OWL (Our Whole Lives) is a series of comprehensive sexuality education curricula co-published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ first in 2000. Now in its second edition, each curriculum is designed in a manner to provide value-centric learning separate from the influence of any specific religious or spiritual beliefs.

Inherent worth and dignity of every person

At the heart of each of the seven age-specific course offerings are many values, broadly catagorized in four broad topic areas:

• Self-Worth
• Sexual Health
• Responsibility
• Justice and Inclusivity

Other central beliefs include youth having the right to

• ask any questions they may have about sexuality
• receive full and accurate information about sexuality
• gain the knowledge and values needed to make decisions about sexual matters
• express their sexuality in ways that are healthy and life affirming
• be treated with respect by facilitators and other participants in the group

Finally, the curriculum is based on fundamental assumptions, including:

• Human beings begin developing genitals and reproductive organs in utero and must continue caring for them throughout their lives.
• Sexuality is a good part of the human experience.
• Sexuality includes much more than sexual behavior. It also include physical changes, gender identity, feelings and thoughts about bodies, relationships, and social interactions.
• Sexuality affects human beings throughout their lifespan.
• It is natural to express sexual feelings in a variety of ways.
• People engage in health sexual behavior for a variety of reasons, including to expresss caring and love, to experience intimacy and connection with another, to share pleasure, to bring new life into the world, and to have fun and relax.
• Sexuality in our society is damaged by violence, exploitation, alienation, dishonesty, abuse of power, and the treatment of persons as objects.
• It is healthier for young teens to postpone partnered sexual activity that could lead to unintended physical or emotional health outcomes.

Relevant and practical

These courses begin with offerings for as young as kindergarten, and continue throughout all stages of adulthood, truly embodying the Our Whole Lives title. Each course is made to address in an honest, clear, and compassionate way the choices and struggles that age group may be facing or will soon face. Providing developmentally appropriate information to participants helps dismantle stereotypes and eliminate assumptions, assisting participants to make responsible and informed decisions within all aspects of life. 

Holistic, inclusive, and comprehensive

The OWL program recognizes that no one aspect of life is separate from any other, and that people of various experiences, bodies, and identities exist together in our world and communities. Complete inclusivity and education takes a lifetime, but the grades 7–9 curriculum is particularly involved as participants’ minds, bodies, and experiences are nearing or within the transition from child to adult.

2026–2027 PUUF OWL Program for Youth Grades 7–9

Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is offering the OWL curriculum for youth grades 7–9 (ages 12–15) with classes to run weekly on Sunday evenings, closely following the local 2026–2027 academic calendar. Start date to be determined, tentatively late September.

Parents of enrolled youth must attend a mandatory orientation prior to their youth beginning the OWL program.

Time commitment

With the importance of this specific time, the curriculum established is significantly longer than all others, containing 25 seperate workshops. Participants are expected to attend all of the approximately 25 sessions to receive a holistic view of the world and their developing part in it. These sessions are guided by facilitators trained to guide and inform participants in both an empathetic and knowledgeable approach. 

While facilitators may be leading these sessions, allowing participants a new space with peers and open communication to express themselves in new ways, facilitators understand they are supplemental to the education parents and guardians offer on this topic. Parents and guardians must attend orientation as a prerequisite to their youth’s participation in the program.

Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship offers the OWL program in secular form, with optional components to address how people of different faiths and belief systems may integrate their secular learnings with their spiritual selves. 

Holistic sexuality health, not an abstinence only program

The OWL curriculum encourages abstinence for teens while providing comprehensive education to support teens in the following ways:

Grounded in the values of self worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice and inclusivity, the seven units covered are:

• Unit 1: Introduction (defining sexuality, examining values)
• Unit 2: You, as a Sexual Being (anatomy & physiology; puberty; body image; gender identity, expression, roles & stereotypes, sexual orientation, guest panel, sexuality and disability)
• Unit 3: Relationships (healthy relationships; relationship skills)
• Unit 4: Contemporary Issues (sexuality, social media and the internet; bullying & bystander responsibilities)
• Unit 5: Responsible Sexual Behavior (redefining abstinence; lovemaking; consent education)
• Unit 6: STIs, Pregnancy & Parenting Decisions
• Unit 7: Communicating about Sexuality (decision making, communicating with a sexual partner, self care & celebration)