School Supply Drive 2026
Back to School Drive! During our Second Saturday event on August 8th, each school aged child will be able to select a new backpack and fill it with school supplies to help with going back to school!
Second Saturday • Back to School!
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This August event includes a school supply and backpack drive, dinner for the whole family, and fun, predictable activity stations that support children and encourage caregiver connection.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Art Camp • K-1
A half-day Art Camp near Kansas City for children in foster care entering kindergarten through 1st grade. Students explore paint, collage, sculpture, printmaking, and creative play in the classroom and across the Joy Meadows Campus, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and fun. Registration is $10 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
August Network Gathering
The Joy Meadows Network brings together pastors, ministry leaders, nonprofits, community organizations, and advocates who are passionate about supporting children impacted by foster care and the families who care for them. Through collaboration, resource sharing, encouragement, and relationship-building, the network works to strengthen support systems for foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological families while fostering a culture of unity and collective impact across the community.
Animal Day Camp • Elementary
Animal Day Camp invites animal-loving kids to spend hands-on time with barn animals, build new skills and friendships, and explore biblical truths through interactive lessons. Open to foster and adoptive youth, and biological children in fostering families.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This September event features an Apple Festival with nature trails, hands-on activities, and outdoor fun, along with dinner for the whole family and predictable stations children can look forward to.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Animal Day Camp • Middle & High School
Animal Day Camp invites animal-loving kids to spend hands-on time with barn animals, build new skills and friendships, and explore biblical truths through interactive lessons. Open to foster and adoptive youth, and biological children in fostering families.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This October event features pumpkin activities, outdoor play, and hands-on fall fun, along with a shared meal and predictable stations children can enjoy and caregivers can count on.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This November event features fall-themed activities, outdoor play, and shared fun in a predictable, supportive environment where caregivers and children can connect and feel encouraged.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Second Saturday • Christmas Celebration • Lunch
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This December event features a General Store and Christmas Celebration, offering families a festive, supportive space to connect, share a meal, and enjoy meaningful holiday experiences together. Two time options are available to best serve families.
Second Saturday • Christmas Celebration • Dinner
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering for foster, adoptive, and kinship families at Joy Meadows, offering dinner, connection, and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Kids enjoy predictable stations like Barnyard, Nature, Art, and Big Fun while caregivers find encouragement and support.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Art Camp • Elementary
An immersive Art Camp near Kansas City for children in foster care who’ve completed grades 2–5. Students explore paint, collage, sculpture, printmaking, and other creative processes in the classroom and across the Joy Meadows Campus, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and fun. Registration is $15 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
Animal Day Camp • Elementary
Animal Day Camp invites animal-loving kids to spend hands-on time with barn animals, build new skills and friendships, and explore biblical truths through interactive lessons. Open to foster and adoptive youth, and biological children in fostering families.
Middle School • Nature Camp
A trauma-informed Nature Camp near Kansas City for middle school youth in foster care (grades 6–8). Campers engage in choice-based, sensory-rich activities including animal care, trail exploration, scavenger hunts, and a collaborative low ropes course that builds confidence, regulation, and healthy peer connections. Registration is $15 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
High School • Weekend Retreat
A restorative weekend retreat near Kansas City for high school youth in foster care. Students slow down and reconnect through nature, animal interaction, team-building, creative reflection, and water activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking. This is a non-overnight retreat. Registration is $15 and includes snacks and Saturday breakfast and lunch.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Elementary • Nature Camp
A trauma-informed Nature Camp near Kansas City for children in foster care who’ve completed grades 2–5. Campers engage in sensory-rich, choice-based activities like caring for animals, exploring trails, scavenger hunts, and a collaborative low ropes course that builds confidence, regulation, and connection. Registration is $15 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. This July event features water activities alongside dinner, outdoor play, and predictable activity stations that help caregivers feel supported and children feel safe and engaged.
Art Camp • Middle & High School Students
An immersive art camp in Kansas City for middle and high school children in foster care. Students explore painting, collage, sculpture, printmaking, and other studio processes through collaborative projects and independent work, developing their own artistic voice. Registration is $15 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
K-1st • Outdoor Adventure Camp
A half-day Outdoor Adventure Camp near Kansas City for children in foster care and adopted children entering kindergarten through 1st grade. Campers enjoy age-appropriate outdoor activities designed to build connection, confidence, and joy in a supportive environment. Registration includes snacks, meals, and lots of fun. One camp session per child each summer.
Elementary • Outdoor Adventure Camp
The Outdoor Adventure Day Camp provides new enrichment experiences, relational connection, and outdoor fun. From barn animals and horseback riding to gardening, cooking, lake adventures, art projects, and good old outdoor fun, this experience is packed with hands-on activities that invite kids to explore, create, and play all day long.
