Ahoy!! It’s Ranger Kids Fun Day!

By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator
 

Ahoy, mates! On Saturday, July 31, NNED Royal Rangers held the annual Ranger Kids Fun Day at the Lawrence Barn Community Center in Hollis, New Hampshire. Sixteen Ranger Kids from across the Granite State, joined by parents and leaders, came out searching for treasure and fun! This year’s RKFD had a pirate theme, and kids got to sport eye patches and head bandannas for the occasion! And if that wasn’t enough, Commanders Jason A. Wright and Judy Tilton came fully dressed and ready for the occasion in some fancy-looking pirate gear!

The events of the day were run by the older Rangers in Outpost #3 in Nashua and Outpost #62 in Milford. They did an outstanding job, as they worked well with the Ranger Kids and served as a great example of Royal Rangers being a “boy led, adult facilitated” ministry! Most importantly, however, the day gave the opportunity to give honor to God as well. For the opening devotion, Commander Bob McKinney gave a word of caution to the young buccaneers, to store up treasures in heaven for themselves. From there, it was time for the excitement to begin! The Ranger Kids got to participate in a variety of games in the Lawrence Barn’s recreation room, including Putt Putt Golf, Cork Gun Shootout, Mini Ring Toss, Chicken Chuckin’, Frisbee Throw, Tilt’n Tetherball and Potty Toss! All of these games led to hours of fun for boys, leaders, and parents alike, and plenty of hungry pirates eager to chow down! Thankfully, Outpost #3, the host Outpost was ready, as they supplied plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs and cold drinks.

Following lunch, and a group photo with J.B. Beaver, it was time for some serious competition and hunting for treasure! The Ranger Kids were split up into groups for Captain Hook’s Relay Race, which involved the kids picking up necklaces with their specially made “hooks” on their hands, the Parrot Poop Pickup, which involved them picking up beads (not real poop, of course!) with their bare toes and dropping them in boxes, the famous Cannon Ball Blast, which was to see who could fully inflate and explode a balloon! Of course, what would a Ranger Kids Day be without the famous Raingutter Regatta, this year known as the Great Galleon Getaway? The kids had prepared their pirate ships earlier in the day, and they were ready to make their escape using everything but their hands to get their ships moving!

The day ended with everyone being treated an ice cream Sunday bar, also supplied by Outpost #3, and a closing devotion from Commander Bob, as well as each boy and girl getting to take home a little loot, bringing a great finish to a great RKFD, which had great attendance, great fun, and great competition! Most importantly, the young pirates got to learn where to find the source of the ultimate treasure- Jesus Christ, which is what the Royal Rangers ministry is all about!
Hats off to all the leaders (both young and old) and parents to worked to make RKFD 2010 an event to be treasured!