Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
RE:Conference - Church Leader Training
About the Experience
RE: Conference is a time for foster, adoptive & kinship parents to escape the distractions and chaos of life and experience REAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
We can’t wait to see you February 2-3, 2024!
Second Saturday Christmas Party • Dinner
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
In December we have two Christmas Party options due to the colder temperatures and increased attendance. Please register for which time is best for your family:
Lunch Christmas Party • 11am-1pm
Dinner Christmas Party • 5-7pm
For our December Christmas Second Saturday, activities include:
General Store
Children get to pick out a gift for someone special, then go to the gift-wrapping station and wrap their gift.Christmas Craft
Kids create a Christmas craftCookie Decorating
Decorate Christmas cookies and enjoy the hot cocoa barPicture with Santa
Get your picture with Santa, enjoy Christmas music, and hear a Christmas story
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs as well.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Second Saturday Christmas Party • Lunch
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
In December we have two Christmas Party options due to the colder temperatures and increased attendance. Please register for which time is best for your family:
Lunch Christmas Party • 11am-1pm
Dinner Christmas Party • 5-7pm
For our December Christmas Second Saturday, activities include:
General Store
Children get to pick out a gift for someone special, then go to the gift-wrapping station and wrap their gift.Christmas Craft
Kids create a Christmas craftCookie Decorating
Decorate Christmas cookies and enjoy the hot cocoa barPicture with Santa
Get your picture with Santa, enjoy Christmas music, and hear a Christmas story
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs as well.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Church Network - Advocate Clinic
It takes time, money, and emotion to prioritize at-risk kids and their families. We’re grateful when a church partner decides to make this investment to care for vulnerable children in their local community, and we want to do all we can to help push forward their mission. To alleviate the stress and confusion that can come with creating any new ministry, we’ve created a step-by–step model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs).
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Fall Serve Day
Join us for the Fall Serve Day! This is a great time for groups to sign up for a Group Volunteer project, or individuals and families are welcome too! We need your help to get Joy Meadows ready so we can serve our amazing foster and adoptive youth throughout the fall season.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
This Second Saturday is our back-to-school event with lots of FREE STUFF for the new year.
Backpacks
School Supplies
Haircuts
Clothes
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
Art Contest 2024
2024 Theme:
“How Does Foster Care Affect People’s Lives?”
About the Theme:
At Joy Meadows, we want to learn from the individuals, families, and communities affected by foster care, and we want others across the country to learn as well. There are approximately 400,000 children in foster care across the country. There are thousands who have aged out of the system, others reunited with their biological parents, or still others have been adopted. There are biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, children in foster care, adoptees, and siblings. Each individual has a story and a perspective. What is a story that needs to be told? Is there a voice that needs a platform? Is there a person that has inspired you? What are some of the impacts of foster care that people might not consider?
Share your thoughts using art, poetry, or photography!
K-1st • Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
K-1st Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
(K-going into 2nd grade)
Saturday, July 27
9am-12:30pm
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and just plain old outdoor fun for students who are adopted or currently in the foster care system!
A child may attend one camp session per summer.
Church Network - Advocate Clinic
It takes time, money, and emotion to prioritize at-risk kids and their families. We’re grateful when a church partner decides to make this investment to care for vulnerable children in their local community, and we want to do all we can to help push forward their mission. To alleviate the stress and confusion that can come with creating any new ministry, we’ve created a step-by–step model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs).
Teen • Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
Teen Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
(completed 6th-11th grade)
Tuesday, July 16 - Friday, July 19
9am-3pm
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and just plain old outdoor fun for students who are adopted or currently in the foster care system!
A child may attend one camp session per summer.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Teen • Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
Teen Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
(completed 6th-11th grade)
Tuesday, July 9 - Friday, July 12
9am-3pm
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and just plain old outdoor fun for students who are adopted or currently in the foster care system!
A child may attend one camp session per summer.
School Supply Drive 2024
Every year Joy Meadows provides school supplies to foster and adoptive families.
Children get to choose their own brand new supplies for school at the August Second Saturday Event. And YOU get to meet that need and help bring joy to children! Any brand-new school supplies are greatly appreciated!
Deadline: Wednesday, August 7
A few priority supplies include:
New Backpacks (for both children and teens)
dry erase markers
3 ring binders (1 inch, 1.5 inch or 2 inch)
sharpies
highlighters
markers
Headphones or earbuds
Pencil boxes
Make it Easy—Order Online:
Check out our Amazon School Supply Wishlist! Order from the list and items will be delivered directly to Joy Meadows.
In-person Drop-off:
9AM-5PM Monday-Friday.
