Lisa Eckert, director of early learning with Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), has made a few changes to the Lunch & Learns held in the park each summer. "This year, we switched it up a little," reported Eckert.

Among the changes, the program has moved from mid-summer to June. This year's Lunch & Learns will be held on Wednesdays, June 11 to July 9. As in the past, the 2025 events will take place in Paradise Park, 6 London Vale Road, Gordonville, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

As always, Lunch & Learns will offer Pequea Valley-area children an opportunity to enjoy a free lunch and to take part in group games, STEM activities, crafts, gross motor activities, reading enrichment, and more. However, this year, some of the enrichment activities that are part of each Lunch & Learn will be honed to align with the Summer Bridge Challenge that PVSD is putting in place for students this summer.

"The school will send out Summer Bridge Activity packets," explained Eckert, who noted that the packets will include a book and resources for the learners along with exercises to do at home. "We are tweaking the enrichment activities to focus on different skills the school is sharing for summer work. We are designing all our activities to go with that." Eckert noted that each student's packet will be based on his or her grade level. "There are flash cards and other (learning devices) in this pack, and we will have a space for them to work on these," noted Eckert, who added that bonus activities from the book, such as science experiments, will be incorporated into the Lunch & Learn enrichment stations.

Lunch & Learn activities are designed for elementary-age students, and children and youths from birth to age 18 are welcome. Parent or caregiver supervision is required for children who attend. Organizers request that families that plan to attend register ahead of time at https://tinyurl.com/4248j29y. "Registration helps us to plan," noted Eckert.

Lunches will include a variety of food items, such as sandwiches, crackers, cheese, meat, vegetables, and snacks. Advocacy resources from The Factory Ministries will be available for families to learn about the availability of food and other aid.

As in the past, Lunch & Learn enrichment activities will include presentations by local guests, including Girvin's Gardeners and the Paradise Fire Company.

According to Eckert, the idea is to offer lunch and a chance to learn in a comfortable atmosphere. "We will have free books - both new and used books - and time for reading," she said. "It's set up to be very casual."

The annual Back-to-School Extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. at The Factory Ministries, 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise. This year's giveaway will feature free school supplies and free haircuts.

Volunteers are needed to help with both the Lunch & Learns and the Back-to-School Extravaganza. Donations of school supplies are requested as well. Readers who would like to help out by donating or volunteering may email Lisa-eckert@pequeavalley.org or call 717-314-2517.