Children & Youth

The best way to experience church the way God intends it is to get connected to others within the church.  

All God’s children are special here at Spring Valley UMC, and we strive to provide spiritual formation opportunities for all ages in varying ways in a safe and loving environment from Children Sunday School and through many Youth activities and programs. We have a vibrant week-long innovative, hands-on, interactive Vacation Bible School for all ages. The congregation holds strongly to its baptismal vows to our children to “surround the children with a community of love and forgiveness, that they might grow in their service to others.”  

​Children and youth programs at Spring Valley UMC are as follows: 

We baptize babies, children, youth and adults periodically throughout the year.  For further information please contact the Church Office at (845) 356-0238 or through email umcofspringvalley@gmail.com 

To learn more about the United Methodist practice of baptism, please visit this page on the UMC.org website.  

Confirmation refers to the decision a person makes to respond to God's grace with intentional commitment, publicly reaffirming his or her baptismal vows before the congregation. Most confirmands are youth who have been nurtured in the church since their baptism as an infant or young child but confirmands may also be adults.  

All 7th and 8th Graders or older who have never been confirmed are welcomed to attend our Confirmation Class. Every year's confirmation class begins in February. We will study basic Christian beliefs (why do you believe what you believe?), United Methodist history (what’s in a name?), what it means to be a member of the church (United Methodist Church of Spring Valley), and what it means to be a disciple of Christ.​   

​​​​​It’s not just classroom learning. Activities in the past have included three required trips to:  

1. Methodist Archives at Drew University in New Jersey  
2. General Board of Ordained Ministries in New York City  
3. Historic Methodists Churches in Philadelphia, PA.  

On the Sunday when they join the church (at the end of May), there are many festivities to celebrate their achievement and welcome them as new members. If you would like to participate in this class, please contact the church office at 845.356.0238 or via Email: springvalleyumc@gmail.com and request the Confirmation Letter and the Registration Form. To learn more about the United Methodist practice of confirmation, visit the UMC.org page FAQs: Confirmation 

Our Vacation Bible School is open to any child from Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade regardless of church background. This five-day program during the summer provides Bible lessons, crafts, music, recreation, and snacks using well-developed curriculum that changes each year.

Are you a youth or adult ready to volunteer? Want to register your child? Contact the church office at umcofspringvalley@gmail.com or 845-356-0238  

Spring Valley UMC is Safe-Sanctuary Certified.