DiscoveryLand meets on Sunday mornings during the worship service. Children begin the service with their parents and are invited to the front pews for the Children’s Sermon. Following that sermon, they proceed to classrooms in the adjoining Church House. Room assignments by age are posted in the Church House lobby.

Register Your Children Online 

Welcome to the 2011-2012 DiscoveryLand program. Please take a moment now and sign up your children for DiscoveryLand and the Sunday Nursery. To make our time together as welcoming, smooth-running and safe as possible, we are asking all parents to complete these forms as soon as possible. If you are new to Plymouth, please feel free to contact Julia Rassmann, Director of the Ministry to Families and Children, in advance of your visit.

• Click here for the online DiscoveryLand form (age 2 through 8th Grade)

• Click here for the online Nursery form (infant through age 2)

What is taught at DiscoveryLand?

Bringing children closer to Christ and the caring support of a faith community is fundamental to the mission of the church’s Ministry to Families and Children. The DiscoveryLand curriculum, in ways that are appropriate to each age group, emphasizes play-filled, hands-on learning. Old Testament stories and the teachings of Christ from the New Testament are brought to life through books, songs, creative activities and group play. Major holidays, such as Advent, Lent and Easter, offer special opportunities for themed activities, with the annual Christmas Pageant being a particular highlight. In summer, many DiscoveryLand children participate in our weeklong Vacation Bible Camp.

Outreach is another important part of DiscoveryLand teaching. Children of all ages discover ways to offer support to those in need. Through fundraising activities, donation drives and age-appropriate volunteer projects, DiscoveryLand children learn valuable lessons about loving their neighbor and living their faith. 

Who teaches the DiscoveryLand classes?

Every DiscoveryLand class, grouped by age, is headed by a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer from the congregation. Julia Rassmann supervises the staff and designs the curriculum with input from the Children’s Christian Education committee. Active participation in the Christian formation of children is a joyous part of family life at Plymouth, and the church warmly encourages every DiscoveryLand parent to volunteer as a teacher, classroom assistant or special event helper during the year.

I’m new to Plymouth. How do I get my child started in DiscoveryLand?

All children visiting Plymouth on Sunday are invited to be a part of DiscoveryLand. You do not have to be a church member.

In advance of your Plymouth visit, you may wish to contact Julia Rassmann, Director of the Ministry to Families and Children, at the Church Office. This is an opportunity for you to have your questions answered and for the church to know that your child will be at DiscoveryLand that Sunday. You may also want to fill out an online registration form with your contact information, but this is not required for a first visit.

Children leave for DiscoveryLand early in the worship service. Especially when a child is new to Plymouth, we encourage a parent to accompany him or her to the classroom. You may stay as long as you wish. Depending on the age of your child, level of comfort and familiarity with Plymouth, you may want to stay the entire session or return to the service. If you have not yet registered your child, his or her DiscoveryLand teacher will take down key contact information. After the service, all but the youngest (ages 2-5) are brought to Fellowship Hour. The youngest children are dismissed to  their parents from the classrooms.

If your child has special needs, whether food allergies or learning differences, every effort will be made to support those needs. If you feel that advance notice is important, or that a discussion with staff will improve your child’s experience, please contact Julia Rassmann before your visit.