Our youth ministry is multi-dimensional, supporting youth, 6th–12th grade from both the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campuses, as they grow in mind, body, and spirit. We are committed to being inclusive and welcoming all youth. Our program provides a variety of ways for youth to stay connected so that they can grow in their love for God, live their faith in service, and build sacred community with other youth and adults.
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NEW: Children & Youth 2024-2025 School Year Registration
IMPORTANT: Please register all children and youth (birth through grade 12) for the 2024-2025 school year! The form should only take a few minutes to complete.
Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space for all children and youth, which begins with gathering important information so we can best serve your family.
Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space for all children and youth, which begins with gathering important information so we can best serve your family.
Our new youth room space at the Buffalo Grove campus is underway! If you are interested in contributing to this new space, please check out our Kingswood Youth Room Amazon Wish List!
Thank you for your support and generosity!
Thank you for your support and generosity!
BG Youth Sunday School has two options:
- Activate Youth is designed for younger youth, primarily 6th-8th graders, meeting from 9:00-10:00 am. During this time, they will study scripture, activate their learning with hands on tasks, and discuss faith in their daily lives.
- Elevate Youth is for older youth, primarily 9th-12th graders. They begin by attending the worship service together at 9:00 and stay through the sermon. Afterward, from 9:45-10:15 am, they will leave the Sanctuary to debrief and elevate their understanding of the message and scripture in their own lives.
Sunday School for Students Grades 6-12
Buffalo Grove Campus
- September 22: Sunday School lesson focus: Shining the light of Jesus to all people
- Activate Youth and Elevate Youth will both meet
- September 29: Service Project Sunday
- All youth will meet together and join with Children's Sunday School for a combined activity
- October 6: Food Sunday
- Activate Youth will work in the Food Pantry
- Elevate Youth will make breakfast for the entire group
- Both groups will return to the Sanctuary for Communion before enjoying breakfast together
Deerfield Campus
DF Youth Sunday School (6th-12th grade) from 10:00-11:00 am
- For the weeks where there is no official Youth Sunday School, you are encouraged to connect with Rev. Clayton to find out ways to get involved during the 10:00 am service (A/V, reading, greeting, serving, and more)
- October 6: Sunday School lesson focus: One small step toward making a big difference in the world
- November 3: Sunday School lesson focus: Giving thanks for the saints who have gone before us
Save the Date - Upcoming Events
Sunday Night Live (SNL) Youth Group
We gather for dinner, fellowship, and fun once or twice a month. $3 per evening (Scholarship monies available, reach out to Kate for more information). Specific details of the night will be shared closer to each event date!
Friends are ALWAYS welcome! ALL are welcome!
Friends are ALWAYS welcome! ALL are welcome!
Remaining 2024-2025 SNL Dates
Sunday night from 5:00 to 7:00 pm:
October 6
October 27
November 10
November 24
January 19
February 23
March 16
March 30
Sunday night from 5:00 to 7:00 pm:
October 6
October 27
November 10
November 24
January 19
February 23
March 16
March 30
SNL nights include:
Third Grade God Squad (3rd graders)
Club 45 (4th and 5th graders)
Youth Group (6th through 12th graders)
Parent Life Group (any parent, on select SNL nights--see the Parent webpage for specific details and dates)
Richardson's Corn Maze
When: Saturday, September 21, starting at noon (informal meet-up with no set structure or check in)
Where: Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, IL
Who: All Kingswood families and friends
Join us for an informal meet-up day at Richardson's Adventure Farm! Explore the world’s largest corn maze, cheer on piglet races, enjoy a mini train ride, try out various unique activities, pick up a pumpkin and other fall goodies, and picnic with a wide variety of food options.
We'll kick off by meeting near the corn maze map and photo spot right at the entrance. After that, everyone is free to explore the farm and stay as long as they like!
No official Kingswood meet-up space or registration is required. This is an open invitation to enjoy the day with other Kingswood families. Please note, this is not a drop-off event unless you've arranged for another adult to supervise your child at the farm.
Where: Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, IL
Who: All Kingswood families and friends
Join us for an informal meet-up day at Richardson's Adventure Farm! Explore the world’s largest corn maze, cheer on piglet races, enjoy a mini train ride, try out various unique activities, pick up a pumpkin and other fall goodies, and picnic with a wide variety of food options.
