Firm Foundation Christian Cooperative

Science Fair and Art Show Extravaganza
2025-05-16 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States
An End of Year Celebration for all members of Firm Foundation Co-op along with their friends and family!
We will be having a Science Fair and Art Show Extravaganza! There will be a Silent Art Auction that will be held throughout the evening with winners being announced beginning at 8:00 pm. Come enjoy refreshments as you learn about the students’ scientific discoveries and stroll through student-created artwork, enjoying the kids’ creativity.

Let's Go to St. Pat's Park!
2025-05-21 10:00 - 14:00 | St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Rd, South Bend, IN, 46637
Let’s Go to St. Pat’s Park!
50651 Laurel Rd, South Bend, IN 46637
There is no entry fee on week days right now. Pack water and a lunch. We will start out in the regular park and move over to the nature scape (right next door). We’ll eat sack lunches that you bring. Then after lunch we have a spot across the drive we like to start out to go hiking (it is rough stairs that wouldn’t be passable with a stroller but you can park really close or just stay and play in the shade down below (Creek play if it’s okay, it’s really shallow). There is two covered pavilions we can hopefully utilize. Restrooms in the building behind the playground and a port a potty next to the field by the trail we use.
Bring everything you will need (sanitizer, water, lunch, sunscreen, bugspray etc)
If it is raining significantly we will meet at the co-op church! I will try to update a confirmation through the GroupMe Announcements.

Play at Heroes Park
2025-05-28 10:00 - 14:00 | Heroes Park, 3200 Harrison Rd., Mishawaka, Indiana, 46544
Heroes Park in Mishawaka has something for everyone! There is a playground, ninja warrior course, cornhole boards, chess tables, pavilion, walking path, basketball court, soccer field, gaga ball court, and the bathrooms should be open as of Memorial Day! Bring your sack lunch, sunscreen and hats, your own cornhole bags, frisbees, basketballs, gaga ball, chess pieces, whatever you want! And come play for the day.

Cost : Free!

Class Descriptions Due
2025-05-31 | MI
Class Descriptions forms are due today! You can find the form here. (Please fill out one form for each class you will be teaching.)

Howard Park and Strikes & Spares
2025-06-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Howard Park, 5419 N Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN, 46545
We will meet at Howard Park at 10:00 for a morning of playing on the playground and eating a sack lunch. Then we’ll head to Strikes & Spares from 12-2 for their Kids Bowl Free. To participate in this program, you will need to sign your kids up for their Kids Bowl Free program here. With this program, each child receives two free games of bowling per day. You will just need to pay for bowling shoe rentals ($3.95 per pair). If any adults would like to bowl, you will need to pay for your own games.

Cost :

$3.95 per pair of bowling shoes rented

Popsicles in the Park!
2025-06-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Mary Gibbard Park, 1024 Somerset Ave, Mishawaka, Indiana, 46544
Let’s celebrate a sunny Wednesday at the splash pad and playground at Mary Gibbard Park, and enjoy a popsicle treat, provided by the Schumachers! There is also a bike park, if you are so interested. The Schumachers will not be there until about 11 am, but you are welcome to arrive before then and play. Bring a picnic lunch!

Lydick Bog
2025-06-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, 25898 US-20, South Bend, Indiana, 46628
Meet at Lydick Bog
25898 US-20
South Bend, IN 46628
https://heinzetrust.org/lydick-bog-nature-preserve/
The weather looks good for tomorrow and rain should hold off until 1:30.
Meet in Parking Lot – We plan to arrive at 10:00. At 10:30, we will begin our hike and return back to shelter for lunch and hangout between 11:30 and noon.

Hike trail, explore the bog along the boardwalk, view wetlands and continue hike through wooded area. Entire trail is about 1.7 miles. There is a place to do a half-trail for those wanting a shorter route. Much of trail is covered by trees but part is in a field that will get full sun, so sunscreen is a good idea.
Miss Susan & Ella will have a Nature Scavenger Hunt prepared, so bring a clipboard & pencil.
After hike, eat packed lunch at pavilion (several picnic tables available)
Each family packs their own lunch. There is not trash barrels so bring your own bag to take trash home. There are bathrooms on premises.
For those that can stay longer, kids will work together to create an obstacle course in the field next to the picnic table area. We encourage families to bring things that the kids can use to make the obstacle course. (hoola-hoop, jump ropes, cones, sidewalk chalk, balls, etc.)
Kids can take turns completing the obstacle course.

Cobus Creek County Park
2025-06-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Cobus Creek County Park, 30680 Co Rd 8, Elkhart, Indiana, 46514
Enjoy the sensory garden, a hike by the creek and a small playground. Feel free to pack a lunch. Bathroom available at park. There is no fee.

Stone Lake Day
2025-07-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Stone Lake Beach, Lake St, Cassopolis, Michigan, 49031
Come enjoy the water with us. This beach has an easy access from the boardwalk, some tables & chair available on site, free life jackets, kayak & paddleboard rentals $5/hrs, and a nice pier to fish from or jump off of if you are wanting a thrill.
There is a local restaurant called The Twirl that you can enjoy lunch from on the patio or bring your own lunch to enjoy. Kids meals are reasonable at $6 with a drink.
I plan to bring our 3 kayaks to share. Feel free to bring your own beach setup, chairs or umbrellas. This is a free beach with free parking.
Checkout their site fore more information https://www.cassopolis-mi.us/services/parks_and_recreation.php or feel free to reach out with any questions 574.849.4929

Blueberry Ranch
2025-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Blueberry Ranch, 54743 Buckeye Rd, Mishawaka, IN, 46545, United States
Come join us to pick blueberries!
From April Rollf: I plan to arrive right at 10 to pick blueberries and beat the heat so this will be a short event. Also, this event is weather permitting as I see rain in forecast.
U-pick is $3.10 per pound
Organic and yummy!

