JULY 17, 2017 through August 18, 2017
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free breakfast and lunch included
Five One-Week Sessions
For children and youth ages 4 and up
Youth in grades 7 and up can volunteer -
please call the church for an invitation to a training on July 15!
Play, crafts, cooking, music, playground, learning, etc
Register/call today (413) 739-6608,
for up to five (1-week) sessions – Choose one or many!
9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free breakfast and lunch included
Five One-Week Sessions
For children and youth ages 4 and up
Youth in grades 7 and up can volunteer -
please call the church for an invitation to a training on July 15!
Play, crafts, cooking, music, playground, learning, etc
Register/call today (413) 739-6608,
for up to five (1-week) sessions – Choose one or many!
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G-Force – God’s Love in Action Day Camp took place during five weeks at First Congregational UCC from July 13 to Aug 14, 2016. A total of 85 children and youth participated and were fed breakfast and lunch, thanks to the Summer Feeding program “Food, Friends, and Fun!"
In addition to learning five bible stories, ten songs, prayers and bible verses; kids of all ages did crafts, science experiments, and acts of service to the local and global community. Homemade treats were put together each week, and then delivered to our neighbors at the Senior Center, Police and Fire Departments, and the School Department. Day Campers and their families also raised over $100 for Heifer International.
This all came together because of a wonderful group of caring adults and teens. Many thanks go to our adult volunteers – Carmen Aguilera, Kristin Bregoli, Dondi Fiorentino, Rachel Greenway, Fern Lee-Bingham, Eleanor Lollis, Ana Medina, Beau Nichols, Fernando Olivas-Cruz, Melissa Philbrick, Jillian Rousseau, and George Slate. Kimberly Hoy helped to plan and carry out many things as Day Camp Assistant Director; and John Hoy and Mary Pat Flaherty were also indispensable in making everything run so smoothly. The program was also blessed with teen Group Leaders - Dylan Avery, Desiree Carpenter, Jalisa LeGare, Alexis Lucia, Derrick McNeal, Grace Mosakewicz, Devin Olivas-Cruz, Abby Parker, Monica Rivera, Isaiah Santiago, Noah Santiago, Brianna Smith, Sienna Snowden, Kiara Walker, and Patrick Wojcik.
The Kids Back to School Fair followed the end of Day Camp on August 17. Again, many families were served, and an estimated 60 children and youth were given supplies to begin a new school year. In addition to school items and free children’s books, attendees at the Fair were treated to refreshments, pastoral prayers, information about First Church ministries, music, balloons, and visits by a WS Firefighters with a truck and ambulance; and WS Police with a car and motorcycle! Again, a great team of volunteers made it happen – Ceil Crawford, Becky, Jose and Antonio Horta, John and Kimberly Hoy, Eleanor Lollis, Beau Nichols, Patrick O’Connell, Fernando, Devin and Kevin Olivas-Cruz, Melissa Philbrick, Julie Ramos, George Slate, and Barry Watkins.
During the school year, we offer other programs. In addition to M&M Youth Groups and a Community Play Group, First Church is beginning a new program (M&M Kids Club) when school lets out early, or for in-service days or vacations. Please contact Diana Forfa, Faith Formation and Youth Director, at drforfa@hotmail.com for information on family ministries at the church. For more information about all ministries at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Lathrop Street, West Springfield, please visit www.firstchurchws.org or call 739-6608.
First Church Day Camp was supported with contributions from
The Ashley Fund
The Horrigan Fund
The Hampden Association of the UCC; and
Project Bread.
Several local businesses also assisted:
Laprise Chiropractic,
McLaughlin Paper Company,
River Inn Motel, and
Dr. Arnold Silverman.
We gave free t-shirts to all campers and volunteers!
For pictures and stories about Day Camp, please visit the First Church Day Camp Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/firstchurchuccdaycamp
In addition to learning five bible stories, ten songs, prayers and bible verses; kids of all ages did crafts, science experiments, and acts of service to the local and global community. Homemade treats were put together each week, and then delivered to our neighbors at the Senior Center, Police and Fire Departments, and the School Department. Day Campers and their families also raised over $100 for Heifer International.
This all came together because of a wonderful group of caring adults and teens. Many thanks go to our adult volunteers – Carmen Aguilera, Kristin Bregoli, Dondi Fiorentino, Rachel Greenway, Fern Lee-Bingham, Eleanor Lollis, Ana Medina, Beau Nichols, Fernando Olivas-Cruz, Melissa Philbrick, Jillian Rousseau, and George Slate. Kimberly Hoy helped to plan and carry out many things as Day Camp Assistant Director; and John Hoy and Mary Pat Flaherty were also indispensable in making everything run so smoothly. The program was also blessed with teen Group Leaders - Dylan Avery, Desiree Carpenter, Jalisa LeGare, Alexis Lucia, Derrick McNeal, Grace Mosakewicz, Devin Olivas-Cruz, Abby Parker, Monica Rivera, Isaiah Santiago, Noah Santiago, Brianna Smith, Sienna Snowden, Kiara Walker, and Patrick Wojcik.
The Kids Back to School Fair followed the end of Day Camp on August 17. Again, many families were served, and an estimated 60 children and youth were given supplies to begin a new school year. In addition to school items and free children’s books, attendees at the Fair were treated to refreshments, pastoral prayers, information about First Church ministries, music, balloons, and visits by a WS Firefighters with a truck and ambulance; and WS Police with a car and motorcycle! Again, a great team of volunteers made it happen – Ceil Crawford, Becky, Jose and Antonio Horta, John and Kimberly Hoy, Eleanor Lollis, Beau Nichols, Patrick O’Connell, Fernando, Devin and Kevin Olivas-Cruz, Melissa Philbrick, Julie Ramos, George Slate, and Barry Watkins.
During the school year, we offer other programs. In addition to M&M Youth Groups and a Community Play Group, First Church is beginning a new program (M&M Kids Club) when school lets out early, or for in-service days or vacations. Please contact Diana Forfa, Faith Formation and Youth Director, at drforfa@hotmail.com for information on family ministries at the church. For more information about all ministries at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Lathrop Street, West Springfield, please visit www.firstchurchws.org or call 739-6608.
First Church Day Camp was supported with contributions from
The Ashley Fund
The Horrigan Fund
The Hampden Association of the UCC; and
Project Bread.
Several local businesses also assisted:
Laprise Chiropractic,
McLaughlin Paper Company,
River Inn Motel, and
Dr. Arnold Silverman.
We gave free t-shirts to all campers and volunteers!
For pictures and stories about Day Camp, please visit the First Church Day Camp Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/firstchurchuccdaycamp
