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Coming of Age
What Former Coming Of Age Participants Have To Say
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What Would You Say In Recommending This Program To Another Youth?
If you enjoy being with new people and
forming lasting friendships you should
seriously consider signing up.
The COA program is wonderful in the
fact that you leave it with so much
more than you started, whether it be
a better understanding of who you are,
knowledge about the people around you,
or just memories of the good times you
had and the friends you made.
It was great! At first I wanted absolutely
nothing to do with it, but by the end of the
first retreat I had made so many friends and
had so much fun, I couldn't wait to go back
The times I spent at the retreats are some
of the best times I can remember.
It's an incredible experience I will never
forget. I will always be glad I took
advantage of this opportunity.
I'll be blunt. I had my doubts at first
but after the second meeting I made it
a point to attend. I made friends I
talk to today. Unless everybody that
signs up is a jerk, you will like it.
The COA program is awesome! It's the
BEST thing you can do to get to know
who you really are. You make cool
friends too! Sign up ASAP.
Do it! Do it! Do it! You won't regret
it, in fact, you'll hope every UU will
have this chance. All the worries and
nervousness and skepticism and every
other emotion will be gone by the end
of the first meeting. You'll get sooo
much out of this, so please just take
a risk and sign up!
COA is a great time to meet wonderful
new friends and to find what your
inner self really is.
What Were The Most Significant Things You Learned?
I learned so much about myself that I
didn't even know existed. Some things I
can't even explain, I just know that they're
there and they affect who I am. This helped
me interact with other people.
I learned a lot about myself and about others.
I learned a lot about teamwork, making new
friends, being open-minded and confident.
Met new friends, got to know old friends
better, had lots of fun, found out things
about the universe and myself.
To know your inner-self and to express
feelings with others.
Trust, leadership skills, necessity of
community and friends, self-reflection.
I never realized how close a group of
teens can get! At first it was awkward
but VERY QUICKLY we got to know each
other better.
What Changes Did You Notice In Yourself And Others By The End Of The Program?
Confidence skyrocketed in several people.
One person had an amazing
"coming-out-of-shell" and is a
better person for it.
I am more self-confident in dealing with
other people. Everyone in the program was
so supportive that I could say whatever I
wanted and know I wouldn't be criticized.
By the end of the program we were all good
friends and we would think of others before
ourselves.
I noticed that attitudes changed, people
became more outgoing and less self-conscious.
I became more confident in myself and more
accepting of other people.
I was much more confident and less afraid
to do things that I would never have done
before.
We all became very close and at conferences
we all get together and talk
I felt more of an understanding towards
goals in my life and I realized that I
could make more decisions for myself.
My confidence increased a lot even
though I have always been a confident
person. I found you can't accurately
"judge a book by it's cover" (referring
to making friends with people I didn't
at first impression think I would like).
I discovered nature in a very special way
and grew to love being a UU and what that
represents. I'll always have those
wonderful memories of the people and
the very unique things we did.
OTHER COMMENTS:
It was a wonderful experience I
will remember for the rest of my
life. It gave me so many precious
gifts, close friends, and beautiful
memories I shall cherish forever.
If you have an opportunity to
participate in one of these programs
do it because it's lots of fun.
Take advantage of this, you won't regret it!
As much as I love it, it wasn't paradise
exactly. I was sort of shy at times and
some "cool" people can be intimidating at
times. By the last retreat I noticed all
the stress I had at school vanished and
love took its place. It was very sad at
the end because we grew so much together
and leaving them felt like part of me was
dying, yet growing at the same time because
I was officially on my own. I could take all
I learned and use it in my life.
Everybody is so different, yet we're all
here to share our differences and respect
each other.
It was a real learning experience and I
have NO regrets for signing up.
It's fun to come and see people who are
really friendly and who like you for yourself.
You get to meet a lot of cool, neat, awesome,
funny people. They all like you and they are
easy to talk to.
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