Registration for Fall Trimester Open for Current Members
2025-07-14 - 2025-08-24 | MI
Registration for the Fall 2025 trimester is open July 14-August 24 for those who were part of FFC during the 2024-2025 school year. You can find information about registration here.

Howard Park
2025-07-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Howard Park, 5419 N Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN, 46545
We’ll meet at Howard Park at 10:00 for a morning of playing on the playground and eating a sack lunch. They also have a splash pad as part of the park, so you may want to bring a change of clothes and towel.

St. Pat's Park
2025-07-23 10:00 - 14:00 | MI
Let’s Go to St. Pat’s Park!
50651 Laurel Rd, South Bend, IN 46637
There is no entry fee on weekdays right now. Pack water and a lunch. We will start out in the regular park and move over to the nature scape (right next door). We’ll eat sack lunches that you bring. Then after lunch we have a spot across the drive we like to start out to go hiking (it is rough stairs that wouldn’t be passable with a stroller but you can park really close or just stay and play in the shade down below (Creek play if it’s okay, it’s really shallow). There is two covered pavilions we can hopefully utilize. Restrooms in the building behind the playground and a port a potty next to the field by the trail we use.
Bring everything you will need (sanitizer, water, lunch, sunscreen, bugspray etc)

Registration for Fall Trimester Open for New Members
2025-07-28 - 2025-08-24 | MI
Registration for the Fall 2025 trimester is open July 28-August 24 for new members. You can find information about registration here.

New Member Applications for Fall 2025 Trimester Close
2025-07-30 | MI
Applications for the Fall trimester are open until July 30th.
(Applications submitted after 07/30 will be considered for the Winter trimester.)

Paytons' Pool
2025-08-13 10:00 - 13:30 | Paytons’ House, 25825 Redfield Street, Edwardsburg, MI, 49112
Come join us in our pool!

Bring a lunch, a towel, sunscreen, and a snack to share.

Fall Welcome Party
2025-09-05 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States
FFC Welcome Party!!

We are so looking forward to celebrating the start of the school year with you!!
When: Friday, September 5, 2025 5-8pm
Where: Community Evangelical Free Church (120 E. Bertrand, Niles)
What: Cookout & Fellowship
Plates, cups, napkins, lemonade, water, hot dogs, hamburgers (including veggie option), buns, condiments & veggies for the burgers will be provided.
If you would like to bring a side (chips, salad, etc.) or your favorite dessert to share, you can sign up by clicking here.
Please remember that we are a nut free cooperative!

Orientation
2025-09-10 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States
Join us for a special orientation event on September 10th!
Come from 10-11:30am for a brief orientation and to find out where your kid’s classes are. Bring a lunch and have lunch and fellowship with us afterwards if you can!

First Day of Classes
2025-09-17 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States
The first day of co-op classes is here!

Fall Week 2
2025-09-24 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Fall Week 3
2025-10-01 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Love Creek Nature Center
2025-10-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Love Creek Nature Center, 9292 Huckleberry Rd #9736, Berrien Center, MI, 49102
Let’s try our first Unofficial Family Friday! We know it’s last minute but a few of us will be at Love Creek Nature Center Friday and would love for friends to join walking through His wonderful Creation as we Fellowship together!
This is a casual get together where you can meet up with others. Information on entrance fees can be found here.

Wacky Tacky Day
2025-10-08 | MI
Co-op Week 4 is Wacky Tacky Day! Bring in all your quirky fun ideas to help spread some fun and silliness. Hair, hats and polka dots everything is game!

Fall Week 4
2025-10-08 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Fall Week 5
2025-10-15 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Matthys Farm Market Field Trip
2025-10-21 12:00 - 17:00 | Matthys Farm Market, 57754 Crumstown Hwy., South Bend, IN, 46619
Where : Matthys Farm Market, 57754 Crumstown Hwy., South Bend, IN 46619
What day : Tuesday, October 21
What time : It starts promptly at 12:00pm. We kindly request arrival at 11:45am so we can meet up and not miss the HAYRIDE!
Cost : $9 for children and $6 for adults. Includes Hayride, Pumpkin for the kids, Petting Zoo, and Corn Maze.
Online payments are due by the October 12. Cash or check payments are due at co-op Wednesday, October 15.
REMINDERS:

Each family is responsible for all costs involved in participating in this event.
Parents must stay with their children. This is not a drop-off event.

Sign up HERE!

Fall Week 6
2025-10-22 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Fall Open House
2025-10-22 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States
Join us for a full day of Chapel, fun classes, and lunchtime fellowship. Come see how our Co-op could enhance your children’s education and grow meaningful relationships for the whole family. Click here for more information and to sign up for Open House on October 22.

Fall Week 7
2025-10-29 08:30 - 15:00 | Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 E. Bertrand Rd., Niles, MI, 49120, United States

Archaeology Field Trip
2025-10-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Fort St. Joseph Museum, 408 E. Main St., Niles, MI, 49120
The Archaeology Class will be going on a field trip to the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, but we wanted to open it to the whole co-op. Our class will be doing an assignment around the exhibit about the excavation that is ongoing in Niles, MI, conducted by Western Michigan University. You are welcome to also browse the rest of the museum. There is no entry fee.
If you are able to let Gabi Tiessen know if you are coming, that would be helpful (email gabrielatiessen@gmail.com or text 269-246-1310).
