Hi Everyone!
I was hoping I’d be feeling better this afternoon to set up the StoryWalk at food cart night, but I’m still too dizzy to drive. The event is still on and I hope you can enjoy the prairie views and food from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8th (Registration recommended for Town of Dunn Food Cart Night with Groundswell Conservancy). Thank you for understanding!
Depending on how I am feeling, I will either set up the StoryWalk next week from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13th (No registration needed for Belleville Farmers Market with live music and scavenger hunt), or my friend has offered to do so for me. Thank you, Taneil!
As a reminder, my new children’s picture book, “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galapagos Albatross,” will be one of the featured books during Musical Playtime: Local Authors Edition with Angie from The Wonder Studio on my birthday and the first anniversary of Playful Acorns: 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 28th! See more details and register below!
Although I wasn’t able to attend yesterday’s 2nd Annual Madison Area Green & Healthy Schools Summit at Lake View Elementary School in Madison in the capacity I had hoped, I have seen so many testimonials and photos by attendees capturing the wonderful day of nature connection. A sincere thank you to all of the volunteer planning members, presenters, exhibitors, attendees, and media for covering the event like this Madison365 article and Channel3000 video.
I look forward to attending the 8th Annual Green & Healthy Schools Conference at UW-Milwaukee on Aug. 21st to learn, connect, and represent Playful Acorns and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators - Wisconsin. Consider signing up to hear the latest on how time spent connecting with nature can help kids (and adults) grow!
Are you new to Playful Acorns? Welcome! You can read our story here and most recent posts here.
Now Open: Nature Play Registration
Our friends at Naturing in Madison and Aldo Leopold Nature Center are opening registration for their fall programs like Fall Together in the Park, Wonder Bugs, and Baby Bugs! Z and I tried some of these programs and really enjoy them! I think you might too!
Musical Playtime in Verona
August 28 (10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday): Celebrate the first anniversary of Playful Acorns and my birthday! Join Angie with The Wonder Studio in Verona and three local authors, Samantha Cora (that’s my pen name), Elizabeth Seeliger, and Elizabeth Mary for a morning of stories, instrument exploration, dancing, and socializing! Geared to ages 0-7 and their caregivers ($20 per family, all profits go to charity, register).
Learn more and register for 8/28 Musical Playtime!
Upcoming Community Events
Playful Acorns programs are bolded. There are several other local organizations holding awesome family-friendly events that might be of interest to you, too! Many of these events focus on nature exploration, true play, and process art. Remember to check out more events listed at Macaroni KID, NatureNet (where Parks Alive events are also listed), Friends of Urban Nature, Madison Parks, MSCR On the Move, Olbrich Gardens Story and Stroll, local libraries, gyms, and more. Please confirm registration details, costs, and age ranges at the links below. Stay tuned for more events to be added in the next email!
* Events with one asterisk are evening events
** Events with two asterisks are for adults only
- Thursday, Aug. 8th: Town of Dunn Food Cart Night, Oak Grove Farm, 4544 Dons Rd
- Tuesday, Aug. 13th: Lil’ Explorer Storytime: Discovery, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- Tuesday, Aug. 13th: Belleville Farmers Market, Park and Church Streets, Belleville
- Wednesday, Aug. 14th: Naturalist-In-Residence Big Read Storytime, Rennebohm Park
- Thursday, Aug. 15th: Pop-Up Summer Together in the Park, Tenney Park, Madison
- Friday, Aug. 16th: Madison Area Nature Playgroup, Pope Farm Conservancy, Verona
- Friday, Aug. 16th: Our Backyard Playgroup (9-11), Resurrection Lutheran Church, Madison
- *Friday, Aug. 16th: Dancing with the Arts, Century School Park, Verona
- Saturday, Aug. 17th: Ice Age Trail Tyke Hike, Twin Pines Trailhead, Lodi
- Saturday, Aug. 17th: Dig Into Reading Jamboree, Bruce Company, Middleton
- Sunday, Aug. 18th: Family Nature Program: Wonderful Water, UW Arboretum
- Tuesday, Aug. 20th: Open Play at 4-C, 5 Odana Ct, Madison
- Tuesday, Aug. 20th: Lil’ Explorer Bilingual Storytime, Lussier Family Heritage Center
- **Wednesday, Aug. 21st: Green & Healthy Schools Conference, UW-Milwaukee
- Sunday, Aug. 25th: Family Adventure Club with Hike & Heal Wellness, TBD
- Monday, Aug. 26th: Curious Critters Storytime, Governor Taylor Nature Park, Cottage Grove
- Wednesday, Aug. 28th: Musical Playtime with Authors, The Wonder Studio, Verona
