Exploring God’s Big Garden at Kids Big Adventure

Wednesday October 14th 2015

Enjoying the crafts at Kids Big Adventure in Cloughfern.

Almost 60 children and 24 leaders from parishes across Connor Diocese took part in Kids Big Adventure 2015 in Cloughfern on Saturday October 10.

The theme this year was God’s Big Garden and the story of the creation, fall and God’s rescue plan in sending Jesus to take the punishment and bring people back to God.

The theme continues this Saturday, October 17, when Ballymoney Parish hosts the second Kids Big Adventure day.

These events are organised by Connor Children’s Project Officer Jill Hamilton.

Action songs in Cloughfern!

“Our crafts, storytelling, drama, games, puppets, and songs were all linked to the theme of God’s wonderful creation and His love for us despite our mistakes,” Jill said.

“We started off the day by making pipe cleaner spiders complete with googly eyes and beads. Some looked so realistic that a few of the children were a bit scared of their own creation AGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!

“We then had 45 minutes all together for an on stage presentation beginning with the much loved warm up songs led by Karen and Amy Webb, which got everybody up and moving. ‘Phoebe and Theo’ – those two pesky ‘children’ – got lost again and ended up on the stage telling us all about a competition they had set themselves to make the best ‘creation.’”

Children enjoyed all the activities offered at Kids Big Adventure in Cloughfern.

Praise songs during the afternoon were led by Aimee Gibson and Amy Webb.

Camels Engelbert and Humperdinck appeared to tell everyone about an ‘invisibility hat’ which didn’t quite work out as planned………….

The first workshop included a range of crafts such as party blower snakes, peg bugs, Adam and Eve biscuits and design a creature. The second workshop included three challenges – creation cranium, remote control jeep obstacle course and a pass the parcel style challenge called “World of Good things” using lots of cellophane wrapping, a couple of dice and lots of sweets!

Fun on stage!

Jill said: “We ended up all together again for some more songs, a group game and a brilliant interactive talk led by Andrew Neill who was trying to look after some seeds and …… well let’s just say Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh have nothing to worry about just yet!!!!”

Jill expressed thanks to all the kids and leaders who came along, and to Connor children’s council who helped organised and lead the activities.

“A special thanks to our young leaders, Sarah and Caitlin from Lambeg and Hannah and Tammi from Cloughfern who came along to help us out,” Jill added.

Tim Whittaker from Lisburn Cathedral sourced the sound equipment and was our sound engineer on the day.

Kids Big Adventure Ballymoney runs from 2-5pm on October 17 and a big welcome is extended to children and their leaders from across the diocese.

For a full gallery of photos from the day, visit the Ripple website.