Summer days can be long and lazy for youth, especially for those with few options outside the home.

So, St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park decided to form a Family Day to bring kids and their parents or caregivers together for a fun-filled afternoon on Saturday, July 15. Eight people turned out for the first-time event, and organizer David Kellogg is hoping for a bigger turnout the next go-around.

“The game event came off, but (was) not as well-attended as we had hoped,” said Kellogg, a parishioner at St. Richard’s. “We decided next month to have it start later, at 4 p.m., and then serve takeout pizza for dinner.”

Kellogg also said he would begin planning for the next event a little earlier, putting out a sign-up sheet three weeks in advance in an effort to gain more commitments.

Despite a low turnout for the first event, participants had a good time playing Ping-Pong, and the popular board games Monopoly and Clue. “We did have some good times, so we felt like it would be good to give it another try, and this time with more promotion,” Kellogg said.

Kellogg said the idea for a Family Day came up earlier in the year when the church’s fellowship committee was trying to think of events for the kids over the summer.

“We thought the younger kids would be accompanied by their parents anyway, so we decided to make it a family affair; and many adults enjoy board games and other activities like Ping-Pong, as I do, so it was decided to call it a Family Game event,” he said.

Kellogg received some assistance from fellow parishioner Kelly Irwin, an elementary school teacher, and the event became a reality.

“We simply put an announcement in our bulletin and email asking for any interested friends and family members to join us for a Saturday afternoon of board games and other activities,” Kellogg said. “We hope people will bring other school friends and neighbors, so (it’s) definitely not limited to St. Richard’s only.”

Family Day organizers said the fellowship group has Monopoly, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Twister, dominoes, backgammon, cards, and other games for participants to enjoy. “Plus, the parish has acquired a new Ping-Pong table,” Kellogg said. “We asked people to bring their favorite games as well, along with a snack to share.”

To help, volunteer or inquire about the next Family Day, please call St. Richard’s at 407-671-4211.