by Mary Ann Williamson
"You are Special" by Max Lacado
"Where does God Live?" by Holly Bea
"Bless your heart" by Holly Bea
"Incredibile You" by Dr Wayne Dyer
"Nightlights" (stories and advice to help your child discover Peace, Confidence and Creativity) by David Fontana Ph.D
"Earthlight" - new meditations for children by Maureen Garth
"On Earth as it is in Heaven" by N.A. Noel and John Wm Sisson
"Three Minute Animal Stories" by Nicola Baxter
"Who Moved my Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, MD
"Me, alone at the end of the world" by MT Anderson
"Stone Soup for the world" life changing stories of kindness an courageous acts of courage
"The value of Believing in yourself" the story of Louis Pasteur
"Love you Forever" by Robert Munch
"You are Child of God", by Nelson Mandela
"Medicine Cards" The discovery of power through the ways o Animals" by James Sams and David Carsons
"Imagine a Day" by Sarah L Thomson
"The seven spiritual laws or parents" by Deekpak Chopra

(book reviews in process for the above)

Music: Children bring their favorite CDs, and classical and other varied selections brought by facilitators to expand of a theme of energy and feelings created and experienced through music (Mozart / Bach / Vivaldi, Madonna, Alannis Morrisette, Michael Tanaka)

Film:
"Finding Neverland" with Johnny Depp (imagination adult/child)
"Ryans Well" - Documentary (child visualization and focus that manifested in reality)
"Brother Bear" (reincarnation and life lessons)
"The Dark" By Maori Stanton (facing fear)
"Paws" by Max and Bill Glader (Animal as conscious in a fun way)

Modalities encouraged:
Dahn Hak / Yoga / Reiki / Drumming

Alternate Culture(s):
"The Sacred Tree" by the Four World International Institute

(All of the above is a beginning of what can be used, and is by no means a complete list)

Activity Theme Selections from material listed above:

Circle times will begin each day/session, initially to help introduce ach other in a fun and interactive way, afterwards to simply create the space to express and connect with each child each time we come together, and set the tone for activities to follow.
Meditation introduced though circle/nature/music or simply quiet time with guided visualization(s).
Introduction of Soul/Light and God through selected stories that emphasize chosen, the lifetimes, complete spirits/souls that all of us are, that God is all loving, everywhere in all things.
Explore "We are all One" and what it means, preferably in may ways throughout the program.
Loving Yourself in as many ways as possible, not just through the program material, but also through nurturing support of guides with children and each other.
The power of caring, what you give is what you receive (life mirroring back).
Relationships.
Communication skills.
Intuition as a skill and tool to develop in each of us. The know without knowing how you know - and trusting it
Intention and Focus - where we place our attention grows.
Diversity and differences in people.
Dreams
Creativity - what it is and how each of us show this individually
Feeling and Emotions, and recognizing their importance in self.
Modeling the importance and value of service to others.
Laughter Yoga as a tool to altering emotional state and perceptions thereafter.
Imagery and Power of Visualization to heal and create.
Telling the truth and effect on self.
Importance of the " Now" or present moment in our lives.
The power of story and mythology in imparting key spiritual messages.

Typical Program Format: Friday PM (3- 4 hours), Saturday all day (9:00am until well into the evening - minus meal times with parents), Sunday AM until mid PM (minus lunch time with parents).

Typical Program location and set up: A large dedicated room with natural lighting, washroom, healthy snack mid morning and PM(s), CD player DVD/Video player and TV. Pillows, blankets ,tables, chairs, flipcharts, art supplies, self directed activity support material, outdoor play area(s), access to nature and a pet therapy cat or dog if possible.

Challenges at Retreats:
Varied ages of children, all at different levels of spiritual, physical, emotional, social and mental development. All but the ages of the children are unknown to guides ahead of time, which makes material selection a challenge.

Enough chosen volunteers to help facilitate the amount of personal contact with children that allows for normal individual reactions and behavior in children in a manner that is both supported and guided so the program and experience of it is effective for all children in attendance.

Supplies and/or facilities for self directed activities.

Benefits at Retreats:
Immersion atmosphere that encourages all to get deeply and personally involved with each other.

No prior judgments by any children's or guides as all are new to each other and easy to keep the program in the "Now" moment.