Partnering with families in the spiritual formation of their kids.

We’ve created the NextGen Trail Guide, a six-step journey, to assist parents in raising kids who have a faith in God that they will take with them into adulthood. Along the trail are Mile Markers—or special events—where parents and kids learn together and commemorate these key moments. We will also provide resources for the seasons between Mile Markers to inform you of the faith skills that your kids are learning in Kidventure and Youth and equip you with tools for home.

Kids & Youth Programming

The NextGen Trail Guide is designed to work in partnership with regular participation in our kids and youth programming. On Sunday Morning, Kidventure holds programming for all kids (babies – 5th grade), where they can attend Kidventure at 9:20 or 11 am to experience faith, fun, and friendship in action! Our time together consists of a Bible story, games and interaction, crafts, a memory verse, and more!
Youth (6th-12th grade) gathers for worship, teaching, and small groups on Sunday evenings and again on Wednesday evenings for a smaller group Bible study. Both Kidventure and Youth also have seasonal events throughout the year to celebrate holidays and events or just have fun!
KIDVENTURE
YOUTH

Setting Out On The Trail: Babies – PreK

Having a baby is a life-changing event! As parents set out on their parenting trail, we will equip them with tools for showing God’s love to their child during their pre-school phase.
Parents take part in a new baby event and learn how parents are the key spiritual influence in their child’s life, how they can start healthy faith habits from the beginning, and they’ll also learn what Lake Forest believes about baby baptism.
COMING FALL 2025

BETWEEN TRAILHEAD & MILE MARKER 1

Kidventure is teaching…
  • Prayer – how to talk to God at snack time
  • Bible – listen and learn stories each week
  • Bible verse memorization
At home, you can…
  • Be consistent in attending church
  • Talk about God during everyday life
  • Read Bible stories (picture books) to kids
  • Pray with kids – at mealtimes and bedtime

Choosing the Trail: Kindergarten

Getting ready for kindergarten can be daunting. Choosing a school is a big decision and we are here to help parents navigate this phase and teach kids how to take their faith with them, no matter which school option parents choose.
Parents attend a panel discussion event to learn about school options from home school, hybrid, private, charter, and county schools. In addition to discussing pros and cons for all the options, most importantly parents will learn how to support their child’s faith formation as they begin school.
COMING FALL 2025

DURING MILE MARKERS 1 & 2

Kidventure is teaching…
  • Prayer – share prayer requests, pray for others
  • Bible – introduce God’s Big story, how can I apply the concept to my life
  • How to memorize Bible verses and how to look up a Bible verse
  • How to make friends at church
  • Telling others about God
  • Showing God’s love to others
At home, you can…
  • Be consistent in attending church
  • Read Bible stories with kids, practice reading by reading the Bible together, give your kid a Bible of their own
  • Pray with kids – more than at meals
  • Practice serving others together

Exploring the Trail: Elementary School

As kids learn to read during Elementary school, it’s a great time for families to enhance rhythms of reading and studying the Bible together.
3rd-5th graders, with a parent, attend our Bible Explorations class. It’s a hands-on experience to learn how the Bible is structured, how to look up a verse, and kids will go away knowing a simple method for studying the Bible.
BIBLE EXPLORATION EVENT

Forging the Trail: Middle School

As kids forge ahead to middle school, it’s a great time for them to focus on how special God made them and how He wants a relationship with them.
In the spring of their 5th grade year, kids are invited to attend a five-week Foundations class where they explore God’s Big Story from creation, to sin, to God’s Rescue Plan through Jesus. Each student is taught how to write their God story. Many kids place their faith in Jesus though the class and have the opportunity to be baptized or confirmed. We also offer a separate class for parents to equip them to have spiritual discussions with their kids and to prepare for middle school.
COMING SPRING 2025

BETWEEN MILE MARKER 3 & 4

Youth is teaching…
  • Prayer – pray with and for my friends
  • Bible – listen to God through His word, read the Bible together, know how to look up a Bible verse
  • How to know and share my God story
  • How to use my gifts serving at church
  • Telling others about God
  • Showing God’s love to others
At home, you can…
  • Be consistent in attending church
  • Encourage participation at Lake Forest Youth
  • Read and study the Bible together, give your student a Teen Bible, encourage student to read Bible on their own
  • Pray – share requests and struggles
  • Serve – support your student as they serve and serve together

Navigating the Trail: High School

The high school years bring unique challenges as parents walk alongside their kids to teach them how to navigate their decisions. And we want to help parents and their students do this well and with integrity.
We’ll have a bridge to high school event for 8th graders and their parents in the spring of the year. Topics include the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur in high school and how teens can develop and deepen their faith along the way.
HIGH SCHOOL PARENT READINESS EVENT

BETWEEN MILE MARKER 4 & 5

Youth is teaching…
  • Prayer with and for my friends
  • Bible – develop a regular rhythm of Bible study, be able to describe the basic story of the Bible
  • Knowing and sharing my God story and be able to describe some unique giftrs Gad has given them
  • Supporting friends in their spiritual journey
  • Using my gifts serving at church
At home, you can…
  • Be consistent in attending church
  • Encourage participation at Lake Forest Youth
  • Read and study the Bible together, give your student a Teen Bible, encourage student to read Bible on their own
  • Pray – share requests and struggles
  • Serve – support your student as they serve and serve together

Forging New Trails: Beyond High School

Life after school is a new world and a new trail.  The senior year of high school is where parents help their kids get ready for adulthood and to have a faith of their own to carry with them into their adult life.
We’ll offer several parent and student events that aim to set your senior up for success in this next phase of life. We will tackle the meaningful questions that your senior has, what they are nervous about, and how to help your senior transition to life after high school. All families take part in a special blessing event the end of the school year.
LAUNCHING IN THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Support for the ongoing journey of raising a family

Our “Conversations that Count” are designed to walk alongside you as you navigate an ever-changing world and an ever-growing child. In these events, we’ll be exploring the topics that seem to rise to the surface for kids, teenagers, and parents. Often, these conversations aren’t designated for one age group of kid or one season of parenting; they affect us all. So, Conversations that Count exists as an ongoing part of our Trail Guide. Think of them as your “helpful hints” along this parenting journey; there to give you the tools and encouragement that you need to navigate pervasive challenges or messy waters in every season of life.
OUR NEXT EVENT: FAITH, GENDER, & IDENTITY

Frequently Asked Questions

What if we’re super busy and can’t make it to all of the Trail Guide events?
Hey, we totally get it – life can get hectic! While we think it’s important to attend as many Trail Guide events as possible, we know everyone’s schedules are different. Don’t worry – our team will be happy to help you catch up and get back on track. Remember, the goal is to build a strong foundation of faith for your family, and we’re here to help!
Is the NextGen Trail Guide just for nuclear families?

Not at all! We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, and the NextGen Trail Guide is designed to support any family dynamic. Regardless of your family’s makeup, our goal is to help you raise kids who have a strong, growing faith in Jesus Christ.

What if my child is already past a certain Mile Marker, can we still participate?

Of course! We believe that it’s never too late to start this journey with your family. While it’s most beneficial to follow the Trail Guide from the beginning, the principles and guidance found at each Mile Marker can still offer value if you join at a later stage. Our team will be happy to help you determine the best way to integrate the NextGen Trail Guide into your family’s unique situation.

I have questions; who can I ask?

You can reach out to our NextGen Strategist Beverly Ailiff at bailiff@lakeforest.org

KIDVENTURE
YOUTH