Sun and fun at Kings Island amusement park

Forty-seven FamiliesFORWARD After-School Program students, along with two group leaders and 10 chaperones, enjoyed some beautiful Cincinnati sunshine while experiencing the fun and entertainment at the 112th annual AAA Children’s Outing at Kings Island.

The 8- to 10-year-olds rode the rides and enjoyed a well-stocked picnic area for lunch — hamburgers, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, chips, soda pop and ice cream. Two-thirds of the children had never participated in the event, which occurred June 25, 2019, at the amusement park. For more than 20 years, FamiliesFORWARD students have participated, thanks to the generosity of AAA.

The AAA Children’s Outing began in 1907 as a picnic and car ride at Burnet Woods for 850 underprivileged children. The day now is funded by donations from AAA members and others. The outing took place at the Cincinnati Zoo and Coney Island before moving to Kings Island in 1975, according to the amusement park’s website. Typically, more than 1,500 children from across Greater Cincinnati participate each year. FamiliesFORWARD has participated in the event for more than 15 years.

FamiliesFORWARD arranged for buses to transport students to and from Kings Island.

FamiliesFORWARD students at Bond Hill Academy of Math and Science Discovery, Carson School and Hays-Porter School who participated:

Tearah Baker, Kaiden Bowen, Kevin Braley, Camron Brooks, Kimaury Cody, Marley Conley, Alexis Crutchfield, Jada Crutchfield, Luis Cruz-Lopez, Ricky Cruz-Lopez, Errick Daniels, Kyvee Daugherty, Donairra Diggs, Zamyla Diggs, Jayme Feuchter-Wright, Gabrielle Ford, Jenlee Foster, Makayla Gibson, Makiya Harrold, Kimberleigh Hogan, Jovan James, Namir Johnson, Mariyah Kirksey, Mohomed Kouyate, Esmeralda Lopez-Hemandez, Sania Maye, Michael Mollaun, Oraye Napo, Benjamin Nettles, Chrisieyona Patterson, Enijah Pollard, LeeAnn Price, Dontezz Shepard, Ke’Von Shepard-Jefferson, Jade Showes, Paulina Taylor, Aden Teart, Mamadon Tonre, Kyrin Velaquez-Bolton, Laney Wells, Lily Wells, Nick Wells, Alana Williams, Malik Williams, Aniyah Willis, R’aSvyah Willis and DaNautica Wilson.


—Bill Ferguson Jr.