Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is sexuality education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior. Our Whole Lives provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics, including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality.

For a current calendar click  OWL Calendar 2022-23 Program Year

Find out more about about the curriculum and offerings here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does OWL meet?

A: Last time MVUUF facilitated OWL, the group met twice a month on Sunday mornings from 10am-Noon. The plan is to go from September-May (16 sessions). Also, there is one retreat in the Fall and one in the Spring (4-5 hours each).

Q: What will my child learn?

A: There will be a parent class in August or September and we will share more information with you as well as give you access to more curriculum materials. Parents are their child’s first teacher. We are supporting you.

Q: How do I register for OWL?

A: Thank you for your interest in our OWL program! Our registration window has closed for the 2022-2023 year. Please fill out our visitor form to get future emails about OWL and other programming. You may also check back in Spring 2023, if you are interested in Adult OWL or in Spring 2024, to register for 8-9th grade OWL which will take place during the 2024-25 year. Email Maria@mnvalleyuu.org with questions.

Q: Does everyone need to be at OWL every time it meets?

A: You receive the information and experiences that you take part in. OWL as an international curriculum suggests that families plan that their 7-9th grader not miss more than three sessions. With that being said, we understand that life happens. The sessions are set up independently. You do not need to have experienced the previous session, to benefit from the next. We can send out a summary email of the previous session and information/resources for the upcoming session.

Q: How does it work to have 13-16 year olds in the same class? Isn’t that too large an age-span?

A: It works out well. We divide into small groups for discussion and some activities and the youth tend to work with their peers.

Q: Do youth get more comfortable with the material as the course goes on?

A: Yes! Giggling and feeling awkward are normal, especially the first sessions. Becoming comfortable with the material is built into the lessons.

Q: I am concerned that my child will not want to attend OWL. Do you have any materials I can share with them or encouraging words?

A: We can look for materials. It would be cool to have a trailer video for OWL! Know that the children do not have to share anything that they don’t want to. All youth will feel awkward some of the time, even the grown-ups will. You are not alone.

Q: How many people will be in an OWL group?

A: There will always be at least two unrelated OWL trained adult facilitators in the room. OWL recommends 10 youth per group. If we have more than 16 youth registered, we will have two groups.

Q: When I went to sexuality education classes as a youth, we separated into two groups – boys and girls. Is that something that happens in OWL?

A: No, we know that it is beneficial to learn all of the material. In a binary world, it is understandable to imagine that being in separate groups could give people freedom to ask questions of others who have the same gender identity as you. OWL has a question box: a way to ask anonymous questions at the end of one class that will be answered at the beginning of the next.

Q: From the perspective of a parent who has had a child participate in OWL, do you have any words of advice?

A: All the topics taught in OWL are things I want my child to know. It was important for my child to see the different points of view presented in OWL. 7th-9th grade is a really good age to teach these things.