Our Whole Lives program is now being offered to adults. OWL is a holistic sex ed class that provides facts as well as opportunities to clarify values and improve communication and interpersonal skills.

Most adults have participated in some kind of sex education but how many of us feel comfortable talking about it? OWL covers the full spectrum of human sexuality such as relationships, pleasure, boundaries, mind and body connection, gender and orientation, family, fantasy, diversity and aging.

Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives and contributes to the health and safety of the entire community. Adults with greater confidence as sexual beings have healthier, more satisfying relationships and will be able to do a better job when talking with the youth in their lives. Adult OWL is a powerful experience for couples and individuals.

The program is open to adults over 25 for a suggested donation of $300 for individuals and $400 for couples, which will help offset the costs of the youth program. However, this fee should not be a barrier to participation; all are welcome.

The program takes place over one evening and two-weekend mini-retreats at Camp Orkila’s Alumni House on the following dates:

• Sunday, Oct. 7 from 7–9 p.m.

• Mini Retreat No. 1 is on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Mini Retreat No. 2 is on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

The OWL program has been taught on Orcas since 2010, primarily for middle school students. Funded in part by the Orcas Island Community Foundation, the course will be taught by certified OWL instructors Sandi Burt, MSW; Suzanne Olson; Berto Gandara; Serena Burman and RJ Myers; as well as many guest speakers from our island community.

Enrollment is by application, due Aug. 31. For more information, contact Suzanne Olson at storysmith8@gmail.com. Learn more about OWL at www.uua.org/re/owl/.

The middle-school program will also be offered, beginning in early December. Applications for this program will be accepted in September, and information will be shared at school open house events and a parent orientation meeting in October.

The Our Whole Lives curricula include age-appropriate courses for kindergarteners through adult aged and were developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association in the early 1970s and then updated in the 1990s in collaboration with the United Christ Church. The curricula are based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (PDF) produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.