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More details for family networking in the Fort Greene Brooklyn area (second part) but can be used elsewhere also

on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 02:23

I have been working with about a dozen other parents informally and have one set of gatherings planned for a certain group.

I realize getting another dozen or so parents to help coordinate (greet and help a gathering along even with a 10 minute circle time and encouragement to pair up with one or two others and learn some names and enjoy the outdoors or whatever event may work) would be one 'next step'. 

The bigger concerts at Fort Greene Park  in Brooklyn on Wednesday mornings at 10 am (see their site for details ) are nice for people to enjoy with a blanket and snacks with friends...and maybe we could see who would like to make a new friend as well afterward if people have another half hour or so to do that.
Again, this would all be voluntary and without fees (as I mention on the Turtle Garden Circle of Friends post. if one google's that is should come up.)
 
Ideas I have shared with organizers of the FG Park concerts (Julian, a very helpful person who also is up on his First Aid) was to have one or more 'aisles' so people can walk more safely up and down the hill and find their friends, etc.
 
This idea is one used at many folk festivals (such as Old Songs which is family friendly in Albany NY the last weekend of June 2017, check their site out. Kids under 12 are free usually at this one and Falcon Ridge, a popular one in Hillsdale NY area both a couple of hours north of NYC.)
 
 Also for Saturdays to give parents time to socialize, the 3 to 5 year olds could meet from 11am to noon at a playground, again with one or two folks maybe planning to offer a chance for people to gather or meet more informally. Those parents with infants through 2 year olds could meet from 10 to 11am. The idea can be fine-tuned but this is to get the ball rollin'.

With some forethought ideas could be shared to have a theme or at least encourage people to draw a turtle logo on a t-shirt (front or back, small or large) and have adults put their first name and maybe their child's first name (as each is comfortable or nickname for one or both) to help people get to know each other.

 If people want to tune in with a color (solid or print fine) some options are Blue for Boys and Green for Girls of any age, maybe lighter shades for younger kids and darker for older kids. If wanting a color for each age, infants can be yellow or beige for boys, white or pink for girls. (or white and yellow for all 1 year olds, not based on genders.)

 
then the following with the colors for all ages not based on gender as for 1 year olds--peach or orange, for 2 year olds blue, for 3 year olds red, for 4 year olds yellow, for 5 year olds--green
 
If numbers or groups for genders are of interest, here are some sample color themes. A neutral color from above can also be used or a beige. For caregivers, matching the color shirt of the children in one's care could also be an option (for the events or meeting people initially to help find one another. 
 
 Options to the colors for adults could also be a blue or white shirt, ideally with a small turtle drawn on the front upper corner with someone's nickname, first name or just the turtle. The Turtle Logo could be drawn as inspired with a circle to indicate 'circle of friends'. I may be able to get some printed up to help advertise this. Let me know if you have talents, interests or underwriting interest in this to build team spirit. The effort can be encouraging to many as they make it their own. Other posts on "Acorns to Oaks Team Outreach or Friends United Network' on this blog are similar in nature and about community building, age group by age group. Thinking KAPP grew out of that as a way to promote Kids, Adults, Parents Partnership and help everyone feel included and valued. As with much of what I am suggesting, do what works with your existing friends and groups and ideally extend an invitation to others who may benefit from feeling connected to such an effort.
 
If every week is a bit much, focus on one that works for your area, friends and so on. Libraries and other venues that welcome families with young children can be used to meet informally as well, ideally  with groups of 10 or so then starting a new group as needed.
 
 For 1 year olds peach or orange for boys, light purple or pink for girls --
 2 year olds--royal blue for boys,  light green for girls
3 year olds-red for boys and light blue for girls
4 year olds-brown or beige for boys, yellow for girls
5 year olds-green for boys, royal blue for girls

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