By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA—Over 70 kids clapped their hands, waved their arms and shook their hips as DJ Fuzzy spun such kid-friendly classics as “YMCA” and the “Cha-Cha Slide” at Columbiana United Methodist’s first Fantastic Friday.

The church will host four Fantastic Fridays throughout the summer, on June 13 and 17 as well as July 11 and 25. Fantastic Friday is “basically just a day camp,” according to Ali Payne, director of children’s ministry.

The mission of the camp is two-fold: to fulfill a need in the community for kids to have fun, free activities during the summer as well as to minister to the children who are “basically just like sponges,” Payne said.

Each Friday lasts from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and is packed with activities according to the week’s theme. In the mornings, the kids learn a lesson and make crafts and in the afternoon “we just go crazy,” Payne said.

The first week included a dance and pizza party, but there are many more exciting things to come for the kids as the summer progresses.

On June 27, the theme is “Gotta Slide!” and kids will participate in a water slide and water wars; July 11 is “Gotta Play!” and kids will play games based on reality-television shows Wipeout and Minute to Win It; and July 25 is “Gotta Bounce!” where kids will jump and play in inflatables.

Katie McDonald, one of the kids with the camp, is most excited about the water slide and water war.

“It’s gonna be so much fun,” McDonald said. “I can’t wait.”

The camps hosts all ages, from four-year-olds to fifth-graders, and many of the counselors agree that the kids are the best part of the camp.

“The kids are just hilarious, and they’re so much fun,” Payne said.