Fourth of July Splash

Have you ever considered what goes into the planning process for creating an amazing Fourth of July holiday for dozens of kids, as well as the staff and volunteers who are kids at heart?!

It begins weeks in advance. Budget amounts, a tentative schedule of events and games are determined. Teams are established. Work assignments are delegated. Necessary equipment is ordered…including water balloons. 

Water balloons…why would we need to pre-order those? After all, how many could we really need for this “Celebrating Freedom with Water and Explosives” extravaganza?

1,500. per. home. Yes…the suggested MINIMUM amount for each home to stockpile is one thousand, five hundred balloons. One of the events most enthusiastic organizer’s, Home Parent Dad Brian Wallace, states, “That may sound like a lot, but they go fast! Preparation is the key. For this to be a success…prepare, prepare, and did I mention? PREPARE!”

This year’s water war will be The Zimmer/Wright Homes vs. The Hubbell/Atherton Homes. The celebration begins immediately on the morning of July 4th, with the application of war paint. The two teams then battle it out with water balloons and a wide assortment of water toys. A truce is declared, long enough for clean-up and a lunch break…and then water wars begin again in the form of an obstacle course competition. There are two separate events. The first is kids vs. kids. Following that is an adult vs. kids competition. If the kids beat the adults, the adults then have to do all of the kids’ chores for a day!

The remainder of the day is filled with beach games, swimming, grilling for supper, and of course, FIREWORKS! Lots and lots of fireworks, glow sticks, sparklers, etc. Hundreds of dollars worth at a great discount, thanks to the Harrisburg Lions Club.

That doesn’t complete the schedule of events, however. Even the clean-up is scheduled and assigned. For the entire day of July 5th. Any parent knows that a fun event for the kids means lots of work before-hand and afterwards for the parents. But that’s okay. It’s all a part of what your support allows us to do…give children the childhood they deserve.

Now that the Fourth has come and gone, enjoy a few photos from the big event:

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