Christmas Store Drive 2026
Children impacted by foster care have few opportunities where they are provided with dignity, choice, recognition and control. They have many people in their lives who they care for deeply, and little opportunity to extend generosity or recognize that relationship in a tangible way. That’s why we have an annual Joy Meadows General Store!
Every December, Joy Meadows hosts a Christmas event for over 500 foster and adoptive children. It is full of fun activities for the children, but the main event is the General Store. Children get to “shop” and pick out new gifts for someone that they love. They get to wrap the gift with care and create a personalized card. It is amazing to see their joy in getting to select something for someone else.
Here is how you can help provide that joy through a General Store Gift Drive:
With your team, organization or volunteers, collect donations of new gifts that cost $10. This can be done at an event or an ongoing basis that works for your team. Think of gift ideas your children would buy for a mom, dad, brother, or sister. A few examples include:
• For mom: candles, lotion, journals, spa gifts, blankets, socks
• For dad: gloves, hats, card games, shaving kits, sports items, coffee
• For siblings: games, arts and craft kits, sensory items, toys, hats/gloves
• For everyone: gift cards to various stores for $10Email Jarred to Drop off items by December 7th so they can be available for children at our Christmas event.
You may also purchase items from the Amazon Registry List to have them directly shipped to Joy Meadows.
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!
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Cancelled • 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.
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.
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.
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 • 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.
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.
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!
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.