After School Adventures— Continuing to Get Kids Outdoors

Mount Hermon has been fortunate to be able to continue ministering to our local community this year through our After School Adventures program. Each day of the week several elementary aged students descend upon Redwood Camp for times of play, adventure, refreshment and learning about Jesus alongside our loving Christian staff.

Did you know that the average child in the US spends only 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured play outdoors? For many students this past year has been filled with days indoors, zoom calls, and an abundance of screen-time.

Research says that time in creation lowers stress, improves physical and mental health, promotes compassion, builds confidence and helps children to do better in school. For decades our Outdoor Science School and summer camp programs have helped children reconnect with the beauty of the natural world and the Creator. After School Adventures provides a loving environment where children can play, be themselves, and explore all that our unique setting has to offer—creek exploration, nature walks, redwood groves, field play and adventure activities.

We also get to teach each student about Jesus through both teachable moments, field guide testimonies, and direct study about the life of Jesus. This year we’ve been able to share with students about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus through seasonal teaching during Christmas and Easter. For many of our students, and their families, this is one of their first experiences with Christianity and we’re honored to be able to share both the reason for our hope and the true meaning of these popular holidays.

We invite you to join us in prayer for our local community and for the ministry that Mount Hermon has in the San Lorenzo Valley. It’s been a blessing to develop these long-term relationships with the students and their families and we look forward to many more years together.