What is OWL?
Our bodies are a gift, and how we relate to our own bodies, along with caring for each other reflects our deepest values and faith. We each have a right and calling to care for our bodies with developmentally appropriate and scientifically based information. Our Whole Lives is a curriculum designed to help children gain the knowledge, values and skills they need to understand their bodies, care for them, and express themselves in holistic and life-giving ways.
This nine-week course is a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program which introduces key topics like healthy body image, inclusive gender and sexual identity, the challenges of peer pressure, and ways to engage in healthy relationships with sensitivity and inclusiveness.
This course also provides a religious lens, helping children know the church is a safe place to ask questions in search of truth, meaning, and understanding. The theological ideas are grounded in an inclusive understanding of justice and equity for all humanity, along with our responsibility to mutually nurture and support one another. This faith perspective understands our bodies and personal expression through our bodies is a beautiful and unique aspect of creation. The theological tenets are grounded in the United Church of Christ, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Unitarian Universalist traditions.
Course Dates & Times
Scheduling around Spring Break and the Easter Celebrations, our nine week courses will span twelve weeks:
First Courses: Feb 4, 11, 25, March 4 & 11
Off: March 18, 25, April 1
Second Courses: April 8, 15, 22, 29
Dinner at 6:00 p.m. (optional), all students are welcome to join Wakonda’s Wednesday night Youth Group for dinner. Dinner is included in registration.
Course time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Who is Teaching
Class Facilitator: Kim Gunnes – Kim has been a Health Educator with Planned Parenthood of the North Central States for 18 years. She received her BA from the University of Wisconsin –Eau Claire and has worked in social services for 30 years. Kim subscribes to a holistic approach to sexuality education and implements interactive and creative strategies to her work.
Faith Facilitator: Rev. Robyn Bles – Robyn is the Senior Minister at Wakonda Christian Church. Robyn has a BA in Women’s Studies and a Master’s of Divinity degree with a concentration in Gender, Sexuality and Religion. She has 25 years of experience working with children and teenagers and is honored to support, celebrate, and equip young people with the sacred knowledge that they are unique and beloved just as they are.
Parent Facilitator: Joanna Winston –Joanna has been a Family and Consumer Sciences and Health educator for 18 years. She is a certified sexual health educator as well as a practicing doula and prenatal educator in the Des Moines area. Joanna holds both her Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula credentials through the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA).
Parent & Caregiver Role
Parents and caregivers are the first and primary teachers for children, and this also applies to how they learn about their own bodies and sexuality. You play a vital role in their lives and the information and attitudes you share are the first lessons our children learn. We want to help you best support your child and engage with these materials.
A mandatory parent/care giver meeting is scheduled during the first class. There will be additional parent/care giver meetings scheduled to help you engage the materials with your child. Joanna, our parent educator will be present at every class and welcomes your questions.
Mandatory Meeting: February 4th at 6:30 p.m.
Additional Meeting: April 8th at 6:30 p.m. This supplemental class provides ways to engage the materials and support your child.
Parents and Caregivers also need to order, prior to the first class: “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health,” by Robie H. Harris
Cost & Registration
$65 per student
Dinner and parent/care giver meetings included.
Please don't let cost keep your student from enrolling. Contact Pastor Robyn at robyn.bles@wakondacc.com for scholarship assistance.