Local groups build comprehensive summer calendar

WASHINGTON — A litany of Washington area event-planning organizations have put together a comprehensive guide to this summer’s youth activities.

More than just a calendar, the collaboration involved Washington County 4-H, the YMCA, Washington Chamber of Commerce, Kirkwood Regional Center and various schools and churches. The outcome: a flyer displaying not only this summer’s major family events, but directing users to sign-up deadlines, registration instructions, and help arranging needed transportation and scholarships. The handout also details the dates, age ranges for each event, phone numbers to contact organizers, and prices to participate in each event at a glance.

Washington County 4-H Youth Coordinator Amy Green said planners made the resource as in-depth as possible.

“A calendar by itself tells you when the event happens, but it doesn’t necessarily include all the information of the location, the age group, the time, the price,” she said. “This is a place to put that out there early … for (families) to plan a safe and fun summer.”

Also a catalyst for the project was a shortage of child care in the area.

Green said she hoped the events would offer parents summertime planning to help handle kids while school’s out.

"There’s, in my personal opinion, fewer and fewer child care options in our community, which makes summer a challenge, for people with kids that need supervision and need activities,“ she said. ”So this, in part, is to help get information out to parents who are in need … There’s a need for places for kids.“

The events are as varied as the people assembling the list. They include the opening of an outdoor pool in Kalona in late May, a free trial dance class series in Washington this June and July, an August event at Lake Darling among dozens of others.

Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said she hoped the thorough guide would help people plan ahead.

She said she was approached personally by some community members over the course of the project looking for word on summer activities, proving the demand for the new resource.

“When you’ve got camps and stuff like that, that has registration deadlines that are earlier, just being in our calendar of events is not as relevant because by the time someone’s looking for what’s happening, they may have missed the deadline,” she said. “That’s why we spent a little more time pulling this out … it takes a little more deciphering to get that into the community’s hands.”

Organizers said they tentatively hoped to continue drafting the resource in future years. Redlinger said it would likely get easier to do so with time.

“I think as we communicate with the different organizations, maybe they will try to have their basic information identified and solidified a little bit sooner,” she said. “That way, we’re able to help families plan and get everybody on a similar timeline.”

Those interested can download a copy of the Summer Youth Program poster from the Chamber website.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com