There IS a Cure for the Summertime Blues at Cypress Church

With summer jobs for teens harder and harder to come by, many parents are desperate for activities to keep those teens busy. Video games are rarely socially stimulating and hanging out at the mall can cost too much. Cypress Church is offering an alternative where teens from junior high and high school can make lasting relationships and parents can rest easy knowing they are keeping busy in a safe and stimulating environment. All summer long, planned activities are open to local youth.

For starters, every Thursday is *Beach Day* at Bolsa Chica State Beach (Warner Ave entrance, near Tower #28). There, teens will find other kids having fun in the sun, sand and surf. They may recognize someone from school or may meet someone who, like them, is looking for a way to get involved in a group activity. There are adults to supervise and facilitate volleyball and touch football games, make sure everyone is staying safe, and usually one or two adult chaperones who can give basic surf lessons. The group meets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday each week (except July 29).

The fun doesn’t end at the beach. An outing to Magic Mountain is planned for Monday, July12. Six Flags offers 16 of some of the best roller coasters in the world. Admission is $40 and additional monies will be needed for food but the transportation is free.

Some other planned events include:

* Pool Party – Tuesday, July 27 at a private residence in La Palma.

* Week-long camp at Hume Lake – August 8 thru 14. Nestled in beautiful Kings Canyon, Hume Lake is considered a “can’t miss” annual trip. From boating to hiking to stargazing, Hume Lake offers an exciting summer camp experience.

* Battle of the Ages – Saturday, August 22. In a multi-sport day that will pit teens against adults, participants will compete in events like softball, dodge ball, Wii and trivia.

* End of Summer Bonfire – Tuesday, August 31. All good things must come to an end and summer is no exception. Teens will have one last chance to hang out with the friends they made during the summer and reflect on great times they shared.

While teens are given special attention during the summer months, Cypress Church is also offering a chance for younger children and their parents to take part in planned activities. For elementary aged children, a highlight of the summer will be a week-long Vacation Bible School. With a *High Seas Expedition* theme, VBS will run Monday through Friday beginning July 26 during the morning hours. At VBS, kids join a *crew* of five elementary-age children. Each crew has an adult or teenage Crew Leader. Crews rotate through seven stations each day and the daily Bible message is reinforced at each station throughout High Seas Expedition in creative ways.

Younger siblings of all ages can take part in the same beach days at Bolsa Chica as the teens. It is also a chance for moms to get to know each other while their children take part in building sand castles and digging for sand crabs.

Other weekly activities for moms and young children include pool parties, park days and outings such as the Santa Ana Zoo. Moms and kids meet very Wednesday midday to participate and to welcome new guests interested in building relationships and sharing the joys and frustrations of motherhood… and having fun while doing so.

Cypress Church is located at 6143 Ball Road (just east of Valley View) in Cypress. For more information regarding events planned for teens, contact Student Ministries Pastor Danny Kugelberg at danny@cypresschurch.net. For planned children’s events like Vacation Bible School, contact the Children’s Pastor Mike Haugland at mikehaugland@cypresschurch.net or by calling (714) 952-3001. Moms interested in finding out more about planned events for them and their young children contact Lori Fieger at ldfieger@yahoo.com. The public is welcome at Sunday services and Bible studies that are held at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. as well as many other activities throughout each week.

Photo Caption: Teens, children and their moms in and around the Cypress area are invited every Thursday to Bolsa Chica State Beach for fun in the sun, sand and surf. In photo, L to R, are Kevin Sticht, Danny Kugelberg (Pastor of Student Ministries), Jim Ferm, Mike Haugland (Pastor of Children’s Ministries), AJ Hanania, Sean Loon, and Josh Tiffany.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net/