Zion/Columbus Playground Program

Logistics

Starts Tuesday, July 15th
Ends Thursday, August 21
Days/Hours - T/W/Th 1-4pm
Location - Columbus playground
What to bring - kids should come with a full water bottle
In case of rain or high heat, we will move to Zion's gym - kids can come and go through the double doors of Zion on Winnebago St. (Zion is across the street from Columbus)
Sign In & Sign Out - although this program is flexible and kids can come and go as they please, they will be asked to sign in and sign out each time they arrive and leave
Expectations - Be kind, be respectful, be responsible *more on this below
My contact info - I'm assuming (and hoping for play-sake!) that kids won't have phones so if you need to get in touch with your child or relay something to me, text me at 918-625-5895

Nice to Know

We will have access to use bathrooms inside Columbus but otherwise will not be able to use the inside facility there
Grace Period - kids can come and go on their own but if you plan to pick your child up, I will wait until 4:05pm before I leave, meaning if you arrive after 4:05pm, your child will be at the playground unsupervised.
Play will be unstructured and there will be lots of playground equipment and a crafting bin available.
No snacks will be provided, but kids can bring snacks if they want. They will not be shared. Please let me know of any allergies.
I will ensure kids are staying safe and following expectations. I don't anticipate struggles with this, but if kids are having a hard time, I will reach out to parents to discuss next steps.

Expectations

Please go over these expectations with your kid(s) before their first day. Thanks!

Be Safe

Keep your hands and feet to yourself
Eat only your food
Use equipment correctly
Always be aware of your surroundings

Be Respectful

Treat others how you would want to be treated
Use kind words to each other
Take turns, share the equipment, play cooperatively

Be Responsible

Get help when needed
Let your leader know when you are leaving and where you going
Play nicely with the equipment
Pick up after yourself

*Why is Zion sponsoring? The City of Appleton's playground program that was serving our Columbus and Edison families in the central city area of Appleton pulled out of Peabody Park this summer. Zion still wanted our area kids to have an easily walkable option so they are sponsoring my time and AASD is allowing the use of Columbus.

Drip, drip, droppin'

Gaga Ball!

Week 1 Recap (July 15-17)

5-11 kids came daily
1 visit to Zion's game room when it rained
a few games of drip, drip, drop to cool off from the heat
lots of fun had

Week 2 Update (July 22-24)

Just as we will be going to Zion in the case of rain, I've decided that we will also go to Zion in the case of high heat. If you come to drop off or pick up your child at Columbus and you do not see us there, we are at Zion
If your kiddo has friends that still want to join, please have them reach out to me

Foosball Masters!

Dizzy yet?

Week 2 Recap (July 22-24)

5-7 kids coming daily
daily visits to Zion's game room and gym - future pool and ping pong stars in our midst
games of wet sponge "500" to keep cool from the heat

Week 3 Update (July 29-31)

Ms. Linda (Zion member who has come to hang out with us a couple times) will be bringing water balloons this Wednesday
Quin's 8th birthday is this Wednesday so cupcakes (from a nut-free processing facility) will be brought to share
New equipment this week: Kickball and bases

Water balloon dodgeball. Thanks for bringing us water balloons, Ms. Linda!

Line tag. Watch out for Marshall!

Week 3 Recap (July 29-31)

11-16 kids coming daily
lots of hide and seek in the dark in Zion's game room
water balloons and a pickleball net and rackets spiced up the week

Week 4 Update (Aug. 5-7)

This week is the halfway mark of the program - only 3 more weeks
Sponge bucket fill relay prepped and ready for the hot days
Just as we go to Zion when it's raining or too hot, if it's too smokey out, we will do the same. Thanks for the space usage, Zion!

Designing logos for our playground program.

Tag with a huge, wet sponge on a hot day? Yes, please!

Week 4 Recap ( Aug. 5-7 )

13-15 kids coming daily
Exploding Kittens (the card game, not literally) and baseball filled our afternoons
Lessons in the Jurassic Park movies and Italian Brainrot. Thanks, Esteban and Walter!

Week 5 Update (Aug. 12-14)

2 more weeks left
For some added fun, each day this week, we will have a new game to build teamwork
Save the Date: Thurs, Aug. 21 (our last day) will include bowling at Zion from 2-3pm and a snack party and award ceremony from 3-4pm. If you can join, please do!

To the Zion congregation,

THANK YOU for supporting the Zion / Columbus Playground Program this summer. The impact you all have made possible through your generosity of spirit, energy, funds, and time have made a huge impact on over 30 neighborhood and community kids this summer. The amount of new friendships built and strengthened was my favorite thing to witness. In an age of technology and in a city with school choice where kids go to all different schools, now kids living a few blocks away know each other and have even arranged future playdates. This playground program has not only provided a positive outlet for kids, but has truly strengthened our neighborhood.

Be proud of the impact you have made in the community!

Brianne, Zion's Community Outreach Coordinator

Zion / Columbus Playground Program Quantifiables

Age range of kids served = 6-13

Number of schools represented = 10

Schools represented = Edison, Columbus, Appleton Bilingual School, Dunlap, Xavier, Ferber, Fox River Academy, Madison, Classical, homeschool

Average attendance weeks 1-6 = 12

Average attendance weeks 3-6 = 15

Average attendance week 6 = 16

Number of kids registered = 30

Number of registered kids that came at least once = 25

Number of kids that were NOT registered but came once with a registered friend = 3

Number of neighborhood kids that were NOT registered but came and played with group = 10 (if contact can be made with these parents/guardians, they would likely register)

Number of kids served by program = 38