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Kidstown at Grace Chapel
Where kids get to know Jesus and have fun!
In Kidstown, little kids learn that God made them and wants to be their forever friend. Big kids learn to make wise choices, trust God no matter what, and treat others the way they want to be treated. We meet kids just where they are, challenge volunteers to give their best, and equip parents to make faith real in their homes.
Sunday programs:
- 9:30am: Birth through Grade 5
- 6:00PM: Childcare for birth through pre-K
Vacation Bible School 2010
High Seas Expedition
Vacation Bible School is a fun experience for all kids who have completed Kindergarten through Grade 5. This year’s theme is called High Seas Expedition "Exploring the mighty love of God."
Kids will participate in large-group assembly time, play outdoor games, make creative snacks, watch a video in serial format, participate in a drama illustrating the Bible story, and make take-home crafts.
Each day’s activities teach us that God’s word - is true, comforting, surprising, life-changing, and for everyone.
Online registration is now closed. Walk-in registration will be available on Monday, June 28 at 8:30am. For more information, please call Karen Potter at 781.862.8351 ext. 128. Thank you.
My First Time In Kidstown
Where do I go and what do I do?
- Kidstown is located on the ground level of the Community Life Center at 59 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA. Look for signs for "Kidstown."
- Register - Your child with an attendant.
- Check In - Is as simple as 1-2-3.
- Check In
- Arrive Early - Check-In begins 20 minutes before the service starts and ends 20 minutes after the beginning of each service
- Stop By - The New Family Station to register, receive an IN-Slip, badge and pager (for early childhood-age children only)
- Place - Your badge on your child and take IN-Slip with you
- Put - Your pager where will notice the vibration if necessary
- Drop Off
- Take - Your child to the assigned classroom
- Connect - With the classroom leaders
- Enjoy The Service
- After the Service - Go to a computer station (early childhood children only) to pick up an OUT-Slip and return your pager
- Elementary Parents - Can go directly to the rooms. You do not need an OUT-Slip
- Next Week - You will be able to check in at any computer desk or self check-in computer kiosks
Sunday Programs
Our Sunday curriculum comes from the www.therethinkgroup.com. Check out their website for Family Times material that enhances the curriculum and provides great family devotional material.
Early Childhood - From the late Toddler room through Kindergarten, kids learn three primary objectives. See www.myfirstlook.com for more information.
- God made me
- God loves me
- Jesus wants to be my forever friend
Each environment is equipped with age-appropriate toys and activities. Every week volunteers engage kids with objects for them to explore, wild and wiggly activities to get them moving, crafts they will love getting into, and real life situations to which they can relate. Our goal is to help each child master one concept at a time by creatively repeating the "bottom line" of the lesson in ways that will make it stick.
Elementary - Older children circle up with a group of kids who will be their small group for the year. The Small Group Leader will help them learn basic truths according to what Jesus modeled in Luke 2:52. See www.252basics.com for more information.
- I need to make the wise choice
- I can trust God no matter what
- I should treat others the way I want to be treated
Creative drama and worship help kids focus on the Bible story, while relevant, hands-on activities provide application in the small groups. Kids participate in a variety of activities, interact with each other, share with their friends and learn from caring adults who build purposeful relationships.
Kids who need to stay for two hours gather in teams at The Warehouse and continue the fun though active, creative learning.
What Parents Should Know
Our primary concern is for the health and safety of your children, and that's why our policies and procedures are so important.
Volunteer Staff - Every volunteer in Kidstown must go through an application process that includes a CORI check, background checks, minimum attendance at Grace Chapel, and personal references. We ensure that their personal faith aligns with the beliefs of our church, and they receive training specific to the age group under their care
Parent Pager Check-In System - Every family is required to check in their child at a computer desk or kiosk to receive an IN Slip that allows them access to their child’s room. Parents of preschool children will receive a pager that will alert them if there child has an issue, and must also check out their child with the pager to receive an OUT Slip that allows them to pick up their child. Elementary children need only to be checked in.
Two-Adult Rule - We require our volunteers to observe a "two-adult rule," which means that at least two adults must be in a room with your child at all times. Should you arrive early before our volunteers and are asked to assist for a short time, please understand.
Volunteer/Child Ratio We require a safe number of adult volunteers to the number of children in a given environment. That ratio is highest in the infant area, and, as the age of the children progresses and they become more self-sufficient, the ratio is adjusted. We prefer not to overcrowd classrooms and ask that you respect this safety measure.
