- April 19, 2024
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Hundreds of families came out for Woodland Community Church's first annual Back to School Bash on Friday, August 12, in Bradenton, Florida.
Corey Brown (left), 10, climbs an inflatable obstacle course with his younger brother, Wyatt Brown, 5, at the first annual Back to School Bash Woodland Community Church Bradenton, Florida on Friday, August 12.
Corey Brown (left), 10, races his twin sister, Chloe Brown (right), 10, on the bungee-run game. Corey and Chloe are starting fifth grade this year at Manatee Charter School in Bradenton, Florida.
Chloe Brown, 10, of Bradenton, Florida, laughs as she gets back up after being jerked back by her harness on a bungee-run game at the Back to School Bash at Woodland Community Church.
Samantha Encke, 3, of Bradenton, Florida, slides down the inflatable obstacle course at the Back to School Bash at Woodland Community Church. The obstacle course was a hit with the children, who waited in line by the dozens despite the rain.
Woodland Community Church Worship Arts Pastor Try Freeman spreads straw on the muddy ground as parents and children wait in line for rides behind him.
Lucy McCauley, 3, of Sarasota, Florida, huddles underneath her mother's umbrella at Woodland Community Church's Back to School Bash.
Cassidy Butler, 5, swings her legs back and forth while waiting for the ride to begin. She was on the ride with her new friend, Jocelyn Gomez (not pictured). The pair met during their first week of school at Dunn Preparatory School just last week.
Reina Garnes, 6, waves to her father, Roger Garnes, while she rides the swings at Woodland Community Church's back to School Bash. Reina started first grade last week at Dunn Preparatory School.
Giana DeJesus, 3, enjoys a snow cone at Woodland Community Christian's Back to School Bash.
Cassidy Butler, 5, holds hands with, Jocelyn Gomez, 4, while they wait their turn to play on the inflatable obstacle course. The pair only just met during their first week of kindergarten at Dunn Preparatory School.
Kate Schau chats with her students, Cassidy Butler (right) and Jocelyn Gomez (left). Schau teaches kindergarten at Dunn Preparatory School.
Rain falls as volunteers greet parents and children wait at Woodland Community Church's Back to School Bash. Executive Pastor Dewayne McFarlin has already started planning for next years bash. He's just hoping for better weather.
Woodland Community Church Children's Ministry Director, Jennifer Freeman poses with Nina Van Delen under an umbrella at Woodland Community Church's Back to School Bash.
Saniya Swilley, 8, smiles with Bishop Freeze of Sozo Missions. Bishop Freeze brought 33 children to the even Friday evening, including Saniya Swilley, who won a prize during the raffle.
Kate Schau didn't spend her 38th wedding anniversary with her husband. She spent it in the rain at Woodland Community Church's first annual Back to School Bash.
Schau, known by her students as Ms. Kate, teaches kindergarten at Dunn Preparatory Academy, a private elementary school that operates out of Woodland Community Church. Though her husband doubted if families would even show up to the event Friday evening, Schau was determined to attend.
"He said 'Nobody is going to go in the rain,' and I said 'I told my kids I was going to be there and I am going to be there,'" Schau said.
Woodland Community Church Executive Paster Dewayne McFarlin estimated about 600 people braved the rain for the event. Although it wasn't quite the turnout McFarlin had hoped for, he is already planning for next year's bash. He's just hoping for better weather.
But even as the rain began to leak through the welcome tent, volunteers continued to pass out wristbands, welcoming people to the event.
As the crowd grew, Schau wandered through the wet grass, smiling as she spotted two of her young students. The rain didn't seem the dampen her spirits.
"Life always throws you curve balls," Schau said. "But those are the best parts of life, I think."
