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Coventry, Ohio —
Lakemore United Methodist Church is the place where kids have been “Rocking the World with the Fruits of the Spirit”, this year's theme for the church's Summer Fun Program.
About 125 kids were a part of the program this year and there was a lot of fun to be had.
Volunteer Coordinator and Community Relations, Linda Pitman said the overall goal of the program is to provide community children with a safe, supervised program in a fun learning environment.
“Throughout the summer we concentrated on exercising our minds, bodies and souls while playing with some of our old friends and making new friendships in the process,” said Pitman.
The fun group met three days a week to do crafts, play games, participate in contests, and many activities for all the kids from ages 5 to 12.
But the fun did not end there. The group had plenty of fun filled field trips throughout the program. Children took golf lessons at Edwin Shaw Challenge Golf Course, participated in gymnastics at Perfect Balance, roller skated at Springfield Roller Rink, and took two fun field trips to Lakeside Scoops for lunch, ice cream, a pontoon boat ride and a visit from the Lakemore Fire Department providing some educational time.
They also went to Sluggers and Putters, bowled at Bill White’s Akron Lanes, spent a day at the movies for “Happy Feet 2,” and played miniature golf at Rolling Greens.
The time together ended with family members at a barbeque and carnival. Following the weeks together, the kids and families gathered at the Sunday Worship service where children received Bibles and award certificates.
Pitman said the success of the program is reflective of the talents of the Co-Directors Angie Callaway and Heather Phillips.
“Their strong Christian character and background as educators in the Springfield Local Schools is just what Lakemore United Methodist Church has also sought to bring to the community, Pitman said. It is a way of nurturing children and families in the faith while providing a multitude of fun activities at the church including field trips that the children may not have had the opportunity to participate otherwise.”
The program is strongly supported by the church family and community. It is because of that support that they are able to offer such an extensive and exciting community program.
“We received support from our women and men’s groups,
Sunday School Classes and members of our congregation who gave of their time and resources to help us with various fund raising efforts,” Pitman said. In addition to the monetary support from the congregation and donations from parents for supplies such as crafts and food items, businesses and organizations offered their support in many ways.
Lakemore United Methodist Church is the place where kids have been “Rocking the World with the Fruits of the Spirit”, this year's theme for the church's Summer Fun Program.
About 125 kids were a part of the program this year and there was a lot of fun to be had.
Volunteer Coordinator and Community Relations, Linda Pitman said the overall goal of the program is to provide community children with a safe, supervised program in a fun learning environment.
“Throughout the summer we concentrated on exercising our minds, bodies and souls while playing with some of our old friends and making new friendships in the process,” said Pitman.
The fun group met three days a week to do crafts, play games, participate in contests, and many activities for all the kids from ages 5 to 12.
But the fun did not end there. The group had plenty of fun filled field trips throughout the program. Children took golf lessons at Edwin Shaw Challenge Golf Course, participated in gymnastics at Perfect Balance, roller skated at Springfield Roller Rink, and took two fun field trips to Lakeside Scoops for lunch, ice cream, a pontoon boat ride and a visit from the Lakemore Fire Department providing some educational time.
They also went to Sluggers and Putters, bowled at Bill White’s Akron Lanes, spent a day at the movies for “Happy Feet 2,” and played miniature golf at Rolling Greens.
The time together ended with family members at a barbeque and carnival. Following the weeks together, the kids and families gathered at the Sunday Worship service where children received Bibles and award certificates.
Pitman said the success of the program is reflective of the talents of the Co-Directors Angie Callaway and Heather Phillips.
“Their strong Christian character and background as educators in the Springfield Local Schools is just what Lakemore United Methodist Church has also sought to bring to the community, Pitman said. It is a way of nurturing children and families in the faith while providing a multitude of fun activities at the church including field trips that the children may not have had the opportunity to participate otherwise.”
The program is strongly supported by the church family and community. It is because of that support that they are able to offer such an extensive and exciting community program.
“We received support from our women and men’s groups,
Sunday School Classes and members of our congregation who gave of their time and resources to help us with various fund raising efforts,” Pitman said. In addition to the monetary support from the congregation and donations from parents for supplies such as crafts and food items, businesses and organizations offered their support in many ways.
Area businesses have been generous in helping. Pitman said she had to thank them for the support. Without the businesses involvement there would be no program.
Besides those that helped to provide the fun filled field trips others helped including; ARA Marital Arts, Springfield Township Women's Club, East Ohio United Methodist Credit Union, Blizzard Trophies, Ocepek Pottery, Zehner's Service, Canton Road Garden Center, Acme, Pressler's Meats, Justice Company, American Patio Rooms and Dean Young, Springfield Township Trustee. In addition pizza was provided on several field trips for the kids by Papa Nick's Lakemore, Little Caesars Ellet, Dominoes, Portage Lakes, East of Chicago, Ellet and Papa John's, Ellet. “We could not have the field trips if it were not for Christy Joyner of Springfield Local Schools who donates the bus transportation,” said Pitman.
A car wash is planned at the church for Thursday, August 9 to help support the program.
For information call the church 330-733-6531 or visit the website at www.lakemoreumc.com .
