COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

The youth services department at the public library and Los Alamos JJAB are coordinating a community playdate at Ashley Pond. Following the regularly scheduled library Music and Movement program (9:30-10 am), several groups representing services and programs for children ages 0-6 will host outdoor fun and games from 10 am- 12 pm. Information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and classes and services from First Born Los Alamos and Family Strength Network will be available from the programming staff. The nearby Youth Activity Center will open its doors for parents and caregivers to see the facility and learn about what is available for children in third through eighth grade after school.  Snacks will be provided by Los Alamos JJAB.

The Los Alamos Fire Department will set up a mini CTT (Criterion Task Test aka ground firefighting course) for children to test their skills. The firefighters will have helmets and gift bags to giveaway.

Community playdates were held occasionally from 2017 through 2019. JJAB director Devon Hoffman and library youth services supervisor Melissa Mackey are excited to restart these events for the community. Previous playdates were staffed by as many as 10 groups and attended by several hundred families with children under six.

This event is an outgrowth of the Community Educators Network, an informal working group which meets monthly to share ideas, support, and inspiration. Local and regional groups providing educational classes, events, or programs are welcome to attend the meetings which are on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 am in The Zone (lower level) at Mesa Public Library. Interested educators may email mj.mackey@lacnm to be added to the distribution list.