For 19 years, the Purpose of God Annex has provided a fun, structured environment for Washington kids each summer. With this year’s program coming to a close, the 2019 season has been one of learning, growth and fun, according to Bishop Samuel Jones Jr.

For the children participating in the summer program, the Annex offers a blend of education and entertainment, Jones said. From classroom lessons on subjects such as reading, math and science and religion to outdoor activities and arcade games, students have the chance to learn and have fun, all while learning how to be respectful, learning manners and good behavior.

“We modify behavior,” Jones said. “We take care of making sure the kids have respect, manners, ‘Yes, sir,’ ‘No, sir,’ shirts in their pants, know how to say ‘Excuse me,’ and when they get belligerent with attitudes, we’ve got corporal punishment in place to deal with it.”

Older students take on a leadership roll at the Annex, as teenage attendees participate in the Teach a Teen program. From working with younger kids to earning a little bit of money, the program shows teenagers how to be responsible and prepares them for adulthood.

“We teach them how to be a cohesive unit with our staff, how to get in the workforce and prepare them, when they turn 15 or 16 to get their work permit,” Jones said. “When we give the staff a check, we give them a small check, help them open a bank account and get them good about making money and not having things just given to them.”

As for the younger kids, there’s plenty to love about the Annex. Ten-year-old Michael Waters has been attending the Annex for four years, and enjoys his time there.

“I like the computer lab because it’s got lots of games to play,” Waters said. “I like the movie room because Bishop has lots of movies that everyone can watch.”

Serenity Norfleet, also 10, and in her fourth year in the summer program, says she has learned a lot in her time at the Annex.

“We have a lot of fun and in the school program, they teach us a lot of things for when we get out of school,” Norfleet said. “They help us with things we don’t know, like times tables and division. … We learned about science, some of the books of the Bible, we learned about character traits and just had a lot of fun.”