Chip Richter's new online kids' show is based in Lakeside

LAKESIDE - Many children’s favorite Lakeside friend, Chip Richter, is bringing his fun and inspirational children’s programming into living rooms around the world.

Richter, who gained popularity with his God Squad program at Lakeside, will launch "Once Upon a Porch", an online kids’ series, on Jan. 6. The faith-based show will feature the music, fun, and puppetry that made Richter a well-loved Lakeside performer.

Richter has long wanted to create a television show for kids, and the online series opened that door in an unexpected way.

God Squad friends to visit new show

“It’s been a longtime dream of mine to do a television show, and technology caught up to my dream,” he said. “This opportunity came through some generous folks at Lakeside who asked me about my dreams. I shared this idea with them, and that’s really how this happened.”

Once Upon a Porch will feature original music by Richter. Some familiar faces from God Squad will visit the show, along with new friends created just for Once Upon a Porch.

“It’s an experience of music, imagination, creativity and storyline,” Richter said. “There will be a community of friends introduced on the show. Granny Waggles is a brand-new character, and the kids will meet Hank the Monster.”

Through the series, Richter will help kids discover their “superpowers,” he said.

Kindness is a kid superpower

“Everyone has superpowers, but we forget. Love, joy and peace are superpowers. Kindness is an amazing superpower. It works,” Richter said. “It’s not just for kids. We all need to hear that message. We’re all given this amazing ability to heal and give life.”

Richter will host the series on the fun, “front porch” inside Lakeside’s Bradley Temple.

“The windows go up, the doors open, and it has a really cool mailbox,” said Lakeside’s VP of Advancement and Marketing, Gretchen Colón. “Kids can go to Lakeside in the summer and experience the front porch they see in the videos.”

The mailbox will be an important tool of connectivity on the series.

Kids can send letters to the 'Front Porch'

“It’s a way for kids watching at home to send me a letter or a coloring page or a picture of a craft they made,” Richter said.

Connection is a foundational purpose for creating Once Upon a Porch.

“The show is really to just create a welcoming space for kids no matter where they are watching from. I wanted this to be something for everyone, whether they come from a faith tradition or not,” Richter said. “This was created as a welcoming, exclusive space for all kids. Whether you come to Lakeside or not, you can be a part of the community.”

On the other hand, the show will introduce Lakeside to families who may be unfamiliar with the community and its educational, recreational and spiritual resources.

“It’s an opportunity for kids to connect with Lakeside, whether they live far away or in Marblehead or Port Clinton,” Richter said.

Once Upon a Porch is part of Lakeside’s efforts to offer more online resources in the offseason.

“Lakeside is looking to offer more online experiences through the winter months. We have Advent studies and book discussions and a lot of online experiences for free,” Colón said.

More information on Once Upon a Porch, including registration information and the online link, visit https://lakesideohio.com/see-and-do/arts-entertainment/once-upon-a-porch/.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at  sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Richter to host 'Once Upon a Porch' children's show