I've recently taken on the role of Children's Ministry Coordinator at our church--The previous coordinator had planned a series of events and sent out flyers to our kids and then she resigned--leaving someone else to carry on all these events she had planned--So tonight is suppose to be a splash bash--Here's my question--At what point do you cancel outdoor activities for heat? --It's like 95 F here but with a heat index of 105 -- Our service tonight is only an hour--So here are my options--I could cancel this splash bash (we play in sprinklers, pools etc) and just have ice cream and games downstairs, or go ahead with it, and risk that someone gets sick. --I really hate to disappoint kids, but the last thing i want is for someone to get sick or worse. --So what would you do? Would you cancel?
Thanks for all your ____@____.com K--It's not that i would have rather this been given to someone else at all--I stepped up and took this role on my own, and i love these kids--That was my reason for asking this question--because i love these kids as my own and I am responsible for them while they are at church--I would ask our pastor--if we had one, but he resigned at the same time our Coordinator did (long story) -- I had a couple of people tell me to cancel that it was too hot, while others thought it was fine--So i wanted more opinion's. Yes this is a lot of work, especially since i only found out that she had planned this a couple of days ago--but i know its a lot of fun too....So we'll go ahead with it and see how it goes. Thanks.
If they are playing in water then they will be cool , I would go ahead with the plans , if they were just outside playing on a playground without much shade then maybe you would need to rethink , if any parents really do not want their kids outside then they will choose not to come.
I would think that since you are having sprinklers and pools, it will be more than bearable and still very enjoyable for the kids. Just make sure to provide plenty of drinking water and encourage them to stay well hydrated. (Depending upon their ages, you may have to schedule water breaks to make sure they are drinking their water.)
I agree that the sprinklers and pools should make the heat more bearable for the kids, and since it sounds like your event is in the evening you won't have to worry about the hot sun blasting on you. Serve plenty of drinks and keep a good eye on the little ones. I wouldn't cancel it.
I'm in Phoenix where the evenings are consistently above 100 so 95 doesn't sound that bad especially for water play. I wouldn't cancel it. If you were holding it in the middle of the day with the sun beating down, it would be better to cancel but since you said it is 'tonight' then I think it should be fine. Just keep an eye that the kids are drinking cool water.
What are the kids going to get sick with? We live in AZ and most of the summer it's been over 105. Our kids still play outside but have water bottles to keep hydrated. So they should be fine as long as you have sunscreen and water. I don't see any reason to cancel. Have fun!
I really don't understand the problem. They are going to be cool because of the water, and as long as they have lots of water and drinks for the inside of them, they should be alright. My concern would be if they go inside for any length of time while they are wet where there is air conditioning. They could catch a chill there. But otherwise, I agree with Valerie. 95 is not that hot even with a heat index of 105. We live in southern Utah. Our normal temperature this time of year is 105 or above. I don't know what the heat index is. But when it's that hot if my kids are outside, I make sure they are playing in the water and drinking water.
Go ahead with your plans. Parents are ultimately responsible for their kids and if they think it's too hot for their kids to participate, then they will keep them home. It will be cooler in the evening, especially when you add water. Sounds like you are going to have an awesome time. Good luck!
Personally, I would cancel and do some really fun and unusual games and perhaps put on a last minute talent show or puppet show or if you or someone is a storyteller tell a story. Get creative with the things at hand and make it something they've never experienced before. If this can be done it'll build a memory of what everybody did because of the heat wave. You may want to call some other officials or ask a doctor's advice or call some of the parents to see what they think.
It's 105 here everyday. If we cancelled for heat - we would just stay in doors for 3 months. We plan things in the evening or early morning and with lots of water activities. Lots of cold drinks and sunblock on hand. Noone is going to die of heat exhaustion if they are running through a water sprinkler. I definitely wouldn't cancel. The kids are all looking forward to it and they are already going through a transition with the previous person ducking out on them. I think the deeper question is... would you rather this have been dumped in someone elses lap? It's sometimes difficult to have a glad heart when doing someone elses work. And I'm sure there is a lot of work involved. Maybe you could go to to your pastor and ask that you be assigned a co-coordinator, or an assisstant. Maybe you could just complete this activity but ask that the next one be assigned to someone else. Pray about it and ask for help. And for now, try to be a delegator. Get as many parents involved in the set up and clean up as possible. Try to take some joy in making these kids wiggle and giggle!
Don't cancel the event. It is only for one hour. The kiddos will be fine---just have plenty of water available (a water fountain, jugs of water with cups, etc.). Have fun!
sounds like perfect weather for water activities. In fact I told myself if it's as hot today as it has been the past 2 days then we are going to Oceans of Fun to cool off because it is so hot that the air isn't keeping up in the house and the vehicles don't even get cool so the best way to stay cool is to play in the water. you will probably have a great turnout on the water events. Have fun and go with it. If you are going to cancel events that have been on the church calendar all year then you need to have a parents meeting and officially cancel them at least a month in advance.
