Kid Central

At Kid Central, our goal is to partner with families to raise kids who know, love, and serve Christ.

Special COVID-19 Updates

Due to the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, our current church activities and events are being adjusted.

To see a full update on how COVID-19 is impacting Kid Central and to access various resources our team is providing to parents and families, please click the button below.

UPDATES & INFO

Getting Started

We make check-in as easy as 1-2-3…

1. Get Registered

If you’re a first-time guest, we’ll want you to sign up at our Welcome Center Desk. Your child will receive a name tag and you’ll receive a pick-up tag. Pick-up tags are just one of the ways we provide a safe environment for our kids.

2. Check-In Tags

Our check-in tags have numbers printed on them. This is how our Kid Central staff can communicate with a child’s family during the service. If there is ever an issue or your child needs you, the number on your pick-up tag will be displayed on our Worship Center screens.

3. Pick Up

After the service, parents present their pick-up tag to the teacher in the classroom to pick up your child. If you lose your pick-up tag, just stop at the Kid Central welcome desk for assistance.

Questions?

If you have questions, please look for someone in the Children’s Ministry area wearing a red lanyard. They are always happy to help! Or, if you have questions before your visit to Central, email our Children’s Pastor, Jon Smithback.

What does Kid Central look like?

Infants

The infant room is designed for babies ranging from 6 weeks old to confidently walking. The infant room is staffed by no less than 1 volunteer for every 3 babies. While in the infant room, your baby will receive careful attention, loving playtime, and prayer.

3-Year-Olds

The 3-Year-Old room is designed for potty-trained 3-year-olds. In the 3-Year-Old room, kids will start to experience worship time, Bible story lessons & videos, and crafts. Your child will stay in the 3-Year-Old room until the promotion Sunday after their 4th birthday.

Toddlers

The toddler room is designed for children who are confidently walking up to age 2 years old. The toddler room is staffed by no less than 1 volunteer for every 4 kids. In the toddler room, your child will start to hear Bible stories and enjoy fun toys and activities.

4 & 5-Year-Olds

The 4 & 5-Year-Old room is for kids ranging from age 4 until the fall before they start kindergarten. In the 4 & 5-Year-Old room, children will experience worship, Bible story lessons & videos, small group time, and will no longer be getting a snack.

2-Year-Olds

The 2-Year-Old room is for children who have turned 2 up to 3-year-olds who are potty trained. The 2-Year-Old room is staffed with 1 volunteer for every 6 children. In the 2-Year-Old room, your child will hear a Bible story, eat a snack, and start exploring the world of crafts.

Elementary Kids

The elementary area is designed for children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. In the elementary area, children are divided not only by grade level, but also by gender. Our goal is for your child to start building a bond with their small group leader. Many of our small group leaders will stay with their kids until they graduate from high school.

Elementary offers large group worship, small group lessons, and fun hangout time.

Kid Central Special Events

Child Dedications

We are deeply committed to helping parents as they strive to raise their children in a way that brings God honor. We offer child dedication services as a special time of public ceremony and personal commitment when parents can promise to raise their child in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Next dedication date: July 19, 2020

To have your child dedicated, please complete the following steps.

Click the button below to register for our next child dedication ceremony.
Sign up for a child dedication class. Classes are Sunday, July 12 at either the 9:30 or 11:00am services in room 132A.
Write a parental blessing (100 words or less) and submit to [email protected] no later than one week prior to the ceremony.

We’ll contact you with more details after we receive your registration form. If you have any other questions, CLICK HERE to email our Kid Central team.

I’m Interested!

Children’s Baptisms

At Central, we believe the Bible teaches that a child receives salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus. Personal faith and salvation are not passed down from parent to child, and salvation isn’t the result of participating in a baptism. Instead, baptism is an opportunity for followers of Jesus to tell others they have joined God’s family through personal faith.

Here’s what else you can do for your child to be baptized:

Click here for details on our next baptism celebration. (PLEASE NOTE: due to the current health situation with COVID-19/Coronavirus, we are waiting to determine when we will hold our next baptism celebration. Please check back later for more details.)
Contact our Children’s Pastor, Jon Smithback, to let him know you’re interested in learning more about baptism.
Attend a mandatory baptism class with your child (baptism class info will be available soon)

We will contact you with more details after Jon receives your email expressing your child’s interest in being baptized.

Summer Children’s Ministries

Skill School

Every year, kids who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade will spend a week practicing fun skills, learning about Jesus, and experiencing an unforgettable week of camp right here at Central.

Due to the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, we are sad to say that we’re unable to hold Skill School this summer. Instead, we will be putting together other fun resources and opportunities for fun this summer. Please check back on this page for more details as they develop!

Eagle Lake Day Camp

Eagle Lake Day Camp is for kids age 7-12 and comes to Central every summer. This past year was a blast, and we’re already looking forward to Eagle Lake next summer at our Southwest Campus.

Eagle Lake offers a combination of ministry, counselor relationships, and an exciting camp experience. Inflatables, rock climbing, gaga ball, and other high-energy activities are only the beginning. There’s also plenty of one-on-one care with counselors who invest in the individual needs of each child.

Eagle Lake is a new adventure every year, and we are pumped to see what next year brings. Here are the details for our upcoming Eagle Lake camp:

Southwest Campus: July 6-10 | Register Here

Kid Central Volunteers

The volunteers at Central are such a vital part of the Kid Central ministry. All of our volunteers have gone through a careful interview process, including a background check and special training. It is our commitment to you as a children’s ministry team to give your child the best experience we can while they are here.

If you have an interest in serving as a volunteer in Kid Central, just click the button below. And if you have any questions, just send an email to our Kid Central team at [email protected].

I’m interested in volunteering!

Staff

Jon Smithback
Children's Pastor

[email protected]
(605) 275-1668

Shirlene Wheeler
Interim Elementary Director

(605) 336-3378
[email protected]ralsf.org

Marianne Mergen
Next Gen Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

Kid Central

Special COVID-19 Updates

Getting Started

What does Kid Central look like?

Kid Central Special Events

Child Dedications

Children’s Baptisms

Central Jam Children’s Choir

Central Jam Calendar

Summer Children’s Ministries

Skill School

Eagle Lake Day Camp

Kid Central Volunteers

Staff

Jon Smithback

Jon Smithback

Shirlene Wheeler

Shirlene Wheeler

Marianne Mergen

Marianne Mergen

Southwest Campus

Downtown Campus

Contact Us

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