Junior youth groups
Young people aged 11 to 14 meet weekly to read together, talk about the world they want to build, and carry out small acts of service in their neighbourhood.
Open to all young people aged 11 to 14, of every background. There is no faith requirement and the programme is explicitly non-religious in its discussions.
A junior youth group brings together young people aged 11 to 14 — that in-between age the programme calls 'junior youth' — for a weekly hour or two of reading, conversation, sport, art and service in their neighbourhood.
Each group is led by an 'animator,' an older youth or young adult trained to walk alongside the group rather than instruct it. The materials focus on questions junior youth themselves care about: friendship, family, fairness, identity, the future. The programme is offered worldwide to nearly a million young people across more than 130 countries.
What to expect
First 10 minutes
Arrival and a game
The group greets each other and warms up with a quick game, a snack or a song.
About 45 minutes
Read a story, discuss, plan
Together the group reads from a short illustrated text — Breezes of Confirmation, Walking the Straight Path, Glimmerings of Hope — and discusses the questions each chapter raises about everyday choices. Often the group plans a small project: a clean-up, a card for a neighbour, a tutoring session for younger kids.
Last 15 minutes
Sport, art or service
Many groups end with basketball, a craft, a community walk, or work on the chosen service project. Snacks are common.
Who comes
- Young people aged 11 to 14, of every background.
- Groups are often single-school or single-neighbourhood, so participants know each other.
- Animators are older youth (typically 15 to 25) who have completed Ruhi Book 5.
What to do
- Drop off and pick up on time, or arrange a buddy to walk with.
- Talk to the animator about any sensitivities, friendships or worries beforehand.
- Encourage your young person to invite a friend.
- Ask about the current text — most parents love the discussion topics.
What you don't need to do
- There is no fee.
- Your young person will not be pressured around faith — the programme is intentionally non-religious in its discussions.
- There is no academic component, marking, or homework.
A sample programme
Every gathering has its own rhythm — this is one realistic outline.
- 4:00 pm
- Arrival and a snack
- 4:10 pm
- A quick game or warm-up song
- 4:20 pm
- Read a chapter of Breezes of Confirmation together
- 4:40 pm
- Discussion: what would you have done?
- 5:00 pm
- Plan the week's act of service
- 5:15 pm
- Sport, art or walk to the project site
- 5:45 pm
- Wrap up and pickup
Origins & meaning
Bahá'ís see the years from 11 to 14 as a unique window when young people are developing the spiritual capacities and powers of expression that will shape the rest of their lives. The junior youth spiritual empowerment programme was developed to walk alongside them in that window.
The materials are deliberately not religious instruction. They focus on developing reading comprehension, ethical reasoning, conversation skills and a sense of agency — anchored in the conviction that every young person has noble qualities and something to contribute to their community.
- Animator
- Not a teacher or coach — an older youth (often 15–25) who has trained to accompany a junior youth group as a slightly older friend.
Frequently asked questions
What ages is this for?+
Junior youth groups are for young people aged 11 to 14.
Is it religious instruction?+
No. The discussions and texts focus on universal themes — friendship, fairness, the future — without religious teaching.
Who are the animators?+
Trained older youth, typically 15 to 25, who have completed Ruhi Book 5 on accompanying junior youth.
How are animators screened?+
Bahá'í communities follow local child-protection practices, and most Canadian communities require police record checks (CPIC or vulnerable-sector screening) for animators.
Does it cost anything?+
No. The programme is free.
What do they actually read?+
Short, illustrated texts written specifically for this age group. Common starters are Breezes of Confirmation and Walking the Straight Path.
What kind of service projects?+
Small, neighbourhood-scale acts: park clean-ups, cards or visits to elders, tutoring younger kids, beautifying a public space, organising a small drive.
Can my non-Bahá'í child join?+
Absolutely — most groups in Canada have a mix of Bahá'í and non-Bahá'í participants.
Find one near you
The next upcoming junior youth groups across Canada.
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Your first visit — a small checklist
- Meet the animator before the first session if you can
- Confirm meeting place, day, time, and pickup arrangements
- Pack water and a snack
- Talk with your young person about what they hope to get out of it
Other kinds of gatherings
Children's class
Weekly classes that nurture qualities like honesty, kindness and generosity through stories, songs, prayers and play. Free, joyful, all welcome.
Read the guide →
Study circle
A small group that meets weekly to read together, reflect, and try out practical themes — prayer, service, raising children, the nobility of the human spirit.
Read the guide →
Devotional
A simple, prayerful hour where neighbours of every background read sacred writings, share music, and reflect together.
Read the guide →