Activities for Children
Friends affirm that there is that of God in everyone, from the youngest to the oldest! That’s why we welcome the participation of children in all our activities. It’s also why Sandy Spring Friends Meeting offers robust programming for children and youth through our First Day School program. However your family is led to join us, you are welcome here!
9:00 and 11:00 Meetings for Worship
Children are always welcome in our weekly Meetings for Worship. We suggest parents help their children in advance to understand as best they can the special nature of waiting/silent worship and be prepared to participate as comfortably as possible.
Infants and Toddlers
Child care is offered every Sunday for infants and toddlers during the 11:00 am Meeting for Worship in the Community House nursery (1st floor).
First Day School
First Day School (FDS), also known as Sunday School in other faith traditions, is an opportunity for children to grow in their faith through education, worship, play, and fellowship. We currently offer two FDS groups at Sandy Spring: our K-5th grade FDS and our Young Friends group (middle and high schoolers). FDS classes begin in September and run every Sunday through mid-June.
K-5th Grade
Our K-5 FDS group gathers in the Community House each Sunday at 11:00 am. Parents may drop their children off at FDS starting at 10:45 am. Under the leadership of our Religious Education Coordinator, children learn about the Quaker testimonies (or SPICES), Bible stories and Quaker history from the Faith & Play curriculum, and being a citizen of the world. Each third Sunday features a special EarthCare curriculum; our children think about ways that our Meeting property, homes, and school environments can be more sustainable and help maintain our Meeting’s status as a wildlife sanctuary with outdoor activities.
The K-5 FDS group joins Meeting for Worship in the Meeting House around 11:50 am, often sharing what they learned in their class at rise of Meeting.
Our K-5 FDS group also joins our annual permaculture farm field trip in November and participates in our annual Christmas pageant and Easter Egg hunt.
Young Friends
Our Young Friends group (middle and high school-age youth) gather in the Community House each Sunday at 10:45 am. With the assistance of our Friendly Adult Mentors, the Young Friends plan a self-directed curriculum of service, study, and worship. Young Friends make their own decisions about their activities following the Quaker decision making process, including naming their own clerk and managing their own resources.
Our Young Friends activities have included food drives and service projects in partnership with Sharp Street United Methodist Church, Bible study, organizing a haunted house for Sandy Spring’s annual Halloween party, participating in the annual Christmas pageant, marching in the Capital Pride Parade, bake sales, EarthCare projects, and more. Each year, our Young Friends take an overnight trip to a site of Quaker importance; recent destinations have been Philadelphia’s historic Arch Street Meeting and Lusby in Southern Maryland to worship with Patuxent Friends Meeting and visit sites where George Fox, an English founder of Quakerism, visited the United States.
Meet Our Religious Education Coordinator
In fall 2024, Sandy Spring Friends Meeting welcomed Evangeline Bolles-Rioux as our new Religious Education (RE) Coordinator. Evangeline provides support and guidance to our K-5 and Young Friends groups, and works to grow the number of families and children participating in FDS activities.
Evangeline was born and raised Quaker and grew up in Meetings across the country, including in Chapel Hill, Durham, Tucson, Albuquerque, Grand Rapids, and most recently in Madison, Wisconsin where she served as Children and Youth Program Coordinator. “Quakerism is fundamental to my identity and the way I live my life,” says Evangline, “and I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide spiritual education and guidance and share the value of Quaker practice with the next generation.”
Evangeline believes that the key to a flourishing FDS program is adult participation, and encourages all Meeting members to get involved. “However often or whatever capacity you are comfortable [serving] is welcomed and encouraged,” she says. “It is crucial that the children have a diversity of perspectives in their spiritual education!”
If you have questions for Evangeline, or would like to volunteer with our FDS program, you can contact Evangeline at recoord@sandyspring.org.
Family-Friendly Activities
In addition to First Day School, Sandy Spring Friends Meeting offers a variety of special family-friendly activities throughout the year! Check out our News and Events page to see upcoming events.
Family-friendly events at Sandy Spring include:
Winter Game Nights (with board/card games & snacks)
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Juneteenth Celebration (with Sharp Street United Methodist Church)
Heritage Days (celebrating Quaker history in Sandy Spring)
Halloween Party
Christmas Crafts Sunday
Christmas Pageant
You can keep informed of our First Day School schedule and other kid-friendly activities by signing up for our Family Newsletter (sent out twice a month). Simply fill out the form below and click submit.
