children and teens

Children's Activities:

Berkeley Friends Meeting is rebuilding its First Day children’s program. Over the last few months, an increasing number of children have been consistently accompanying their parents and family members to Meeting. The First Day School committee and other teaching volunteers are excited to be able to provide play and learning time for our young attenders.

It’s not hard to see the connection between a thriving First Day children’s program and the health and growth of Quaker Meetings . . . and our Meeting is no exception. Parents and families of young children often wonder how they can pursue their own worship hopes if there is no place for their children at the Meeting House. Our First Day children’s program is an answer to that conundrum. We have two adults available to teach each First Day at the 11:00 a.m. hour. If a larger group of children attends, we have volunteers who will jump in to help. Parents and families are welcome to visit or stay during the First Day children’s programs.

Children of all ages are invited to join us. For the “little ones” ages 0 to 4, our focus is on childcare and playtime. For the “middle ones” ages 5 to 9, we offer guided activities, stories, and play that often touch upon Quaker concepts, faith and practice, and encourage having some fun. For the “bigger ones,” ages 10 to 13, we have plans that allow leeway for their own preferences on how the “Quaker Hour” might be spent. Attenders 10 and older have expressed interest in guided “quiet time” while their parents or family are in the Meeting.

College Park Quarterly Meeting and Pacific Yearly Meeting have exciting children's programs at their gatherings.

Teen Activities:

  • Depending on the number of teens, Berkeley Friends Meeting has its own teen group or works with other Friends Meetings / Churches in the area to provide activities.

  • Activities include teen nights with movies, pizza, and a service project.

  • Teens are very active in College Park Quarterly Meeting and in Junior Yearly Meeting with Pacific Yearly Meeting.