DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Calvary Christian Center in the greater Daytona Beach area creates a memorable Easter adventure for over 38 local families during the Egg-Ceptional Trail Hunt on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Created as an event for special needs children and their families, the Egg-Ceptional Trail Hunt combined the Easter story with engaging activities to stimulate all five senses. Set up in Calvary’s Kids Center, some of the activities included decorating gluten-free cookies, making egg shakers, exploring sensory bins, and taking a moment to stop for prayer.
For the sense of sight, there were even opportunities to hunt for eggs in a special blacklight room. Each station had an activity leader, activity crew and sanitation crew to ensure a safe, fun and clean environment. A personal trail guide hosted guests as they followed a visual sticker map to make their way through the trail. Along the trail, children and their families were able to scavenge for over 2,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes, including 260 gluten-free eggs.
“We received information in the mail about the event and loved every bit of it! Taking our three children through the five senses incorporated into the egg hunt was a very thoughtful concept,” the Howland family said.
Thanks to the support of 40 community volunteers, the leadership of event coordinator Jessica Bunn, and the partnership of four local businesses – Easterseals, Blue Jay Academy, New Journey Chiropractic and Calvary Christian Academy – the church was able to warm hearts and put smiles on faces with this family-centered event.
“I’m very impressed by the organization and thoughtfulness behind the event. The team did a fantastic job, and the families really enjoyed themselves,” said Dorothy Ledford, the Vice President of Clinical Services with Easterseals Northeast Central Florida.
For the past ten years, Calvary Christian Center had been known for hosting large egg hunts reaching over 5,000 people as a free event in the community, but due to the pandemic, 2020 was the first year in a decade their well-known egg hunt was put on pause. This year, while following safety precautions, Calvary decided to reignite the tradition and provide local families a chance to celebrate Easter in an exciting way.
“This event was needed. Families felt so loved,” volunteer Grace Manuel said.