Holiday Fun Week 2006
Seaside Rock
As usual, children from each of the five churches, plus some from other churches or outreach, converged on the Methodist church premises for the first full week of the state school summer holidays.
Holiday Fun Week is a tradition stretching back 22 years now and approximately 160 children participated this year. They were led by a huge team of adult and teenage helpers on the theme “Seaside Rock”. This tells the story of how Peter met Jesus and became one of his followers, so as the week progressed, the young people heard this story unfurl, aided by super music, drama , storytelling and craft activities. Clergy representatives from each of the churches helped with the morning worship sessions, to help bring the stories alive for the children.
In the afternoons, the children could choose from quite a range of activities, both indoor and outdoor. These included old favourites like dance, ceramic craft, cricket and rounders plus newer introductions, such as supervised board games, making soft toys, scrapbooking, drama and other outdoor games. The adult and teenage helpers worked particularly hard to ensure that the afternoons passed off smoothly and without incident - only two tiny grazes reported for the whole week!
Thursday evening saw the return of the discos for two age groups and then on Friday, the whole was rounded off at lunchtime with a closing Service, to show parents and carers what Funweek had been all about, followed by a family picnic in Nork Park and then the Grand Clear-up.
Finally on the Friday evening all those who had helped towards the success of Funweek were invited to a party hosted by St Ann’s church, as they are due to organise Funweek 2007.
Here are just some of the comments and observations from the young people who participated in Seaside Rock:
"My first Fun Week as a teenage helper was a great success due to the commitment of lots of people. My group leader was very organised but we were devastated when she lost her voice on the second day."
"This was my first year taking part in Holiday Fun Week and I enjoyed making bracelets and arts and crafts stuff."
"This was my last year being a child at Fun Week, because next year I will be able to be a helper. I’ve had such a good time, it takes dedication from everyone."
"Although I only did two days of Fun Week, I still found it really great and made a lot of friends."
"I enjoyed Holiday Fun Week, it was a great experience and I made lots of friends."
"The drama was great fun to rehearse and perform, I can’t wait until next year."
"The best bit of Fun Week was being the lead archaeologist (digger) in the drama and getting squirted with water pistols."
"I was the youngest fun week leader this year, and I found it really rewarding but very stressful. It was really good getting to know my other leaders who I didn't know."
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