We'll kick off by meeting near the corn maze map and photo spot right at the entrance. After that, everyone is free to explore the farm and stay as long as they like!
No official Kingswood meet-up space or registration is required. This is an open invitation to enjoy the day with other Kingswood families. Please note, this is not a drop-off event unless you've arranged for another adult to supervise your child at the farm.
I Am: Youth Fall Retreat
ALL youth 6th grade through 12th grade from both campuses are invited to come for a weekend of teambuilding, learning, fun, and service!
When: October 12 at 10:00 am until October 13 at 12:00 pm
Where: YMCA Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL
What: Ropes courses, teambuilding courses, hikes, cabins, meals provided, group t-shirts, speakers, devotionals, fellowship, and more!
Cost: $90 per participant
(Cost includes the overnight camp fee, all camp activities, three meals, a shirt, a book, speaker fee, snacks, and more. Scholarship monies and payment plans available, reach out to Kate for more information.)
Service: We are partnering with Project I Am to hear about the 16-year-old founder's journey and create Blessings Bags for the homeless.
We Need: Financial support and at least 250 lip balms, granola bars, mini mouthwashes, and soaps to include in these Blessings Bags...CONSIDER DONATING TODAY!
Worship: To wrap things up on Sunday morning, we will visit Willow Creek in South Barrington to experience a different way of worshipping together. The service is at 9:00 am and we will return to the BG campus afterwards.
Additional details, packing list, and agenda of the weekend will be shared soon! Please reach out to Kate if you have any questions!
Registration is due by September 23.
When: October 12 at 10:00 am until October 13 at 12:00 pm
Where: YMCA Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL
What: Ropes courses, teambuilding courses, hikes, cabins, meals provided, group t-shirts, speakers, devotionals, fellowship, and more!
Cost: $90 per participant
(Cost includes the overnight camp fee, all camp activities, three meals, a shirt, a book, speaker fee, snacks, and more. Scholarship monies and payment plans available, reach out to Kate for more information.)
Service: We are partnering with Project I Am to hear about the 16-year-old founder's journey and create Blessings Bags for the homeless.
We Need: Financial support and at least 250 lip balms, granola bars, mini mouthwashes, and soaps to include in these Blessings Bags...CONSIDER DONATING TODAY!
Worship: To wrap things up on Sunday morning, we will visit Willow Creek in South Barrington to experience a different way of worshipping together. The service is at 9:00 am and we will return to the BG campus afterwards.
Additional details, packing list, and agenda of the weekend will be shared soon! Please reach out to Kate if you have any questions!
Registration is due by September 23.
Harvest Fest
Save the date for Saturday, October 19 from 10am-2pm.
Harvest Fest will be here with Trunk or Treat, shopping, food, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a petting farm, games and more!
Please note...we will not have a pumpkin patch this year.
Admission is FREE for everyone.
A free lunch will be provided for anyone 12 years old and younger.
Harvest Fest will be here with Trunk or Treat, shopping, food, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a petting farm, games and more!
Please note...we will not have a pumpkin patch this year.
Admission is FREE for everyone.
A free lunch will be provided for anyone 12 years old and younger.
Ongoing & Upcoming Service Opportunities
Gratitude in Motion: Run or Volunteer
Join Gratitude Generation on Saturday, September 28 from 7:00-11:00 am. Come out and volunteer at G2's first 5K at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, IL. Volunteers will be assigned a role upon arrival but will be assisting with tasks such as: check in, race checkpoint cheerleaders, water distribution, service opportunity assistance. Please meet in front of the Ridgewood sign. You must be at least 12 years old to volunteer. Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Feed My Starving Children
Join us on Saturday, November 2 from 11:30-1:15pm in Libertyville to pack hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to their incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world.
Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference today.
Save the Date! Registration Coming Soon!
Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference today.
Save the Date! Registration Coming Soon!
World Kindness Day Event
This world needs kindness more than ever! Join us for a fun family event that will be focused on quite the adventure of kindness.
Wednesday, November 13 in the evening with pizza dinner provided.
