Every year, the Celebrate the Young Child Collaborative puts on three events for the youngest children in the Crookston community in an effort to support the children and their families at this critical time in their growth. The third event for Celebrate the Young Child is coming up on Tuesday, April 22, and we caught up with Early Childhood Coordinator Gina Gunderson to find out what is planned for it.
This third and final event of the year usually takes place at Crookston High School, but this year, it will be taking place at Washington School. “It’s actually going to be at Washington School this year, which is new; it’s typically been at the High School,” says Gunderson. “We are hoping for a nice day so we can be outside and play. We have our great playground and green space.”
The event falling on Earth Day made for creative planning. “We are excited that it falls on Earth Day this year, so we decided to just go with that theme and embrace the magic of nature on Earth Day,” says Gunderson. “We will be doing a lot of hands-on activities that focus on the amazing earth we have.”
What else can you look forward to while participating in the Celebrate the Young Child Earth Day event? “We offer a light meal during the event,” says Gunderson. “Lots of community resources. We will have booths here so families can walk around and see what great resources we have in our community while their children are playing.”
Families with children aged birth to age eight are encouraged to attend the Celebrate the Young Child event. There is so much information available to families at these events and lots of activities to keep the children busy. “ Our Celebrate the Young Child Collaborative consists of Polk County Public Health, the Crookston Public Library, RiverView Health, Our Savior’s Lutheran School, UMC, and Crookston Public Schools,” says Gunderson. “They all bring an activity to do as well. Riverview typically does an obstacle course, which is a really big hit. I think head start will bring sensory tables again; we usually have the parachute here. We’ve done face painting in the past, but this year, we are going to do Earth Day tattoos.”
Mark your calendar if you have children ages birth to eight, and make sure to come and attend this fun, free, family-oriented event on Tuesday, April 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Washington School.