Well Children - Only well children are admitted to a classroom. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of illness such as fever, sniffles, cough, diarrhea, skin eruption or bloody sore, or obvious malaise indicating a possible onset of illness, he/she should be kept home for at least 24 hours after symptoms subside. This helps insure the health of both children and volunteers within an environment.
Cleanliness - Frequent hand washing if required for both volunteers and children. Latex gloves are required when changing a diaper. Toys and equipment are disinfected and all crib liners are changed between uses.
Why We Do It
We believe that our purpose is to partner with families in reaching children so they will know Jesus personally, grow in their faith in him, share their faith, and serve others.
We accomplish this mission by challenging kids to:
- Plug In to God and others through a weekend experience
- Charge Up to be like Christ through a midweek small group
- Live Out their faith in their family environmentJesus wants to be my forever friend
PARENTS: Help your kids live out their faith by:
- Bringing them to Kidstown every Sunday
- Making the most of the "take-home" devotionals
- Committing to the midweek program (elementary only)
- Serving in Kidstown as needed
- Choosing to live like Christ as a family and giving your kids opportunities to see faith in action.
Things important to us:
- Being safe
- Focusing on children's needs
- Seeking to be relevant
- Teaching creatively
- Building relationships
- Having fun
Other Things We Do
Join us at the Family Connection each Wednesday night. Elementary kids can enjoy a night of games, crafts, music and fun. The night starts with dinner at 5:30 in Fellowship Hall, followed by kids programs from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. (Ends May 5, 2010)
- TeamKid - Kindergarten through Grade 2 meets in Room G-10. Boys and girls have a blast making their own snacks, doing drama, playing games, creating crafts, and having fun.
- Breakout for Girls - Grades 3 through 5 meets in Room 9A. Girls circle up with friends, work through a devotional guide called "God & Me," enjoy service projects, crafts, music and fun.
- Stockade for Boys - Grades 3 through 5 meets in Room 9B. A place to make friends, be mentored by men, learn cool stuff, go on weekend retreats, and have fun.
Special programs:
- Child Dedication - Held in November and May. Sunday morning ceremony where parents commit their children and family to following Christ.
- Vacation Bible School - Last week of June. Week-long camp from 9 AM to 12 PM. Games, crafts, worship, music, video, snacks, drama and lots of fun learning about who Jesus is and how to make him a forever friend.
Plug In & Serve
Here are some of the ways you can be a part of the Kidstown experience:
EARLY CHILDHOOD (Birth through Age 5 Pre-K)
Infants
Care for newborn babies through holding, rocking, walking, and loving
Toddlers
Build relationships with young children through storytelling and play
Preschool
Build relationships with preschool children through creative curriculum activities, crafts, music and play
Curriculum Team
Plan lessons and crafts for My First Look curriculum
Bin Buddies
Work behind the scenes and on your own time preparing materials for weekly lessons
Childcare Team
Paid childcare programs for moms who attend weekday ministries like Joy Bible Study and Mom to Mom
ELEMENTARY (Grades K through 5)
Small Group Leaders
Shepherd a group of children, build relationships, and bring application to the lesson through various activities
Drama Team
Lead the large group experience through creative presentation of the Bible story, music, and teaching using scripted material
Worship Team
Lead the large group experience in singing and hand motions, utilizing recordings and CD tracks
Media/Tech Team
Support large group experience through operation of computer graphics, sound board, and theatrical lighting
Midweek Small Group Leaders
Shepherd and mentor a group of children, build relationships, and bring application to the lesson through various activities
Bin Buddies
Work behind the scenes and on your own time preparing materials for weekly lessons
OTHER KIDSTOWN OPPORTUNITIES
Welcome Team
Assist new families with the check-in process and escort them to classrooms on Sunday mornings
Computer Check-In Team
Register new families and check children in and out at a computer stations on Sunday mornings
Special Needs
Help provide one-on-one care for children in Kidstown while parents attend worship
Kidstown is making it easy to volunteer this summer! Our Kidstown programs will be at the 9:30 service hour July 4 through September 5. Are you able to help us this summer?
Kidstown Staff:
Barry O'Brien
Children's Pastor
barry@grace.org
781.862.8351 x 138
Barbara Burrill
Early Childhood Director
bburrill@grace.org
781.862.8351 x 114
Karen Potter
Elementary Director
kpotter@grace.org
781.862.8351 x 128
Debbie Bero
Administrative Assistant
dbero@grace.org
dbero@grace.org
781.862.8351 x 153
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