Our Vision

We believe that Jesus' wonderful promise of giving us "life in all its fullness" applies not just to adults but also to kids! Our hope is to raise up connected people: connected to God, to ourselves, and to the world around us. God-discovery and self-discovery are intimately intertwined and best nurtured in the context of community with a strong sense of belonging. We provide a safe space for this kind of exploration - where kids & youth can wonder, explore, and encounter God together. Play the video below to get a feel of a typical Sunday in our RiverKids program.  

Key Elements of RiverKids Include:

• Interactive Storytime: We see stories as a special meeting place for kids to enter in and interact with Jesus. Our storytellers often use beautiful visual aids to set the stage. Children love the storytime and openly share with others as they wonder about God and explore their own feelings and thoughts rather than arrive at pre-determined conclusions.  
• Questions: We ask open-ended questions and welcome and encourage questions from children. We value the process that kids go through to wrestle with important matters of faith, so we don't rush to provide pat answers. Rather, we hope to equip them with skills to continue the process of inquiry as they move forward on their spiritual journeys.
• Spiritual Exercises: We regularly open time for kids to experience God for themselves through various spiritual exercises like mindfulness, imagination, reflective quiet time. Through the use of our bodies, voices, and imaginations, we give God the chance to interact with and step closer to us.
• Fun: We believe fun is the love language of children! When kids have fun they are affirmed in who they are. It is also when they are having fun that the deepest discovery and learning happens, sometimes even without our knowing.

What to Expect on Sunday Morning:
Our program is organized into different age groups. Each group is staffed with at least two volunteers. (We run background checks for all volunteers who work with kids and youth.)  You can drop off your kids any time after 10:15AM on Sunday.

First-time families will be asked to register their children, by filling out a registration form, before dropping their children off in their age-appropriate groups.

• The Nursery 
  Ages 0-2½. 10:30AM. 8th floor.
  Volunteers provide childcare.
  
  
• Preschool Class
  Ages 2½ -4. 10:30AM. 8th floor.
  The Preschool Class starts with unstructured playtime to help the kids settle in and engage right away. After a light snack, the kids participate in songs and movements, interactive storytime, and activities that include acting out stories, drawing, painting, games, and reading.
   
• Elementary School Class
  Grades K-4. 10:30AM. 8th floor.
  The Elementary School Class begins with a Large Group time where the kids participate in unstructured free play, songs, and movements. The kids then split into age-appropriate Small Groups. These are led by volunteer Leaders who are there to tell stories, facilitate discussions, help out with activities, and form relationships with the kids. This setting provides familiarity and connections for the kids with their peers and with caring grown-ups. Small Group activities often include arts, games, drama, and discussions. 
  
  
• RiverYouth
  Grades 5-9. 10:30AM. Basement Gym.
  We love youth! We focus on building a safe and fun community while engaging them in questions of life and faith. Above all, we want to create space and opportunity for them to experience Jesus directly in the midst of their changing worlds. Our group time is designed to engage the kids spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally during this transitional stage of their development.  Questions about youth?  Please contact alison@riverNYC.org.