Our programs are designed to help children discover their gifts and abilities through hands-on learning with age-appropriate activities, crafts, games, music, worship, prayer and Bible study. The goal is to help boys and girls develop leadership skills and grow mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Children's Annual Events

Children and Summer Time

Summer is an active time for our children at First United Methodist Church . We offer the children many opportunities to learn and to be in mission while having fun.

Mission Day Camp

This week-long summer camp for students who have completed 3rd-5th grades provides a variety of service and mission projects around the Baton Rouge area.

Elementary Camps

Two tri-district United Methodist Elementary Camps are offered in the summer at Camp Istrouma, which is located 15 miles northeast of Baton Rouge on Highway 37 in Greenwell Springs. This camping program is designed to develop an awareness of and appreciation for God’s creation and our place in it. The camp fosters opportunities for Christian worship and fellowship, and provides experiences in living in a Christian community.

Vacation Bible School

Through storytelling, arts, crafts, and music the children learn how God works through them to fulfill God’s plan of caring for others. The children will explore Jesus’ teachings that show how God’s love can transform, so they, as children, can be in Christian ministry.

Easter Walk

Each Spring, the First Church family gathers to have fun outdoors and celebrate God’s creation at the annual Easter Walk. Adults enjoy the time of fellowshipping together in God’s great outdoors, youth enjoy hiding the eggs and helping with the scavenger hunt, and children (toddlers through fifth grade) enjoy the numerous activities including an Easter Symbol Scavenger Hunt, the “Balloon Man,” pony rides, face painting and an egg hunt. Everyone brings their baskets and a blanket for the picnic that follows. It is a great day of fun in God’s beautiful world!

Fall Festival

This safe and fun alternative to Trick-or-Treating is held each year on a Sunday evening close to All Saint’s Eve. Everyone (adults, youth and children) comes in costume and experiences an evening of games, food and fellowship in our transformed gym. A wonderful carnival atmosphere prevails as children play games at the Duck Pond, Pumpkin Patch, Sift for Gold, Squirt the Pumpkin, Cookie Walk, Basketball Throw, Football Throw, Ring Toss, Can Crash and Haystack. There is face painting and Thumbprint Art. Hot Dogs and soft drinks are for sale.

Turkey Trot

This annual day of fun finds our kindergartners through fifth graders spending a day of fun.  It is a wonderful day of learning about some of God’s creatures, as children ride the ponies, milk cows and pet many more animals. A highlight of the day is the hayride.

Holiday Helpers

As a ministry to parents, First Church has a special day for infants through fifth graders to come and enjoy fellowship and planned activities while parents have some time for their own shopping and other plans. Infants will be loved and cared for in our nursery while toddlers through kindergarten will participate in arts and crafts projects, special Christmas videos, and caroling. First through fifth graders travel by bus to participate in a special activity, then return to the church for lunch and afternoon activities.

For more information on Children’s Programming, Rebecca Ryan Mitchell at 225-383-4777, ext. 239.