Backyard Sports began with a desire to meet an unmet need for our kids here in the Gorge.  We found that there were no opportunities for young kids here in the gorge to play sports and that most kids don't live in neighborhoods where they get to play with others on a regular basis.  We decided that an after-school program that allowed kids to run and play together while learning valuable skills about teamwork, winning and losing, and how to encourage and support  one another, would be our first step.

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This 2021/2022 school year would have been our 4th year of our Backyard Sports Ministry. For those who aren’t familiar with this program, Backyard Sports is a weekly after school sports program for K-6th graders. Every Monday afternoon the kids enjoy a variety of sports at all levels including soccer, basketball, dodgeball, street hockey, t-ball/wiffle ball and games like capture the flag. They learn basic skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and build self confidence while having fun.  The kids ride a school bus to Morse Park in the fall and to the church the rest of the year. We provide a healthy  snack when they arrive. In the past several years (pre-COVID) we had 60 + kids in the program, and many returning the next year and with younger siblings who were finally old enough to participate. 
 

This program is labor intensive so that we can provide the safety and security we require. The program has been very successful… the kids, their parents, the school (Lake Lure Classical Academy), the volunteers and the community all benefit and are anxious for us to continue. COVID has made it impossible to do this safely. We actually signed up almost 70 kids last fall, but due to the outbreak in the school, we were unable to move forward. We are also now responsible for providing our own bus drivers. 

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We will need a large number of volunteers to help with this ministry which requires only your love and concern for these kids. We look forward to restarting this ministry as soon as possible.  If you have any comments or questions, please contact Marily Floyd.

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This ministry meets every Monday afternoon at Morse Park or the Church (depending on weather) when the kids have school from 3:15 - 5 and a snack is provided.  All children ages 5-12 are welcome to participate.  Please contact  Marily if you have any questions.

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To participate in Backyard Sports, click on the Registration Form and complete it, and then return to this page and print the  (1) Consent and Release form and (2) the Bus Form.  Please provide the necessary information, sign and return both forms to the school.

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