Each month Wildside Youth hosts a large, free party for any kids in the greater Hagerstown area between the ages of 5 & 12.

On Tuesday, January 22, the Trinity Center at The Hope Center came alive with the flurry of activity from Wildside’s Winter Olympics party!

This yearly event is a highlight of the winter for the kids who come. This year, over 50 kids braved the freezing temperatures to enjoy a night celebrating the winter games!

The kids enjoyed some free time followed by a massive “snowball fight”. The snowballs were balloons and the object of the game is to get as many snowballs onto the opposing teams side of the room. The snowball fight was a battle between the boys & girls and the girls came out as the Olympic victors!

In addition to the snowball fight activity, the kids were able to enjoy some winter themed carnival games. The games included Olympic Ring Toss, Olympic Torch Relay, Snowflake Matching (a wintery twist on Old Maid) and Make a Goal, a hockey inspired game. The kids were able to win prizes at each event.

Along with all the winter themed activities, the kids were also able enjoy other regular Wildside activities like the Marketplace, the Hollywood & Hawaiian game rooms and an area dedicated to art projects.

Following the game times, the kids came together to learn about one of the Wildside Core Values. In the fall the kids learned about respect. The lesson of the night focused on Proverbs 14:2 and the ‘Parable of the Sower’. The kids learned they should always do their best to live a life that shows respect for the Lord. At the end of the lesson three kids came forward during the altar call!

At the end of the lesson the kids were served a delicious dinner of fish sticks, green beans, rolls, cupcakes & more! Prizes were also distributed to lucky Olympians!

All this fun is provided free of charge for kids ages 5-12. If you know of kids who would definitely love these types of action-packed events then please check out www.wildsideyouth.com for more info or call 301.739.1165.

Also, if you’re interested in volunteering at The Hope Center, including with Wildside, please call 301.739.1165 or email hagerstownrescue@verizon.net.

Even though Wildside only has large themed parties like this once a month, the Wildside fun continues every Sunday evening at Sunday Night Wild. Sunday Night Wild is a free activity for kids from 7-8pm. They sing, play games, learn about Jesus and eat some great snacks! This is a great event to invite unchurched kids or to supplement the Christian education that churched kids are already receiving. Go to www.wildsideyouth.com to learn more about Sunday Night Wild.