Its format is a compact disk suitable for use on Windows 98 and above, with each disk permitted to be used on only one computer. The disk claims, “Recreation Express brings together two resources — a games book and software for your computer.” To use this resource, the owner installs the 100-plus game database on his or her computer. By selecting an option in each among six categories such as “age group,” “level of activity,” “indoor or outdoor,” “size of group,” “formation,” and “length of time for activities,” the user can see the results of a search of the database as it displays a choice of games with directions and a supply list of needed materials.
Clearly youth fellowship advisors can use “Recreation Express.” Leaders of older adults and children will also find this resource helpful. For example, I am helping plan a “Getting to Know Your New Bible” workshop held annually for third-graders and their parents following the worship service in which the church gives these children each a Bible. I simply entered “Intergenerational,” “Indoor,” “Low [activity level],” and a desired time length to view ideas and game directions.
The categories are broad enough not to be too limited but narrow enough to allow a children’s Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, Bible school director, or youth advisor to locate age-appropriate activities. The age breakdown is as follows: elementary (kindergarten through fifth grade – ages 5-11); youth/adult (ages 12 through adult); older adult; and intergenerational (preschool through grandparents together). There are three activity level choices: high (running out of breath), medium (very little running; slightly winded); and low (sitting down — “more brain than breath” according to the software). As a minister working with children and young adults primarily, I found the material to be clear, concise, and well-organized.
The software creators are familiar to their fellow Presbyterians. H. Lee Cross is a member of the steering committee for Montreat’s Annual Recreation Workshop. Cross is a graduate of James Madison University in recreation management who lives in Suffolk, Va., where he helps his presbytery’s youth ministry team.
Beth Bannerman Gunn is the associate for youth with the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. She is a North Carolina State University graduate with a degree in recreation resource administration. She knows youth ministry thoroughly, having served as a staff person for the PC(USA) Triennium in 2004 and again in 2007, leading a team in planning activities for 5,000 high school youth.
The material costs $29.95, plus $3.00 for shipping, and may be ordered from their Web site, www.recreationexpress.com or by sending a check to: Recreation Express, Attn: Lee Cross, 1707 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434.
Nelle McCorkle Bordeaux is a Presbyterian minister in Savannah, Ga.
