2026 Children

Childcare will be provided for infants and preschool age children during the pastor appreciation dinner, delegate sessions and worship in the lower level of the seminary. Healthy snacks will be provided. Bottles, baby food, and special items should be provided by the parents. Childcare is provided free of charge. A signed Medical Release Form must be on file before your child arrives. You may download the form and bring it with you or pick one up at the registration table. Please register online or download the Infant and Preschool Registration Form and send it to Central District Conference, PO Box 1199, Goshen, IN 46527-1199

Cartoon children with the words, "Play, Learn and Grow...Together!"

Infants and Preschool Childcare Schedule

Scroll down for K-12 Schedule and Registration

Thursday

4:50p – 7:00p in the lower level of the seminary and is available only for children whose parents are attending the pastor appreciation dinner.
7:30p – conclusion of worship
Older preschoolers (3-4) will join their parents for the worship service at 7:30p and then leave for childcare following children’s time. Worship is in Martin Chapel in the seminary.

Friday

8:15a – 11:45p in the lower level of the seminary
11:45a – 1:30p Parents are responsible for children for lunch.
1:30 – 6:00p in the lower level of the seminary
6:00 Dinner and evening with families

Saturday

8:30 am – conclusion of annual meeting (12p) for infants – age 2 in the lower level of the seminary
Older preschoolers will join their parents for the worship service at 8:30a and then leave for childcare following children’s time

Infant/Preschool Registration Form: You may register online below or download this form and send it to Central District Conference, PO Box 1199, Goshen, IN 46527-1199.

Infants Preschool

Name of Parent/Guardian*
First Last
Name of Child*
First Last
Age*
Childcare Sessions Attending
- Thursday Evening
- Friday Morning
- Friday Afternoon
- Saturday Morning
List any dietary restrictions/preferances

A line of cartoon children standing in a row.

Children Age K – Grade 12

We look forward to getting to know our conference children. The folks from Shalom Mennonite Congregation have planned some wonderful activities for your children. A special thanks to Kaitlyn Mendenhall for coordinating!

Pizza Dinner and childcare will be provided in the lower level of the seminary for children whose parents are attending the Pastor Appreciation dinner on Thursday evening.

Children attend worship with parents until after the children’s story. Worship will be in Martin Chapel.

All children must have a Medical Release Form on file before the child may participate in children’s activities. The form may be downloaded and filled out ahead of time or you can fill it out when you check in at the registration table.

A registration fee of $25/child ($35/child after June 1) may be paid through the adult registration process. The registration fee includes Friday lunch and snacks. Please register online below or download the K-Grade 12 Registration Form and send it to the conference office at PO Box 1199, Goshen, IN 46527-1199.

Schedule of Activities

Things to bring:

Tennis Shoes appropriate for walking
Clothes appropriate for indoor A/C and outdoor heat
Signed permission slips

Theme: Rise Up! Take Courage!

Thursday

4:45 – 7p Pastor Appreciation dinner

Pizza supper & games.
Parents can pick up & drop off children in the lower level of the seminary

7:30p Worship at Martin Chapel (Children attend with parents until after the children’s story)

Get-to-know you games, movie, & snack
Children can be picked up after the worship service

Friday

8:15-8:45a Gathering, getting to know each other, and tour in the lower level of the seminary

8:45-9:30a Story, prayer practice, and activity (related to conference theme of Rise Up! Take Courage!)

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
Prayer Labyrinth
Decorate your shield with pictures of ideas you would Rise Up! to defend

9:30-10:00a

Courage Stations: Standing up without touching ground, standing with back buddy, use shield to fed off play pit balls, bottle knockdown
Clean up

10:00-10:15a Snack

10:15-11:30a Nature walk around EMU lake and through garden. Outdoor play: soccer, kickball, sidewalk chalk, bubbles

11:45a – 1:30p Lunch with families

1:30-2:00p Music and Movement Games: Freeze Dance, Animal Runs, Simon Says

2:00-3:15p Worship at Martin Chapel (Children attend with parents until after the children’s story)

3:15-4:30p

Board/Card Games: Sleeping Queens, Uno Attack, Racko, Checkers
Building Toys: Legos, Magnatiles, bristle blocks
Finish decorating shields
Reading from the book bin or drawing/coloring courage coloring sheets
Group Game: Silent Speed Ball, Head Up 7 Up, Trashetball
Snack Time: Make our own snacks. Make lion snacks from apples/yogurt or nut butter/fruit and chocolate chip toppings

4:30-5:45p Story, snack, prayer practice, & activity