Summer Program

Welcome!

Get ready for a summer packed with fun, learning, friendships, and growing in faith! Our Christ-centered Summer Care program is designed to keep kids engaged through imaginative and educational activities rooted in the love of Jesus. Through every activity, kids will not only have a blast but also deepen their understanding of God’s love and how to share it with others. Whether through teamwork, kindness, or serving others, our days will be guided by Christian values to help kids grow spiritually and emotionally. With Jesus at the center, this summer promises to be an unforgettable time of fun, friendship, and faith!

Jim Kirk

Director of School Age Care

Why Messiah?

At Messiah, summer is filled with faith, fun, and friendship, where kids learn, play, and grow in Christ every day. Through games, creative projects, and service, children make memories while discovering God’s love.
Join a Team

Summer Camp Calendar

Mid–Late May – Early August • 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Address: 1800 S 84th St, Lincoln, NE 6850
Register Here
Registration form
Summer Program

Why Messiah?

At Messiah, summer is filled with faith, fun, and friendship, where kids learn, play, and grow in Christ every day. Through games, creative projects, and service, children make memories while discovering God’s love.

Summer Camp Calendar

Dates:
May 22 – August 5 (No Summer Camp June 22-26)
Hours:
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Address:
1800 S 84th St, Lincoln, NE 68506

Inquire Today!

Meet the Staff

Jordan Ernstmeyer

Hello! My name is Jordan Ernstmeyer and I was born and raised in Lincoln, NE. I formerly attended Messiah for elementary school, and graduated from Lincoln Lutheran. I am a member at Messiah church and often help out by singing in the worship team! I will be entering my final academic year at Concordia University – Seward this fall, majoring in Elementary Education (with my Lutheran Teachers Diploma and a minor in Psychology). At Concordia, I am a member of the Women’s Basketball team, and am in a worship band for Wednesday night contemporary worship. I love spending time with my friends and family, paint, go on walks, watch lots of movies, and listen to music! I am so blessed to be apart of this team!

Jordan Ernstmeyer brings so much joy, enthusiasm, and love to the program that it would be a tremendous blessing to have her continue working with us during the school year as well.

Lauren Gottberg

I was born and raised here in Lincoln. I attend Concordia University, Nebraska where I am majoring in K-12 Physical Education and I’m also a member of the tennis team. I enjoy playing pickleball, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Lauren Gottberg is a natural leader who brings energy and fun wherever she goes. She may not be returning this fall as she pursues her own career in education.

Avery Heins

Hi! My name is Avery Heins and I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. I attend York University in York, Nebraska and will be going into my junior year in the fall. I am majoring in Elementary Education! I also am on the women’s soccer team at York! I have a younger brother and younger sister and three crazy dogs! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, and taking walks! I am happy to be a part of this amazing team!!

Avery Hiens may be on the quieter side, but the children have found a way to bring out her fun personality, and the kids truly enjoy spending time with her.

Cali Meents

Hi, I’m Cali Meents. I attended St. John’s the Apostle Catholic School from preschool through 8th grade and graduated from Pius X High School. I will be attending Bryan College of Health Sciences to pursue my education in the healthcare field. I am excited to be working in the summer program and enjoy helping children learn, grow, and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time on the lake, listening to country music, playing softball, and making memories with my friends and family. I love staying active, being outdoors, and spending time with the people who mean the most to me.

Cali Meents has been a dependable, down-to-earth member of the team who helps keep everything running smoothly. She will likely not return after the summer as she pursues her career as a CNA.

Joshua Duitsman

My name is Joshua Duitsman, I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska where I attended Messiah for Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln Lutheran in 2022. I currently attend Concordia-University Nebraska as a K-12 Physical Education Major, and I will be student teaching in the fall. I also have been a football coach at Lincoln Lutheran for the past 3 years.

Josh Duitsman is a natural leader who is excellent with children. This will be his last summer with us, as he will be leaving in August to pursue his career in education.