Joy Multiplied • Linwood Campus Gathering
Join us at Joy Meadows’ Linwood Campus for a morning of vision, stories, and connection as we share the heart behind Joy Multiplied, our 2026–2027 capital campaign to expand impact for children and families.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Elementary • Outdoor Adventure Camp
An Outdoor Adventure Day Camp in Kansas City for children in foster care who’ve completed 2nd–5th grade. Campers enjoy animals, gardening, kayaking, art projects, and classic camp fun in a relational 4:1 environment. Registration is $20 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
Second Saturday
Second Saturday is a monthly gathering in Kansas City for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Caregivers find connection and support while children enjoy predictable, fun activity stations—including animals, nature, art, and big outdoor play. Dinner is provided, and the Clothing Closet is open for family needs.
Backyard Bible Club
Joy Meadows is partnering with Greenleaf Performance Academy and the Kelly family to bring this event to you! We will spend or morning at Joy Meadows then head to Kelly Cove in the afternoon for some lake time and then The Greenleaf team of students lead the kids in songs, a Bible skit, snack and small group activity on the lawn.
June Network Gathering
A relaxed space to connect, share updates, and explore collaboration.
Middle School • Outdoor Adventure Camp
A summer Outdoor Adventure Day Camp in Kansas City for children in foster care who’ve completed 6th–8th grade. Campers enjoy animals, gardening, kayaking, art, and classic camp fun in a highly relational 4:1 environment. Registration is $20 and includes a camp t-shirt, all meals, and snacks.
Animal Day Camp • K-1
Animal Day Camp is perfect for kids who love animals and hands-on fun! Campers work with horses, make new friends, and discover biblical truths through engaging activities. Open to foster and adoptive youth and biological children in fostering families.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Joy Run 2026
Join the Challenge. Support Foster Care.
The Joy Run is a fun, family-friendly obstacle run that brings our community together to support children and families impacted by foster care.
Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps fuel the work of Joy Meadows—providing stability, healing, and community support for children in foster care and the families who care for them.
No experience needed. Just show up ready to move, laugh, and be part of something meaningful.
Community Partners Lunch
You're Invited
We're opening the doors.
Join us for a luncheon and exclusive first look at the future Joy Meadows KCK Campus — a space we're dreaming into a Family Resource Center for biological, kinship, and foster families, and the children and youth they love.
Come tour what's possible. Hear the vision. And sit down with churches, nonprofits, agencies, and community partners who share your heart for Kansas City families.
This is more than a preview — it's a gathering of people who believe that when we work together across the metro, families don't just survive. They heal, they stabilize, and they find joy.
We'd love for you to be part of what comes next.
Animal Day Camp • K-1
Animal Day Camp is perfect for kids who love animals and hands-on fun! Campers work with horses, make new friends, and discover biblical truths through engaging activities. Open to foster and adoptive youth and biological children in fostering families.
Volunteer Appreciation Brunch and "Joy Multiplied"
Join us for the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at Joy Meadows as we celebrate the incredible volunteers who support our mission. Enjoy fellowship, gratitude, and a special update on the Joy Multiplied Campaign and the future of our programs.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
Art Class
A choice-based art class designed for children in foster care ages 5–13. Students explore painting, collage, sculpture, drawing, and printmaking in a supportive, creative space. Registration is $20 and includes snacks.
Clothing Closet • Shopping Day
Shopping day for the Joy Meadows Clothing Closet. Free event that is for all families impacted by foster care.
Ministry Leaders Neighbors Coffee Gathering
A relaxed space to connect, share updates, and explore collaboration.
Prayer Gathering
Monthly Prayer gathering at the Linwood Campus. We have a prayer team that is ready to pray for any needs or requests that you may have!
RE: Pre Conference for Ministry Leaders
Leading Well: Encouragement & Connection for Ministry Leaders
Hosted by Joy Meadows, Sarah and Justin Oberndorfer
Pastors and ministry leaders are invited to a dedicated gathering focused on strengthening ministry to foster and adoptive families. This session is not a workshop or training, but rather a structured opportunity to:
Connect and network with peers in ministry
Exchange ideas and proven practices
Gain access to new resources and tools
Identify next steps for supporting foster and adoptive families within your congregation
This complimentary event is designed to provide fresh perspectives, practical insights, and valuable connections. Attendance is free, but space is limited.
RE: Pre Conference: Navigating the Child Welfare System
CINC 101: Navigating the Child Welfare System
The child welfare system is complex. There are overlapping systems which include the legal, social, administrative, and sometimes even the criminal justice system, it's easy to see how it can become overly complex. These intersections often create confusion, burnout, and frustration. When that happens, families can miss out on the support they need to thrive, and even the most well-intentioned helpers may find their efforts frustrated.
This interactive orientation is designed for people involved in the child welfare system. Together, we’ll build a shared understanding of how the system works, reflect on our roles and influence, examine the power we hold, and learn to consider different perspectives so we can work toward better outcomes for families and communities.
The session is open to parents, foster parents, caseworkers, therapists, educators, and anyone supporting children and families within the system.
Included with RE: Conference Registration
Trainers:
Shanelle Dupree & Sarah Oberndorfer
Note: To register for ONLY this session, first select the “Clear Selection” button on the RE: Conference registration, then scroll to “Pre-Conference Workshops” and select CINC 101.