Thousands of kids flock to Lighthouse week in Buckinghamshire, England

During the last week in July I was was surrounded by almost 500 kids at a giant children's outreach event. As Chair of Trustees of Lighthouse High Wycombe, I helped volunteers from many different local churches to come together and reach out to their community in this unique way. The following article is taken from The Bucks Free Press, 3 August 2011:

MORE than 6,000 Buckinghamshire kids took part in the Lighthouse Christian activity program as the school holidays began. 

There are eight sites based in Princes Risborough, Great Missenden, Hazlemere, Marlow, Thame, Burnham, High Wycombe and Cressex.

The week-long program kept the children busy with pottery, painting and playing tennis and cricket just a few of the fun and games on offer.

There were 900 children taking part in Great Missenden, where the project began 24 years ago.

Site Caretaker Trevor Darley said Lighthouse, traditionally held on the first week of each school holidays, had become quite a generational affair.

He said: “Some who came as young people met at Lighthouse and got married and are now bringing their children.

“We have 500 helpers ranging from the ages of 13 to about 90-something. There are some approaching 90 and some founding members who still come.”

More than 750 children attended the Hazlemere Lighthouse week at Sir William Ramsay School. The week's theme was Madagascar which used the Dreamworks film to teach children about the biblical teachings of Peter.

Clips from the film were used to illustrate Christian teachings.

Chairman of Hazlemere Lighthouse, Peter Lock, said: “It has gone very well. We have had 750 children here. We have had up to 1,000 before but other Lighthouses have split off from us.

“A lot of the children who used to come now go to other sites, which was the idea as it is more convenient for them.”

He said all the children, who are aged four to eleven, had a great time and are now “Madagascar mad.” There are various activities on throughout the week, which is free, although donations are asked for towards running costs.

The Princes Risborough site has been running for ten years and this year was the last year for Ingrid Gardner as chairman.

She said they also had a Madagascar theme. She added: “It worked really well. The film clips are more accessible for the children.”

About 450 children attended and she said there were 220 helpers aged 12 to 18-year-old.

Ingrid said: “I had a 13-year-old who grew up going to Lighthouse say to me, 'This is the best week of my year. I wait all year for this.' That is something special.”