12400 170th Street Linwood, KS 66052 • Community Center
Follow the signs to the Community Center entrance located down the sidewalk and behind the house.After business hours: Use the brown delivery boxes by the entrance.
Elementary • Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
Elementary Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
(completed 2nd-5th grade)
Tuesday, June 25th - Friday, June 28th
9am-2pm
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and just plain old outdoor fun for students who are adopted or currently in the foster care system!
A child may attend one camp session per summer.
Elementary • Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
Elementary Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
(completed 2nd-5th grade)
Tuesday, June 18 - Friday, June 21
9am-2pm
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and just plain old outdoor fun for students who are adopted or currently in the foster care system!
A child may attend one camp session per summer.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for all foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Caregivers feel connected, encouraged, and supported while children engage in all the fun, outdoor activities at Joy Meadows.
Every Second Saturday features dinner for the whole family, and these four stations give predictability and fun for the children to look forward to:
Barnyard - pet the goats and donkeys, or enjoy a ride on a horse;
Nature - harvest in the garden, participate in a nature activity from planting to building or a nature trail scavenger hunt
Art - monthly themed craft in the art studio
Big Fun - Enjoy the Bouncing Pillow, barrel train rides, gaga ball, 9-square, and playground.
The Clothing Closet is always open for families to shop for needs.
Everyone is welcome to attend Second Saturday - please register every month so we can ensure enough food and supplies for your family!
Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
Church Network - Advocate Clinic April 2024
It takes time, money, and emotion to prioritize at-risk kids and their families. We’re grateful when a church partner decides to make this investment to care for vulnerable children in their local community, and we want to do all we can to help push forward their mission. To alleviate the stress and confusion that can come with creating any new ministry, we’ve created a step-by–step model called Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs).
Clothing Closet Open
The Clothing Closet is open on First Mondays for shopping!
Help make sure the closet is fully stocked in time. We are full of clothing right now, but we always need socks, underwear, diapers, and wipes. Check out what we need right now on the Amazon Wishlist.
Equine Volunteer Training 3/23
If you are interested in serving with the equine therapy program at Joy Meadows in 2024 come join us for this training! We are doubling our offerings of equine related services this season and NEED volunteers as horse handlers and sidewalkers! Sessions are offered to children on Tuesdays and Thursdays in April through October.
A 2-hour training is required for all volunteers who will help with equine therapy (i.e., hippotherapy) at Joy Meadows. During the Equine Volunteer Training volunteers will:
Meet the leaders of the program and learn the format
Understand the volunteer roles (What does a sidewalker and horse handler do?)
Learn the effects of trauma on the body
Receive an overview of trauma related behaviors
View the barn layout, tools, and supplies
Acquire horse safety tips
Participate in hands-on training for all roles
Who can be a Side Walker? Anyone over 16 who is comfortable around horses, can assist the therapist with different activities throughout the hippotherapy session, and can help stabilize the rider through different holds and positions.
Who can be a Horse Handler? Anyone over 16 who can groom and tack the horse properly before the child/client rides, lead the horse safely through the different activities directed by the therapist, and untack the horse and put it away, and has equine experience.
Prayer Gathering
A very important aspect of the prayer ministry at Joy Meadows is the collective gathering of people to pray in person. Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly prayer gatherings.
Clothing Closet Open
The Clothing Closet is open on First Mondays for shopping!
Help make sure the closet is fully stocked in time. We are full of clothing right now, but we always need socks, underwear, diapers, and wipes. Check out what we need right now on the Amazon Wishlist.
Equine Volunteer Training
Interested in serving with the equine therapy program at Joy Meadows in 2024?
We are doubling our offerings of equine-related services this season and NEED volunteers as horse handlers and sidewalkers! Equine Sessions are offered to children on Tuesdays and Thursdays in April-October.
A 2-hour training is required for all volunteers who will help with equine therapy (i.e., hippotherapy) at Joy Meadows. During the Equine Volunteer Training, volunteers will:
Meet the leaders of the program and learn the format
Understand the volunteer roles (What does a sidewalker and horse handler do?)
Learn the effects of trauma on the body
Receive an overview of trauma-related behaviors
View the barn layout, tools, and supplies
Acquire horse safety tips
Participate in hands-on training for all roles
Who can be a Side Walker? Anyone over 16 who is comfortable around horses, can assist the therapist with different activities throughout the hippotherapy session, and can help stabilize the rider through different holds and positions.
Who can be a Horse Handler? Anyone over 16 who can groom and tack the horse properly before the child/client rides, lead the horse safely through the different activities directed by the therapist, and untack the horse and put it away, and has equine experience.