EAST WATERFORD — It certainly wasn’t a cry for help. Maybe a yell of despair. More likely, just sheer screaming from the thrill of flying down a giant 140-foot waterslide at a nearly uncontrollable speed.

There was Kim Pedersen, of Chambersburg, tightly clutching the arm of her eldest daughter, 10-year-old Audrey. Mom’s eyes were shut as tight as can be and her mouth wide open, with her hair flying behind. Her scream didn’t reach the top of her lungs, but it was darn close and echoed throughout the hillside.

Turning her head to try and avoid the water spray, Audrey latched on to the arm of her younger sister, Elise, age 8, as the three sped down the slippery, water-covered slide and reached the bottom in a matter of seconds.

The moment of temporary terror was worth it for the Pedersens and other participants at last year’s inaugural Waterslide Slide-A-Thon as the proceeds benefitted the Christian Retreat Center in East Waterford.

“Going down the slide always seems to hurt a bit more when you get older,” said Kim, cautioning others about the bumpy ride. “Once you get going, you pick up a lot of speed.”

Founded in 1978, the Christian Retreat Center has remained a special place to Kim and her family over the years.

“I started going to camp there when I was 8 or 9,” she recalled. “First as a camper then as a counselor.

“I bring my family to camp there now, and I serve on the board of directors,” she added. “CRC has had a special place in my heart for my whole life.”

Audrey and Elise attended the center’s camp for a second consecutive summer and loved it.

Participating in last year’s Waterslide Slide-A-Thon was another highlight to add to the family’s collection of cherished memories.

“Growing up, it has always been a favorite place of mine. I’m happy to raise money for the camp,” Kim said.

This year’s Water Slide Slide-A-Thon is happening at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. The center hopes to raise $15,000 for Project 3,000, which helps keep it affordable, accessible and thriving for campers all year long.

Participants can sign up individually or as part of a four-person team. Registration is $20 per person, which includes lunch and a special CRC water-reveal t-shirt — when it gets wet, a surprise image is revealed.

Pedersen’s grandmother sent her and her siblings to the camp when they were young. “I’ve enjoyed all that the camp has meant to be over the years,” she said. “First as a camper then as a counselor, and now as a mom.”

Last year, the Pedersons sailed down the slide about eight to 10 times. “You stop and cheer for whoever is going down the slide,” she said. “Audrey and Elise love going down the slide. They go down on their tummies and push each other to the bottom. They love going down and making those splashes.”

Traveling 140 feet can also help them pick up a lot of momentum and speed.

Sliders are encouraged to invite friends and family to sponsor them, and center officials have set some fun incentive goals. Those who raise $250 will receive an exclusive CRC Slide-A-Thon tumbler, and those who raise $500 or more will also receive a cozy CRC blanket.

“We’ll have random prize giveaways throughout the event, thanks to generous sponsors, and we’ll also award those who complete the most slides and raise the most funds,” said Wendy Kerstetter, development and events director at the center.

“We like to say we put the fun in fundraising,” Kerstetter added. “It’s a two-hour event where individuals and teams race down our 140-foot waterslide as many times as they can — all to raise support for CRC’s year-round ministry.”

For more information, visit www.crctims.org, email wskerstetter@gmail.com or call (717) 437-8044.