Jacob Duitsman

My name is Jacob Duitsman, and I’m an Exercise Science student at Concordia University, where I also play basketball for the Bulldogs. I graduated from Lincoln Lutheran, where I was involved in athletics and developed as both a student and competitor. I enjoy learning about health and fitness, and when I’m not in class or at practice, you can usually find me lifting weights, reading, drawing, or watching TV. I’m always looking for ways to grow, compete, and make the most of my college experience.

Jacob Duitsman may be on the quieter side, but the children have found a way to bring out his fun personality and the kids truly enjoy spending time with him.

Reading Time
Special Guests
Play Time
Creative Time

How We Enjoy Our Summer Together

Games & Challenges

Kickball, Basketball, Scavenger Hunts, and Table Top Games.

Devotions and Prayer Time

Tuesday Morning Chapels, Devotions outside, and quiet prayer time.

Water Wednesdays

Cool off with water activities every week!

Teamwork

Collaborative games like dodgeball, tower building, capture the flag, escape rooms and more.

How We Enjoy Our Summer Together

Tuesday morning chapels, daily devotions, outdoor devotion time, quiet prayer, and Christ-centered discussions that encourage children to grow in faith, character, and their understanding of God’s love.

Tuesday morning chapels, daily devotions, outdoor devotion time, quiet prayer, and Christ-centered teaching woven throughout the day to help children grow in faith and character.

Cool off with weekly water fun including slip-and-slides, water balloons, squirt guns, water balloon slingshots, car washes, and other exciting summer water activities.

Collaborative activities such as capture the flag, escape rooms, tower-building challenges, group games, and team competitions that encourage leadership, communication, problem-solving, and friendship.

Arts and crafts, oil pastels, slime, DIY bouncy balls, face painting, tabletop games, mini billiards, table hockey, board games, and free time that allows children to explore their creativity and build friendships.

Movie Fridays with freshly made popcorn, STEM activities with Elizabeth from UNL, library visits with Lincoln Public Library, read-aloud time with Mr. Jim, Wildlife Encounters, Colorful Magic with Bruce, Big Gum Drop camping skills, Superbook Bible adventures, Tuttle Twins learning experiences, MythBusters-style STEM experiments, and other special programs throughout the summer.

How We Enjoy Our Summer Together

Games & Challenges

Tuesday morning chapels, daily devotions, outdoor devotion time, quiet prayer, and Christ-centered discussions that encourage children to grow in faith, character, and their understanding of God’s love.

Tuesday morning chapels, daily devotions, outdoor devotion time, quiet prayer, and Christ-centered teaching woven throughout the day to help children grow in faith and character.

Cool off with weekly water fun including slip-and-slides, water balloons, squirt guns, water balloon slingshots, car washes, and other exciting summer water activities.

Collaborative activities such as capture the flag, escape rooms, tower-building challenges, group games, and team competitions that encourage leadership, communication, problem-solving, and friendship.

Arts and crafts, oil pastels, slime, DIY bouncy balls, face painting, tabletop games, mini billiards, table hockey, board games, and free time that allows children to explore their creativity and build friendships.

Movie Fridays with freshly made popcorn, STEM activities with Elizabeth from UNL, library visits with Lincoln Public Library, read-aloud time with Mr. Jim, Wildlife Encounters, Colorful Magic with Bruce, Big Gum Drop camping skills, Superbook Bible adventures, Tuttle Twins learning experiences, MythBusters-style STEM

How We Enjoy Our Summer Together

Games & Challenges

Board games, scavenger hunts, and Google Maps activities to inspire critical thinking and teamwork.

Word & Skill-Building Fun

Spelling games, Wheel of Fortune, and crosswords.

Water Wednesdays

Cool off with water activities every week!

Teamwork

Kids will also join one of four teams—The Lions, The Bears, The Stallions, or The Falcons—earning points for participation, kindness, and respect, with a special reward for the winning team at summer’s end!

Calendar

Summer Care runs mid-late May – early August, with a break the week of July 4th for family time. Details are shared in January and registration opens in February. Click on the button below for more information!

Summer Program

Ready to Register?

Registration form

Please contact Jim Kirk | 402.489.3024 to learn about availability, ask questions or to be added to the waitlist.