Module 05 - Working with Young People

A Rocha UK have resources for work with children included in the Environment Sunday packs that they have been producing annually. This was initially called 'Conservation Sunday' but is now 'Environment Sunday'. The resources can be used at any time!

The Environment Sunday pack for 2007 is called 'The Heat is On' and contains many resources suitable for use with young people, including powerpoint presentations on climate change. Order online here.

CAFOD have an extensive range of resources for use in secondary schools and these resources specifically on climate change, including some liturgical resources from the liveit conference in March 2008.

Christian Ecology Link's service suggestions for LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal friendly, Fairtrade) is suitable for use with children and young people.
Also have a look at CEL's Environment Awareness course, which is a detailed course with lots of resources to help engage with young people at many different levels.
And you might like to take a look at the EarthCare for Lent activities from St John's, Hurst Green.

Eco-Congregation Scotland have a resource list produced by Forth Environment Link which covers a number of areas, including work with children. This is a list of what they have available for Scottish churches to borrow, but it might give ideas of things to look out for if you are wanting to purchase some materials (see pages 5,6,9,10 from this Word document)

The Religious Education and Environment Programme (REEP) has developed resources linking many faiths and care for creation for primary age and for secondary age students. It also has a book list for different Key Stages.

Tearfund have some excellent online resources for youth groups:

• Lift the Label looking at finance, fashion, food and the future
• Climate change pentathlon looking at practical things to reduce CO2 emissions
• Also Tearfund's new climate change campaign - Don't be Derek - is highly suitable for use with young people. There are lots of downloadable resources from the Don't be Derek page.

Are you looking for somewhere to take your children/young people away for a weekend? Ringsfield Hall is a wonderful place of hospitality, prayer and nurture. Groups are free to follow their own programme, or you can have sessions lead on spirituality, creativity, fun, team building. They are committed to teaching children about earth keeping and creation care in a holistic and creative way.

Contact Ross Ashley or Chris Walton on 01502 713020 or email them at info@ringsfield-hall.co.uk.

Reflection Gardens, aims to make connections between issues in ecology and Christian beliefs, and to present these in a visual/physical way. It runs programmes, courses and retreats for various groups including youth groups. It is situation on the edge of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, some of the old woodland in England. Reflections is run by Revd Christine and Mr John Polhill.

Next door is a large camp site for young people's groups, with a variety of camping options, see http://www.beaudesert.org/.

A CAFOD resource for encouraging young people to address issues of lifestyle in the light of the effect on those in poorer countries.

There is also a book published by Canterbury Press and CAFOD in 2008 which introduces the project, has articles which outline the issues, prayers and hints for practical involvement.

Could you link in with a local school which is doing the Eco-Schools programme?

Have a look at their website, or see if you can interest your local school in getting involved.