Stay tuned for details and registration!!
Wednesday, November 13 in the evening with pizza dinner provided.
Stay tuned for details and registration!!
PADS
Kingswood welcomes guests every Tuesday night from October through April. Youth under the age of 18 can support this important ministry every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00 pm or Wednesday from 7:00-8:00 am. Youth may not interact with the guests, but can help in many ways during set up! 18 or older can work any time throughout the night!
Email Kate for more information and to sign up for the 2024-2025 year.
Email Kate for more information and to sign up for the 2024-2025 year.
Gratitude Generation
Housed in our Deerfield site campus at 815 Rosemary Terrace in Deerfield, IL, they do a tremendous amount of compassionate work in our community, for others, and teaches the next generation of children and families how to serve. We've been thrilled to partner with them at events we've held, and we support their mission to support neighbors in need while building a new generation of service-minded leaders. Check out the many opportunities they have for kids and teens.
Pop Tab Collection
Join Kilmer School in District 21 and the Village of Wheeling to help families of children receiving treatment/services within the Lurie Children's Hospital. We are collecting all types of tabs in Sunday School to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities!
Please reach out to Kate if you are in need of service hours, have a heart to serve others, or have ideas of other service-focused projects we can participate in!
Get Involved
Confirmation
Confirmation is for students 8th grade or above from both the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campus.
Contact Kate Lapetino for more information.
Contact Kate Lapetino for more information.
Youth Praise Band
Youth Praise Band is for ANY and ALL performers from 5th-12th grade! No matter your instrument of choice or your experience level, we have a place for you here! Check out the calendar of tentative practice and performance dates!
Questions: Contact Felicia Patton, Director of Music Ministries
One-on-one piano lessons: Contact our Organist, Dr. Michael Fritsch
One-on-one voice, guitar, or other lessons: Contact Felicia Patton
Questions: Contact Felicia Patton, Director of Music Ministries
One-on-one piano lessons: Contact our Organist, Dr. Michael Fritsch
One-on-one voice, guitar, or other lessons: Contact Felicia Patton
Summer Youth Mission Trip
Congratulations to this year's mission trip participants who traveled with Appalachia Service Project to Magoffin County, Kentucky from July 14-20, 2024! It was a wonderful week of service, fellowship, and friendships! Thank you to all who prayed and supported our trip!
More info about the 2025 Youth Mission Trip will be shared this fall!
More info about the 2025 Youth Mission Trip will be shared this fall!
Get Connected
KUMCYM Insta
Check out all of our updates and events on our Kingswood Youth Instagram page!
Connect with our Kingswood youth and share with your friends!
@kumcym
Connect with our Kingswood youth and share with your friends!
@kumcym
Apps, Devos, and Podcasts
Looking for a way to stay connected? Download one of these recommended apps or daily devotionals! Share any others that you enjoy with Kate to keep this list updated!
YouVersion Bible App
Big Life Devotional
Daily Bible Inspirations
Kingswood UMC Weekly Sermon Podcast
YouVersion Bible App
Big Life Devotional
Daily Bible Inspirations
Kingswood UMC Weekly Sermon Podcast
Worship Through Music
Worship always gets elevated with music. Whether we can sing in tune or not, we can all benefit immensely from singing to God with enthusiasm.
Connect through music by listening to our Spotify playlists!
Connect through music by listening to our Spotify playlists!
Are there songs missing?
Share your suggestions with Kate to add to our lists!
Share your suggestions with Kate to add to our lists!
Mental Health is More than a Month!
More than ever, mental health is so important in ALL of our lives. We face each day with more input and information than ever before and it can feel overwhelming without even realizing that it's overwhelming. You don't really know any other way, so this constant bombardment of distractions and information is "normal". We must all find time to take a break, unplug, and seek peace.
Prayer and time with God can be a HUGE gift to our mental health, but it doesn't stop there. God is an amazing provider and gives us many supports and resources to better our mental health. Check out the following resources for information, support, and ways to get involved.
Prayer and time with God can be a HUGE gift to our mental health, but it doesn't stop there. God is an amazing provider and gives us many supports and resources to better our mental health. Check out the following resources for information, support, and ways to get involved.