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Sunday Evenings
6:00 – 8:00 pm

8th GRADE QUEST

  • Cost: $20
  • West Central Station – lower level of Valley Church
  • Meeting Dates:
    • May 5 (off-site: Final Quest Party, located at 3725 Commerce Dr
      West Des Moines, IA 50265—Ari Raridon’s house)

Quest is a class for 8th graders that meets twice a month on Sunday nights. In Quest, we dig deep and learn the basics of Christian theology in a large group setting. We cover topics like God, sin, Jesus, the Bible, and salvation. Basically, we explore why we believe what we believe. This class is deeper and more intellectual than our regular Wednesday night and Sunday morning programs. The registration cost helps to pay for a workbook that students will be given on the first night. Students should bring a paper copy of the Bible and a writing utensil for every session. Questions? Email joe at joeb@valley.church. Eat dinner before you come.

SIGN UP TO PROVIDE FOOD AT FINAL QUEST PARTY
Wednesday, May 1
6:30 – 8:00 pm

VOLUNTEER DINNER (FOR VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR FAMILIES)

  • Wednesday, May 1
  • 6:30-8:00 pm
  • Joe & Marcy Budish’s home (500 Knoll Dr in Norwalk)
  • Rain Backup Location: Valley Community Center

There is no student programming this night. This event is only for weekly middle school volunteers and their families. We will honor and celebrate their amazing service throughout the past school year!

Register for Volunteer Appreciation Night
Starting Wednesday, May 1
6:30 – 8:00 pm

TREASURED STUDY (Current 5th Grade Girls)

  • Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 PM
  • Start Date: May 1
  • Other meeting dates: May 8, 29 and June 5, 12, 19
  • Courtyard Hall East at Valley Church
  • Cost is $25 for the journal and supplies
  • Register by April 28

We are excited to invite all moms and their 5th grade daughters to Treasured, a study to connect moms and tween daughters. Treasured will focus on the following critical issues for girls in the preteen phase: identity, body image, emotions, friendships, technology and faith. This study is a great way to initiate important conversations and help moms and daughters navigate this season together, strengthening the bond between them.

Register for Treasured
Saturday, May 4
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

7TH GRADE CAMP DAY

  • Cost: $45
  • Wildwood Hills Ranch
  • Lunch is provided
  • Register by Sunday, April 28
  • Drop off & pick up at Valley Church
  • Wear close-toed shoes

It’s time for 7th grade students to prepare to be the oldest class in the Middle School Ministry! All 7th graders are invited to spend an afternoon participating in the low ropes leadership experience at Wildwood Hills, a camp about 30 minutes south of Des Moines. Students will go through a variety of challenges that will help them grow their communication, team-building, and leadership skills. Afterward, we’ll have a few hours of free time at camp. The cost includes lunch, transportation, the low ropes fee, and a snack.

Register for 7th Grade Camp Day
Sunday, May 5
9:30 – 10:45 am

8th GRADE FAITH STORIES

  • Valley Community Center Gym
  • No RSVP required; just show up

8th grade students will share their faith story during our Sunday morning program. We want all 6th, 7th and 8th graders to attend our Sunday morning program as normal. Parents, friends, and family of 8th grade students are also invited to attend!

Wednesday, May 15
6:30 – 8:00 pm

5th GRADE HOME VISITS 

  • Incoming 7th & 8th graders: Pick up & drop off is at Valley Church

During this fun event, incoming 7th and 8th grade students will greet soon-to-be 6th graders at their homes. We will greet you, get to know you a little bit and share a gift!

Incoming 6th grade parents: By completing this registration, you are committing to being at your home with your incoming 6th grader on Wednesday, May 15.

Incoming 7th & 8th grade students: By completing this registration, you are committing to joining the team to go visit incoming 6th graders.

Registration for Current 5th GradersRegistration for Current 6th & 7th Graders
Friday, May 31 – Saturday, June 1
4:00 pm – 11:00 am

8th GRADE VACAY (FOR STUDENTS FINISHING 8TH GRADE)

  • Cost: $40/person (covers 2 meals, transportation, lodging and swimming)
  • Drop off at Valley Church: Friday, May 31 at 4:00 pm
  • Pick up at Valley Church: Saturday, June 1 at 11:00 am
  • Register by Sunday, May 26

It’s time for our 8th graders to have one last hurrah in the Middle School Ministry! We will swim, eat dinner, stay overnight, and prepare for the transition into the Valley High School Ministry (8th Grade Move-Up into High School is Sunday, June 2). 8th graders will also have the chance to begin connecting with High School Ministry staff.

Register for 8th Grade Vacay (students finishing 8th grade)
Sunday, June 2
9:30 – 10:45 am

MOVE-UP SUNDAY

  • Valley Community Center
  • No RSVP required

The Middle School Ministry is excited to welcome our newest members! New 6th graders should come to the Valley Community Center Gym at 9:30, along with new 7th and 8th graders. We will make sure the new students receive a warm welcome!

