We take very seriously the privilege of caring for your children while you worship, attend Sunday School classes, or serve our church family on Sunday morning. We believe that loving, nurturing experiences in the Nursery and Toddler Room are important to set the tone for future experiences at church. Even at this young age, children can begin learning about the love of God through loving care givers in a safe, nurturing environment. We are committed to making your child’s experiences in the Nursery welcoming and Christ-centered.

The Nursery and Toddler Rooms are located on the first floor of the Barnabas Center, rooms 105 and 104, respectively. Care givers arrive 15 minures before the starting time for the service.

Babies may come to the Nursery at six weeks of age. Children are promoted to the Toddler Room at about age one.

Silent pagers, which send a vibrating signal if you are needed, are available for parents in your child's room.

Sunday School classes are offered every Sunday for children 2 years old through 6th grade at both services. A class for children with special needs is available during the second service in Barnabas Center, room 204. Sunday School classes are held in the Barnabas Center with the exception of the 6th grade at 9:15 a.m. which is held in the Tweens room in the lower level of the Ministry Center.

It is our belief that Children's Ministries is in partnership with the parents of children and with the other ministries of CHPC to support and encourage them in training and teaching their children in the way of the Lord. We have a separate Bible-based curriculum which accompanies the regular Sunday School curriculum. We encourage parents to reinforce these curricular objectives at home.

Every Sunday morning, children will worship, pray, participate in a Bible lesson, and learn how to apply that lesson to daily living. A follow-up sheet for family discussion at home is available for each child as a take-home resource. Our vision is to create a loving, Christ-centered environment so that every child will grow in worship and praise of God and will come to know and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Families are encouraged to worship together for an entire service and then attend classes or serve during the alternate service time.

 

Three C's Nursery School is a co-operative pre-school program with classes for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and pre-Kindergarten children. 3 C's is a ministry of our church and meets school days at the Barnabas Center. (Classes are Christ-centered and encourage socialization skills developed through a developmentally planned environment.) Parents serve as helpers in the classroom and are encouraged to participate in other teaching opportunities within the church. For information, contact Jenny Smith, Director, at 541-5676.

Child care is available for those groups (e.g. Bible studies, small groups, Strategy for Mothers) meeting on campus during the day or evening. Reservations are needed and may be made by the ministry area responsible for the activity.

Sit with a group of women, share ideas and concerns, and enjoy some refreshments. The purpose of Strategy for Mothers is to affirm and encourage mothers in their relationships with God, their husbands, their children, and one another through Biblical teaching, practical appreciation, and small group interaction. Speakers promise to be inspiring and uplifting as well as practical and personal. Each week, we worship together, share family ideas, positive parenting pointers, and upcoming events and activities to encourage us as mothers and wives. We meet from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Nursery and child care is available.

Tweens is a ministry specifically for sixth graders. This is a "bridge" between elementary school and junior high with a program planned for the sixth graders to grow spiritually by serving the Lord. The format includes worship and service, fun and games, and food and fellowship.

Tweens meet in their own meeting room, Ministry Center, rooms D - E, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

 

Choir School provides a creative, fun atmosphere for students to be trained in worship and in the performing arts. Choir School meets on Tuesdays through the school year from 6:45 - 8 p.m. and is open to children from age 4 through 6th grade. A one-week Choir School Music Camp is offered in August where children have the opportunity to prepare a full concert presentation. Serving in worship ministry, gaining performance experience, learning about teamwork, and making new friends make Choir School an unforgettable experience for all children.

Reaching out to our community with a free, after school tutoring ministry, Treehouse Tutoring meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5 p.m. in the lower level of the Ministry Center. Children in 1st through 6th grades are given a chance to "unwind" after school by playing a few games or making a craft. They are introduced to a Bible concept, receive a snack, and spend the last hour in tutoring. Our tutors range in age from 15 to 80; so, if you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, please call Sarah Wilcox or the Children's Ministries office, or e-mail Sarah at erbaugs@email.uc.edu.

Mini-Camp is a one-week morning program in June for children age 3 through Kindergarten. Each morning, the children participate in a Bible story, singing, crafts, and age-appropriate activities all based on a Biblical theme. This camp is held on CHPC's campus. We encourage children to bring friends and neighbors to summer camp!

Day Camp is a one-week program in June meeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children 1st through 6th grade. Each day, the children participate in a Bible story, singing, crafts, and activities related to our theme for the week. After lunch, the children have fun participating in planned recreational activities such as large group games, relays, and water sports. This camp is held on CHPC's campus.

2nd/3rd Grade Overnight Camping is a wonderful first camping experience for 2nd and 3rd graders. Boys and girls arrive at camp for lunch, enjoy planned outdoor activities, campfire devotions, and songs and skits before spending one evening of camping. These special activities help the younger campers to prepare for the week-long junior camp offered to them when they are 4th - 6th graders.

Junior Resident Camp is a one-week summer program held off campus at the Higher Ground campgrounds in West Harrison, Indiana. Swimming, hiking, archery, great food, hayrides, campfires, creeking, great memories, new friends, blue skies, God's Word, and God's world are all waiting for your 4th through 6th grader at our Junior Resident Camp! Many of our counselors are past campers! All receive training and resources through our ministry area. Scholarships are available. Watch for information in the Bell Tower News or the Sunday School newsletter.

 

Please consult our Sunday Worship Guides, Children’s Ministries newsletters, or In the Shadow... for specific dates.

 

Contact the Children and Families staff for more information about these or any other events, or see the Children and Families announcements from This Week at College Hill Presbyterian Church.