DBC loves grade schoolers! Our goal is to provide a loving and secure environment for the children to learn to love God, love others, and enjoy church. Trained teachers nurture and guide your children with age-appropriate activities and songs and Bible studies that provide a basis for spiritual growth. We know that you as parents are responsible for the spiritual growth of your children. We want to assist you in that process by the following:

• Providing Bible study for children in Kindergarten, 1st-3rd and 4th-6th grades
• Encouraging family devotions
• Teaching your children to pray
• Guiding your children as they decide to become Christians

Feel free to pick up any of the parenting magazines we have available in the hallway for many new ideas to help you in these areas. From time to time, we may suggest books or special classes or events.

What you need to know
Locations
Kindergarten: Room 306
1st - 3rd grade: Room 307A
4th - 6th grade: Room 307B

Schedule
Sunday Morning
Bible Study Hours:  9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Fellowship Time:  10:30 - 10:55 a.m.
Worship:  9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night
6:30 pm - 7:30 p.m.

Special Events

• Parents Night Out - Once a quarter, childcare is available on a Saturday evening for several hours to allow you parents a night out. Childcare is provided for children ages newborn through 6th grade.
• Parenting Workshops - Throughout the year, we provide conferences to enhance your parenting skills with childcare available.
• Children’s Retreat - Usually in the spring, we take a one-night sleep-over retreat for our 1st-6th graders. Parents are invited to come with our youngest ones; it is a great experience to see them worship and play and sleep in a bunk bed!
• Terrific Tuesdays - During the summer, interns plan events for each Tuesday. This is a great break for the kids and a terrific fun time!
• Vacation Bible School - It is held during the summer.
• Pumpkin Patch - In October, we head to Cox’s Farm for a great time with hayrides and hay slides, and apples and fun.
• Walk Thru Bethlehem - In December, plan to come and see the manger, pet animals, make a craft, and have a snack. Great fun for your whole family!

212 KidzPak (Grades 1 - 6)
Downtown is experiencing a healthy, consistently growing children's population! On Wednesday evenings at 212 KidzPak, we use their creative energies to praise and serve God in a variety of ways. Music, drama, puppets, movement, visual art, games, and guest entertainers, combined with field trips, make this an awesome ministry to our children. Children are encouraged to invite their friends to this variety "pak" of fun and learning.

For more information, contact:
Susan Manship
Minister of Music & Senior Adults
703.549.5080
smanship@downtownbaptist.org

CentriKid Camp
This year our 3rd through 6th graders headed to CentriKid at Skycroft Conference Center in Maryland. We had a blast at the child friendly camp that is filled with fun experiences led by the neatest young adults who love to work with children. Worship is age-appropriate; the cafeteria gives plenty of choices; and the lodging is just fine. It is camp! Each day is packed with choice classes and fun events. We swim, hike, make things, meet lots of new kids, and have a great time doing it.

The cost last year was $130. Quite a bargain! We are less than two hours away, so it is a good distance for sleep away camp. Parents are welcome to go as counselors. Dates are usually in late June or early July.

Is your child asking about baptism?
It is natural for your child to begin asking about becoming a Christian, taking the Lord’s Supper, baptism, etc. Answer what you think they are capable of understanding. When the questions continue, contact Carolyn Jenkins, our Minister of Christian Education, for a brochure that helps children understand more. For further discussion, Carolyn is willing and eager to talk about salvation or church membership with your child in a non-threatening, exploring way that is appropriate for their age.

For more information contact:
Carolyn Jenkins
Minister of Christian Education
703.549.6531
cjenkins@downtownbaptist.org 

Helping Your Child Worship
Worship is an excellent opportunity to train your children spiritually. Your enthusiasm and excitement over the service will help them learn as they model after your worship patterns.

Some suggestions:

• Remember, we were all young once; this is a learning time.
• Arrange your weekend schedule for children to get a good night’s sleep on Saturday. Having church clothes chosen and out for ease in dressing will help, too.
• Take children to the restroom and for water before the service begins.
• Choose seats where your child can see what is going on. Introduce him/her to others nearby.
• Help your child to find the Bible passage and the hymns in advance for ease in participation during worship. If your child needs an age-appropriate Bible, contact Carolyn Jenkins.
• Have your child stand, sit, sing and pray during the first part of the service. Whisper teaching moments about what is going on during baptism or the Lord’s Supper.
• Let your child put coins in an offering envelope to put into the offering plate. Whisper what it is used for.
• Save the worship bag (available in the stairwell) until the sermon starts. This will keep your child occupied longer!
• Help your child understand that leaving the service, even for a legitimate reason, still disrupts worship.

Parents, relax and see this as your opportunity to raise your child in the faith! Your family is important here!

How can you help?
Volunteer to help with our K-6 grade classes. We always need substitutes on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. 

For more information contact:
Carolyn Jenkins
Minister of Christian Education
703.549.6531
cjenkins@downtownbaptist.org