F.R.O.G.S. After School/Summer Program

(Friends, Reading, & Other Great Stuff)

 

June 2008: Summer Session

            The summer session of FROGS will run from June 19 through August 14.  We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 AM and 2 PM .

This summer’s theme is “A Rainbow of Summer Fun.” We will be doing activities related to all colors of the rainbow as well as some special outings. Lunch is provided through a partnership with Wilkinsburg Community Ministry.

The program can always use new friends. During the school year there was a waiting list to participate, but we currently have space available for more students. Volunteers help to guide these kids on the right paths.  We can use regular helpers as well as substitutes and special guests. We also welcome contributions of snacks, paper products, books, and craft items.

The Tadpole Times
Newsletter for First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood FROGS Program
July 2008

FROGS: A Rainbow of Summer Fun!

Who is Roy B. Giv? No, it’s not my uncle nor a member of the church. Roy B. Giv is a name to help us remember the colors of the rainbow: Red, orange, yellow, blue, green, indigo & violet. In July we start our journey through the spectrum of color.

RED: USA Patriot - Rockets Red Glare
Tuesday, July 1 we will focus on America so wear red or red, white and blue. There will be NO FROGS Thursday, JULY 3 due to the Independence Day holiday July 4.

ORANGE : Outrageous Orange
July 8 & 10 we’ll be telling tall tales, doing orange relays, and making outrageous hats. Wear orange on Thursday if you have something.

YELLOW: Sunny Summer Days
July 15 & 17 we’ll be celebrating summer and learning more about the sun that warms our days. Wear sunny yellow Thursday.

BLUE: The Deep Blue Sea , an Ocean of Fun
July 22 & 24 we’ll learn about the ocean and do some water play if days are warm. Wear ocean blue on Thursday.

GREEN: Green as Grass
July 29 & 31 we’ll talk about trees and creation. Wear garden green on Thursday.

We are also arranging outings. Updates will be given as plans are finalized.

Thanks for sharing your children with us. We’ve all enjoyed getting acquainted in June.

Deborah Pike , FROGS Director
412-241-4613, ext. 101

Registration Information

To register a child interested in participating, to sign up to be a volunteer with the program, or for more information, please contact FROGS Coordinator Deborah Pike at the church, 412-241-4613, ext. 101.

History

FROGS - Friends, Religion, and Other Great Stuff - began on March 16, 2004 , and met on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:15PM at the church for students interested in having some fun (and getting a little bit of help with homework, too).

Geared toward children ages kindergarten through grade 3, the program was made possible by a grant from the Administrative Commission for Transformation of the Pittsburgh Presbytery.

Kathy Hart served as director. Volunteers provided an after-school snack, homework help, games, and fun with Bible stories. All of our volunteers had their Act 33/34 clearances, and tutors were available for any child that in need of extra help.

The staff was so excited about how well the first session went that they decided to extend the program into a Summer Session. Summer FROGS ran Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 27-August 5, 2004 from 10:00AM-2:00PM, and included learning enrichment, story-telling, arts and crafts, play time, field trips, and lunch. [Go to the Photos page to see some of our Summer FROGS fun.]

The program has continued with 10-week sessions. During the school year, someone has gone to Edgewood Primary School to escort participating students across the parking lot to the program at the church.

The Summer Session 2007 had a nature theme with field trips to Frick Park to explore the plant life, bugs and animals as well as the annual trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo.  Even though the kids couldn't stand to be around bugs, they had fun learning about them… especially the big words of the day.  Can you just picture a bunch of little ones saying things like arthropod and exoskeleton? It is definitely a cute thing. 

First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood has continued to support the program, even after the grant funding was no longer available. The fee of $40 per child has increased to $75, with scholarships available for those who qualify, but still only covers a portion of the cost of the program. Volunteers, snacks, paper products, and craft items, a director and a “lily pad” are provided by the church, for which we are most grateful.