Raising Up Generations of Hope Carriers

At Valley Creek, we believe our kids are Gen Hope – a generation defined by the hope of Jesus. We believe kids have the ability to influence and lead their generation for Jesus and toward Jesus. We don’t just believe they’ll change the world some day; we know they can change their world today. That’s why we have Kids Leadership Experience.

Applications Open through July 31

What is kids leadership experience?

Kids Leadership Experience is a nine-month journey where 4th and 5th graders will grow in becoming a disciple of Jesus and learn to lead themselves and others through weekly and monthly interactive experiences.

Throughout the experience, kids will practice their faith by completing a training plan designed to help them grow in character and personhood and form lifelong habits of a leader. Each kid will be a part of a team, called a pod, that’s led by two coaches.

What Does the Experience Look like?

Wednesdays

On the first Wednesday of each month, kids will come together at their campus from 6pm-7:30pm. They'll have fun, engage in foundational teachings, and participate in hands-on leadership labs. Pizza and water will be provided.

Sundays

Every Sunday, kids will huddle with their coach 30 minutes before their assigned service time to continue to unpack the monthly topic and work through their training plan as a pod.

Training Plan

Throughout the experience, kids will complete a training plan with spiritual practices to help them grow as a disciple of Jesus. Some will be done together as a pod, and some will be done at home or throughout the week. Examples include memorizing Scripture, learning how to pray, and carrying hope.

Expectations & Commitments

In the kingdom of God, faithfulness matters and commitment counts. This experience is highly relational and team-based, which means that consistency and active participation are important and absences are significant. We believe Jesus wants to do so much in and through your kids, and we don’t want them to miss out on any of it!

Saying “yes” to this experience is committing to:

  • Engaging in a minimum of 75% of all gatherings and experiences
  • Arriving on time with their pen, Bible, and Kids Leadership journal
  • Actively participating in each experience
  • Memorizing monthly Scriptures
  • Completing all practices and activities as part of their monthly training plan

If kids are unable to consistently meet these expectations and commitments at any point during the year, they are making the choice to remove themselves from Kids Leadership Experience.

Cost

There’s a one-time, $75 application fee ($150 family maximum) which will cover the cost of the experience, food each month, journal, Bible, bag, and Kids Leadership Experience shirt.

Everything we do flows from the four truths we want kids to discover, experience, and remember:

2024-2025 TOPICS

The Bible

Forgiveness and Grace

Worship

Prayer

Creation

The People Of God

The Kingdom of God

Hope Carrier

2024-2025 Dates

Weekend Experiences:

Sundays from August 18-May 4

Monthly Leader Experiences:
  • Wednesday, September 4
  • Wednesday, October 2
  • Wednesday, November 6
  • Wednesday, December 4
  • Wednesday, January 8*
  • Wednesday, February 5
  • Wednesday, March 5
  • Wednesday, April 2
  • Wednesday, May 7 – Final Gathering and Awards Celebration

*The January experience will be on the second Wednesday of the month

Additional Dates:
  • Saturday, August 17 – Experience Kickoff (required)
    • Kids: 8:30am-12pm
    • Parents: 8:30am-9:30am
  • Sunday, August 18 – First Sunday Huddle
  • Saturday, November 16 – Next Gen Serve Day
  • Saturday, March 1 – Team Day

These dates are tentative and subject to change.

Frequently asked questions

Kids Leadership Experience is a nine-month journey where 4th and 5th graders will grow in becoming a disciple of Jesus and learn to lead themselves and others through weekly and monthly interactive experiences.

This is for 4th and 5th grade kids who are raising their hand to say, “I want to grow as a disciple of Jesus! I want to rearrange my life around Him and have leaders in my life coach me and help mold and shape me to become more like Jesus.”

In the kingdom of God, faithfulness matters and commitment counts. This experience is highly relational and team-based, which means that consistency and active participation are important and absences are significant. We believe Jesus wants to do so much in and through your kids, and we don’t want them to miss out on any of it!

Saying “yes” to this experience is committing to:

  • Engaging in a minimum of 75% of all gatherings and experiences
  • Arriving on time with their pen, Bible, and Kids Leadership journal
  • Actively participating in each experience
  • Memorizing monthly Scriptures
  • Completing all practices and activities as part of their monthly training plan


If kids are unable to consistently meet these commitments at any point during the year, they are making the choice to remove themselves from Kids Leadership Experience.

There’s a one-time, $75 application fee ($150 family maximum) which will cover the cost of the experience, food each month, journal, Bible, bag, and Kids Leadership Experience shirt.