Treats, games, school supplies at the start of the school year at Onset Foursquare church

After the oddity of the 2020-2021 school year, leaders at Onset Foursquare Church decided that what Wareham’s school children really needed was a little back-to-school fun to get the school started right. new school year.

“I was a schoolteacher, so knowing that the kids and teachers have had a very difficult covid year, we really wanted to celebrate back to school,” said Shelly Johnson, who is family life pastor at the church at his side. husband Pastor David.

Onset Foursquare Church – located at 301 Onset Avenue – hosted a back-to-school party for children of all ages on Sunday, August 29 at Lopes Field from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event was organized in partnership with Word of Life, who facilitated some of the activities.

The event featured a variety of activities designed to make local children active and eager to return to school. The Back to School Bash featured obstacle courses, bubble soccer, archery, Nerf wars, bouncy houses, raffles, popcorn and cotton candy, and face paint – to name a few.

Johnson said the church hoped the celebration could make it easier for the children to return to the school year.

“We wanted to encourage [kids] at the time of their return, because there could be fears, ”she said. “There is also excitement. There is this mixture of emotions – this tension there. We just wanted to bring some peace and joy.

Additionally, Johnson said the church hoped to provide an “educational element” with Animal Adventures – an exotic animal care organization based in Bolton – giving a presentation and physical activity in the form of obstacle courses, bubble soccer and other activities.

The Back to School Bash was a huge success: hundreds of children attended during the afternoon, volunteers said.

Caitlyn Butler, who attends church, brought her daughter Scarlett to the celebration at Lopes Field.

“It’s amazing,” Butler said of the event. “This is a great opportunity for the community, especially at this difficult time.

4-year-old Scarlett was one of the many raffle winners and won a brand new backpack.

“She was very excited,” Butler said. “She’s starting kindergarten, so she’s very excited now to have school supplies.”