Ugly Sweater Party
We are having a Christmas party that will include dessert, games, and Christmas songs. Students are encouraged but not required to wear an ugly Christmas sweater.
Open Gym
It’s MLK Day and kids are home from school! This is a time of year when kids get stir-crazy, so we’re opening the Valley Community Center gym for middle schoolers in the afternoon. We’ll have basketball, dodgeball, and Nine Square in the gym plus an art activity in the Café!
Winter Blast Retreat
It’s time to get away and spend an entire weekend with other students and staff from the Valley Middle School Ministry. We will drive up to Hidden Acres and spend the weekend playing snow games, attending exciting chapels and creating some really fun memories.
Parent Connect
Middle School and High School students AND their parents are invited to this special Sunday morning program. This morning is designed for parents and students to experience together. We promise to make it worth your time!
Night To Shine Service Opportunity
Night To Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for guests who have special needs or disabilities. This is a great opportunity to show God’s love through service! Middle school students can sign up to be a pre-prom buddy, part of the paparazzi and grand march, a food server, or a dance buddy, among other things.
Family Dinner
Family Dinner is an opportunity for families to connect with other families from Valley Church., This event is specifically designed for parents who are looking to join a Valley Church Life Group. Families will be able to eat lunch with other families. Then the kids will go play in the gym and adults will have a few minutes to connect and explore what it’s like to possibly be in a Life Group.
Staff Scavenger Hunt
Our favorite middle school staff members will be dressed up in disguise. Your mission is to travel around Valley West Mall and find them hiding among the crowds. After that we’ll go back to the Valley Community Center to hang out and have some more fun. Please note that drop off is at Valley Church and pick up is at the Valley Community Center.
Friend Night
Friends are important, especially when you’re in middle school! At Friend Night we will celebrate friendships and talk about how to be a good friend. This is a great chance for students to invite friends who don’t normally go to church.
Open Gym
Not traveling anywhere during spring break? Come hang out with us in the middle of the week! We’ll have basketball, dodgeball, and Nine Square in the gym plus an art activity in the Café!
MS 678Â
One night. Three separate gatherings. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will each be meeting at a different location for dinner, fun, and bonding as a grade group. Specific location for each grade is TBD. Check back soon for more details!
5th Grade Parent MeetingÂ
This meeting will be for parents of students who will be joining the Middle School Ministry in June 2020. Parents will be able to meet middle school staff, learn how students can make a smooth transition into the Middle School Ministry, and ask questions.
Staff Appreciation NightÂ
All middle school students are invited to come celebrate our volunteer leaders. This is a special night dedicated to the adults and high schoolers who have served in the Middle School Ministry this past school year. We love our volunteers!
Small Group NightÂ
This is a special Wednesday night where students will do an activity just with their small group. Small group leaders will organize and lead the activities for each group. Drop off and pick up is at Valley Community Center unless communicated otherwise by your child’s small group leader.
7th Grade Camp Day
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.
8th Grade Celebration
All middle school students and leaders are invited to come celebrate our 8th grade students. We will have fun, take a walk down memory lane, and eat a tasty dessert!
5th & 6th Grade Early Out Party
West Des Moines schools have an Early Out this day, so we’ll be open right after school gets out! All 5th and 6th grade students are invited to join us and we especially hope to see students from Jordan Creek Elementary. We’ll have snacks and play games in the gym.
8th Grade Vacay
It’s time for our 8th graders to have one last hurrah in the Middle School Ministry! We will spend a night at the indoor water park at the Ramada Tropics Resort in Des Moines. We will have large-group discussions that will prepare students for their transition into the Valley High School Ministry. 8th Grade Move-Up into High School is on Sunday, May 31. 8th graders will also have the chance to begin connecting with High School Ministry staff.
Move-up Sunday
The Middle School Ministry is excited to welcome our newest members! New 6th grade students should go to West Central Station at the beginning of the 9:30 service hour on May 31. At some point they will be whisked away by middle school students and leaders to the Valley Community Center. We will make sure the new students receive a warm welcome!
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