KidStep
Our mission is “Joining Children on their Spiritual Journey.” The purpose of KidStep is to intentionally focus on ways we can help children spend time with Jesus on their own and experience God’s love so that we can help children from birth through fifth grade take next steps of faith.
You can find a link to our August calendar below. The calendar has a schedule of what children are learning in KidStep and a calendar of reading and activities for the month. Hard copies are available on the Resource Wall by KidStep check in.
What to Expect
Sundays | 9 or 10:30 AM
At KidStep, Sunday mornings are full of fun, faith, and friendship. Your children will enjoy engaging Bible teaching, energetic singing, and small group time designed just for them—all in a safe, age-appropriate environment. We’re excited to welcome your family into a space where kids can grow spiritually, socially, mentally, and physically (Luke 2:52).
KidStep is a ministry that joins children on their spiritual journey through the gifts and abilities of dedicated volunteers and partners with parents to help each child thrive in every area of life. Our secure check-in and check-out process ensures your peace of mind, and our team is happy to answer any questions—just look for the check-in stations when you arrive!
We can’t wait to walk alongside your family as your child grows in faith and love!
Disability Voluntary Disclosure
Our desire at Hershey Free is that every child experiences a sense of belonging. We recognize that there are times when extra support may be helpful in making this a reality. In light of this, if your child has a disability or accommodation request that you would like to make us aware of, please complete the form below.
For Parents
KidStep Parent Connect | Sundays | 9 AM | T-Wing: Room 302
Each Sunday at 9 AM, parents of children who attend KidStep have the opportunity to connect for Bible study and fellowship at KidStep Parent Connect. What a joy it is to meet together as parents of children who are in KidStep! We share so many of the same joys, as well as challenges, as we seek to lead our children to know and love Jesus better.
Moms Connect | 2nd & 4th Wednesday | 9:30 AM | Auditorium
Moms Connect meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, starting September 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the auditorium. They will be studying Ephesians: Identity in Christ. Please register to attend. In addition to our regular gatherings, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, starting September 30, Moms Connect will host playdates from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in the Tower: Room 602. The playdates are completely optional and available for you to drop in when you’re able! Moms Connect Registration is currently closed but with a waiting list. Please reach out to Kara Lahr to be added to the waiting list as room is available. Kara’s email is kara.tilghman@gmail.com.
Holiday Sundays
On Holiday Sundays, we encourage families to take the opportunity to worship together. We know this might not be possible for every holiday or for each family, so we will offer nursery and one combined preschool classroom.
- The next holiday Sunday is November 29.
**Volunteer Opportunities**
Do you love seeing kids grow in their faith, ask big questions, and light up with joy? Our Children’s Ministry is growing, and we need more caring, dependable volunteers to come alongside our kids on Sunday mornings. Whether you enjoy telling stories, leading small groups, helping with crafts, or just offering a warm smile and helping hands, there’s a place for you here! No teaching experience needed—just a heart to serve. Be a part of something meaningful and help shape the next generation! If you’d like more information, please fill out the form below.
For Kids
Passage Ceremony | Sunday, September 13 | 12 PM | Auditorium
The Passage Ceremony is an opportunity for us to encourage our incoming 6th and 9th grade students as they prepare to enter the next phase of their faith journey. It is a way for us to celebrate students and to remind them that we will always be in their corner as they move through KidStep and CORE. The Passage Ceremony allows families to gather together and encourage their student in intentional ways. Lunch will be provided.
Back-to-School Bash | Saturday, September 19 | 2 - 4 PM | Back Parking Lot
We are hosting our second annual Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, September 19, from 2 to 4 PM, in the church back parking lot. We want to celebrate the new school year with a day of fun! Last year, this was an amazing community event that brought families from the local area to our church, often for the first time. Once again, we will have a petting zoo, outdoor games, and food. The event is free and open to all kids from birth to those entering 5th grade. No registration required to attend but we need some willing volunteers to serve our community by helping with snacks and games. Sign up to volunteer below!
KidStep Offering Opportunity | We are currently supporting Roger and Fredine Derpilus, Haitian missionaries who live and work in Senegal. Roger started The Shepherd’s Farm, a poultry farm that he hopes to use to train missionaries and church planters in both ministry and egg production. Funds are going towards a pump, pipes, a generator, and solar panels to complete the well project.
Hilltop Christian Nursery School
Since 1979, Hilltop Christian Nursery School, a ministry of the Hershey Free Church, has been welcoming children to learn, to have fun, and to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. We invite your family to join the Hilltop family as we work together to create a learning environment tailored to the age and developmental stages of our students. We believe a child is a total person, designed by God to be well-rounded and maturing in every dimension.
We believe that the experience of each child should be consistent with his or her individual stage of development and, therefore, learning should be achieved in a way that is comfortable and natural for him or her. This can be reinforced with Godly principles through daily experiences.
Hilltop Christian Nursery School serves children ages 3, 4, and 5. Children should reach the classroom age as of October 1st of the admission year.
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open! The registration form can be found below.