Fifth Annual AYM Block Party

Activate Youth Ministry (AYM) will host its fifth annual Block Party for middle school and high school kids on Friday, Sept. 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Connect Community Church (280 Pleasant St. Ashland, MA 01721). 

AYM hosts this free event to offer kids in Ashland and surrounding towns a safe place to gather and have a great time. 

“Kids love the Block Party, and they look forward to it all year.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the youth of our community and have a positive influence on them,” AYM Director Holly Sander said.  “The 2012 Block Party will be bigger, brighter, and better… there will be more games, more prizes, and more food than ever before.  We were thrilled to have 240 kids last year and we’re expecting over 300 this time around—especially since Block Party 2012 is on a Friday night.”

AYM’s teens, who call themselves “Activators,” are once again working diligently to spread the word about Block Party.  “The Activators are passing out over 1000 invites to friends and schoolmates. They are canvassing schools during lunches, events and football games, and, of course, they’re promoting the event via Facebook and Twitter,” Sander said. 

Block Party 2012 will offer inflatable games like “The Equalizer,” Pedestal Joust, and a 50-foot Obstacle Course.  There also will be other ‘mystery’ games. “I can’t say what ‘mystery’ games we’ll have, but let’s just say these games won’t be for the faint of heart or weak of stomach,” Sander said.  There also will be a photo booth, drinks, frozen treats, hotdogs, burgers, popcorn, cotton candy and lots of prizes.  This year, AYM will give away $700 worth of prizes, including an XBOX 360, iPods, sports gear, movie tickets, gift cards for Dunkin’ Donuts, Ben & Jerry’s, iTunes, and much more.