A bounce house, live bands, sports challenges, goldfish, indoor archery, community dinner and someone dressed like a cow….does that sound like school conferences to you?
That was the scene on February 2nd during school conference time at Cardinal Middle School.
Cardinal Family Fest is a fun family event aimed at getting kids off their ‘devices’ by providing local opportunities to engage in their community now and in the future. The project is part of a county-wide effort to develop positive assets in our kids, build school and community relationships, and increase students’ capacity to resist unhealthy behaviors in the future.
Volunteers stuffed ‘asset building’ information into bags donated by the library. Over 85 families took the materials, as an estimated 150 people played games then listened to live music while grabbing dinner with the family. By the end of the night many had learned about the vast number of free, low cost and unique activities in the area.
The Family Fest Committee would like to thank the local programs that came out and remind the community of what services they offer:
-Camp Burton: Summer and day camp, Tee Pee Camp for 5th/6th grade, camp counseling opportunities, Family Camp, retreats and group rental. 440-834-8984
-Geauga YMCA: Latchkey, trial and student memberships, classes and educational programs.
-Geauga YAC, Youth Led Prevention-Student leadership and service. www.geaugaesc.org.
-Midwest Native Skills Institute: Wilderness Survival , homesteading/pioneering classes, programs for Scouts- 888-886-5592.
-Middlefield Library: Teen Makerspace Wednesdays-Creating and inventing activities, family programs, community activities: 440-632-1961
-Upward Sports-Clinics, camps and youth sports leagues. 440-221-2588
-Boy Scouts Pack 4076-Camping , hiking , biking, and year-round outdoor activities. [email protected]
-Middlefield Recreation Department –Youth Sports 440-632-5248
-Big Brothers/Big Sisters-After school mentoring program-440-352-2526
-Geauga Park District-Nature classes and activities, festivals, holiday crafts and events, volunteer opportunities. Over 30 events in January alone. 440-286-9516.
-Cardinal Schools Food Services-Nutritional Information
Thank you to our committee members and volunteers from Ravenwood Mental Health Center, Geauga Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Lake Geauga Recovery Center, Cardinal parents and many local churches.