"Change for Tomorrow" is a program based on the Five Year Plan and the program Transformation for Peace. The goal of the program is for junior youth to acquire a deeper understanding of their spiritual self, a more thorough knowledge of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, and a desire to be of service to humanity.
Each morning will start at 7:30 a.m. with dawn prayers at the sacred spot and a story by one of the staff members about what the Baha'i Faith means to him/her... or about someone that they admire for their service to humanity.
After breakfast, we will have an opening of the day program with music, prayers, stories, games, and an acknowledgement of the spiritual virtues we see in each other.
From 10:00 until noon, the students will be in academic classes. During this time, they will be grouped by age. We often study recent guidance from the House of Justice, elements of the Five Year Plan, specific principles that help the students gain confidence in resolving conflicts and applying spiritual principals to solving every day problems. We answer the question, "What can I do as a Baha'i (or as a good Christian/Jew/other) when such and such happens?
During lunch and recess, the students have several options to play volleyball or similar game, football, soccer, or something indoors.
At 2:00 there will be a workshop. The students will be introduced to the topic by a few staff members, and then they will work together in small groups to deepen their understanding of the concepts. Often they role play or create something to share with the community.
At 3:00, we have rotational arts so that students can explore different artistic expressions.
At 4:00, we group according to our interest in gala arts - dance, drama, music, or visual arts.
From 5:00 to 7:00 is a break for dinner and recess.
At 7:00 the students attend Assembly meetings. These groups of about 6 students each, have students of all ages participate together. They consult on a wide variety of topics. Sometimes Assemblies will make a recommendation on ways to improve the program, and those items are shared at the opening of the day the next morning.
At 8:00 there is usually a very active, fun, uplifting evening program. Sometimes we play outside, as the temperatures have cooled and students like to run around and be actively moving. As it is usually very hot in Texas in July, very little time is spent outside during the daylight hours. But please rest assured that gallons of gatorade and water are available to the students throughout the whole program.
After the evening program, we enjoy a light refreshment together. About 9:30 we calm down, and reverently enter the main room for our Close of the Day program. We take account of ourselves privately, and share music and prayers together. About 10:15, we walk quietly back to our casas (dorms) to get ready for bed. The students in the casas have a chance to consult about housekeeping matters, and then go to their rooms to rest. This year, we would like to include more time for service on a daily basis. We may juggle the schedule a bit to provide for time to work in the gardens at the sacred spot.
The most essential element of the program, "Change for Tomorrow," is that we are teaching the students the joy of living within the covenant with their peers and a few youth and adults, creating a loving community based on spiritual values and behaviours - prayers, consultation, turning to the Sacred Scriptures for guidance, positive feedback from each other and staff when they arise to be of service... We also provide an opportunity for the junior youth to ask questions about the faith and about opportunities for service.
Students are encouraged to return each summer. They build close bonds of love and friendship that sometimes last a lifetime.
It is hoped that as the junior youth attain the age of 15, they will take the course to be trained as junior youth animators, and work with junior youth in their communities... or serve as children's class teachers, study circle tutors, or devotional program coordinators.
