Youth Activities for Spiritual Growth
The adolescent years mark a physical, emotional, and spiritual shift. During this time youths experience an increased interest in peer groups and a decreased attachment toward parents. Socializing with peers who share the same morals, values, and interests becomes an important tool in keeping a youth on his spiritual path. Attending services held by one's faith community is important, but such services are often geared toward adults. A youth's spiritual growth can be further nurtured and developed by participating in programs and activities designed specifically for his age group.
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Community Service
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All major religions have some version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Community service is a wonderful way for youth to develop an awareness and sensitivity to those in need. Kids learn well from hands-on experience, particularly if the effort has tangible results. A sense of accomplishment fuels spiritual growth and helps increase a youth's self-esteem. Examples of community service for youth are tutoring, volunteering at a soup kitchen, organizing clothing or canned food drives and assisting in neighborhood clean-up efforts.
Spiritual Retreats
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Many religions offer spiritual retreats designed specifically for youth. These retreats provide the opportunity to learn scripture and explore the specific tenets of one's faith belief system. The appeal of youth retreats is that kids get to be with their peers and learn in a fun, safe environment. Retreats are intended to inspire, challenge, and equip youth to bring their faith into every aspect of their life, including homes, school and community.
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Team-Building Exercises
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Team-building exercises can be tailored to a group and can be as long as a weekend or as short as a few minutes. Youth learn the dynamics of working in a group as well as the importance of being a dependable member of a team. Exercises can hone in on specific behaviors such as finding common ground with one another while maintaining respect for one another's differences, or being able to distinguish the superficial from the meaningful and prioritizing accordingly.
Social Outings
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Involving youth in social outings that don't have a specific spiritual agenda is a great way to promote spiritual growth. Going out socially with a positive peer group provides kids the opportunity to get together without the pressure of smoking, drinking, illegal and illicit drugs and sexual expectations. Popular activities include going to a movie, skating, sledding, laser tag or spending the day at the beach or an amusement park.
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- Photo Credit Cheerful youth image by Aliaksandr Zabudzko from Fotolia.com