Wednesday, June 5
9:00 – 11:00 am

KRISPY KREME DONUT DROP-IN

  • Stop in anytime between 9-11 am
  •  West Des Moines Krispy Kreme – 206 Jordan Creek Pkwy
  • Cost: Free
  • No RSVP required; just stop by

Joe and Jodi will be hanging out at Krispy Kreme in West Des Moines! You, your parents, siblings, and friends can all stop by and get a free donut anytime between 9 and 11 am. You can stay for as much or as little time as you can. Even if you just pop in to say hi and grab a free donut, we’d love to see you! We’ll bring some card games to play if you want to stay.

Monday, June 10; Tuesday, June 11 & Thursday, June 13
9:00 – 12:00 noon (Thursday until 1:00 pm)

LOVE YOU DES MOINES DAYS SERVICE TEAM 

  • Cost: $20 (helps cover cost of snacks & Thursday lunch)
  • Bring your own lunch on Monday & Tuesday
  • Open to students entering 7th & 8th grade in fall 2024
  • Registration limited to 20 students
  • Team celebration on June 13 from noon – 1:00pm

We’re looking for middle school students who are willing to roll up their sleeves, love our community, and serve during Love You Des Moines Days! Our middle school team will meet each morning for training and pep talk, then we’ll help with various Love You Des Moines Days activities for about 90 minutes, then end our time with lunch and some team-building each day. We’ll have a final team celebration on Thursday from noon – 1 pm. Registration is limited to 20 students. Are you in 6th grade or can’t be on the Service Team? We encourage you to sign up with your parents to help at one activity during Love You Des Moines Days!

Registration coming soon
Tuesday, June 18
1:00 – 4:00 pm

SWIMMING @ VALLEY VIEW AQUATIC CENTER

  • Cost: $6 for age 12 and under; $9 for age 13+; plus extra money for snacks
  • No RSVP required; just show up!

Join us for swimming at Holiday Park in West Des Moines! You can come and go anytime between 1 and 4 pm. Jodi or Joe will be just inside the main entrance to show you where to go. They have water slides, a diving board, a lazy river and more!

Tuesday, June 25
7:00 – 9:00 pm

NIGHT AT THE VCC

  • Cost: Free
  • No RSVP required; just show up!

Join us for a night of fun at the Valley Community Center. Students will travel around to different stations with their grades. Activities will include capture the flag, relay races, gym games and a snack.

Thursday, July 11
9:30 am – 5:00 pm

ADVENTURELAND

  • Cost: $50
  • Bring extra $$$ for lunch
  • Drop off and pick up at Adventureland
  • RSVP by Tuesday, July 9
  • Optional: Bring a swimsuit and towel for Adventure Bay

Enjoy the rides all day with your friends and leaders! Admission to the Adventure Bay water park is included. If students want to swim, they can bring a swim suit. Guys – No speedos. Girls – Wear a one-piece or a two-piece suit with a dark t-shirt on top. Email michelles@valley.church if you need help with transportation.

For students who already have a season pass or will be obtaining a ticket elsewhere, please register and use the promo code PASS. This will allow you to register at a steep discounted rate. There will still be a nominal fee of $10 to help with adult chaperone fees.

Please note that Adventureland is cashless, although we can help students operate machines that convert cash to cards at no charge.

Registration coming soon
Tuesday, July 16
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

LET’S HAVE A BALL!

  • Cost: Free
  • Valley View Park (225 88th Street in West Des Moines)
  • No RSVP required; just show up!

Join us for a day filled with outdoor activities! At Valley View Park, you’ll have the option to play pickleball, sand volleyball, or basketball. We’ll provide equipment but  you’re also allowed to bring your own if you want.

Tuesday, July 23
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

WALNUT WOODS

  • Cost: Free
  • Drop off and pick up at Walnut Woods State Park (3155 Walnut Woods Drive in West Des Moines)
  • No RSVP required; just show up!
  • Bring your own lunch; we’ll provide dessert

Join us for a hike and fun nature-themed activities at Walnut Woods State Park! We recommend sunscreen, bug spray, water and close-toed shoes, in addition to bringing your own lunch.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, Aug. 6-8
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

6th GRADE BOOT CAMP

  • Cost: $20
  • RSVP by August 4
  • Valley Church Student Ministries Room
  • Bring your own lunch on Tuesday & Wednesday; we will serve dessert each day
  • We will buy pizza on Thursday!

No, this is not like army boot camp. This is a laid-back, relaxed, fun place for 6th graders (fall of 2024) to spend some time together before the school year starts. We will play games and have a short talk about things like school, friends, and peer pressure. We will also eat lunch together (bring your own lunch) and spend time connecting as a 6th grade class.

Registration coming soon
Wednesday, August 14
7:00 – 9:00 pm

GRADE NIGHT

  • Cost: Free
  • Each grade is at a different house (specific locations TBD)

Grade Night is a chance for students to hang out with other students from their grade. We’ll have games, snacks, and other fun activities!