Build a new playground!

Apply for a KaBOOM! playground today and your community will have a new place to play in 2011!

KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in North America. KaBOOM! brings together parents, community leaders and corporate partners to facilitate the planning and design of new community play spaces. Our goal is to not only build a new play space but use the project to strengthen existing support networks and build new community relationships.
We are currently accepting applications from nonprofit, child serving organizations and schools that would benefit from and embrace the process of a community built playspace partnership.
An organization must meet the following criteria to qualify:
· Have 501(c)3 status (government entities may partner up with a nonprofit to meet these requirements)

· Serve a low-income/high-need community
· Have no playground or need to replace an existing playground
· Fundraise $8,500 USD towards the cost of equipment. We offer online webinars (www.kaboom.org/webinars) to assist with fundraising ideas.
· Provide at least 2500 sq. feet in available land and complete any needed site preparation, i.e. removing old equipment, asphalt, grading the land.
· Provide additional in kind responsibilities such as breakfast and lunch for Build Day, tools, restroom facilities, and a dumpster.
· Recruit about 100 volunteers for Build Day and recruit parents who are excited about serving on planning committees for an 8-10 week period leading up to Build Day.
· Accept ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the play space upon completion.
In return, your organization will:
· Receive a new custom designed playground!
· Establish an ongoing relationship with a Funding Partner throughout the planning process and for years after who is interested in having an impact on your community.
· Bring community members together as they work toward this common goal.
· Participate in a planning process that will teach you about fundraising, community building, media relations, etc. that can be used during future community projects.
The approximate 8-10 week planning process kicks off with a Design Day where children literally design their dream playgrounds, and culminates on Build Day where volunteers build the new playground. We encourage you to forward this information to any others who may benefit. Please contact Nada El-Eryan at 202-464-6069 or nel-eryan@kaboom.org with any questions.
Please submit your application by June 22, 2011. If you need more time, I would be happy to work with you to establish a new deadline.

*Council members-I think this would be a great opportunity to collaborate with other agencies in your community! Please e-mail me if interested in assembling a team.

Film internships!

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All Delegate Meeting

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CCM

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Forts open through Sept. 5 Did you know that Forts, the exhibit that lets you create a cool and cozy space that’s all your own, is back at CCM through Sept. 5? Furniture pieces and household supplies quickly take on new shapes and purposes in these forts! Book a self-guided visit to let students explore the exhibit and create a world of their own. You can also help students build literacy skills while building forts! Book a Forts CCM To Go workshop, and a CCM educator will bring a fun, hands-on literacy experience to your site. CCM To Go workshops bring learning to life through a one-hour interactive workshop without the hassle of booking a bus. Learn more about this workshop and more by clicking on the link above. Michael’s Museum is Now Open Explore nearly 100 fascinating collections of tiny objects donated by founder and curator, Michael Horvich in Chicago Children’s Museum’s newest exhibit, Michael’s Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures! Stay tuned to our calendar for special opportunities to meet Michael, when “The Curator is In”. You can also share photos of young collectors on our Facebook page, and they may be featured on our digital photo frame inside the exhibit! What Else is Happening at CCM? Take a look at our calendar for daily drop-in activities, explore our creative programs for all ages in the Kraft Artabounds Studio, and learn about workshops for parents and educators!

Poetry Slam

Calling all poets!

Open Mic Saterday June 18th 2:00 pm

at the North Austin Branch Library

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Free cooking workshops!

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FREE Petite Chefs Workshops Chicago Children’s Museum is looking for qualified 501(c)3 organizations serving low-income families to participate in free healthy cooking workshops! Each Friday during the months of July and August, CCM will facilitate the “Petite Chefs” program in partnership with Washburne Culinary Institute for children ages 4-10 and their parents. Participants will learn to cook a healthy snack with the guidance of real chefs and will receive the recipe to recreate the snack at home. Organizations must register by contacting us by June 30. Organizations may register for up to 2 workshops only. Groups must have a group of 25 participants (adults and children) in order to qualify. For more information or to register your group, please contact us as soon as possible or call (312) 464-7715. Only nine workshops are available, so register your group today! Community Partner Highlight: Kids in Training of Chicago If you joined CCM last month for Health and Wellness Night on May 26, you or your families may have been an active part of Kids in Training’s physical fitness demonstration (pictured above). For the last two years, Kids in Training of Chicago has partnered with Chicago Children’s Museum to support children and families’ ability to lead healthy, active lifestyles.Kids in Training strives to instruct under-privileged youth in physical fitness and health awareness, and reduce childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma, and youth violence. To learn more about Kids in Training of Chicago, or find out more about their upcoming summer sports fitness camp (June 20 – August 5) for kids ages 5-14, please contact Lashonya Morgan at kidsintrainingofchicago@yahoo.com. You can also meet Lashonya, the founder of Kids in Training, and her summer camp students and engage in other types of active play, at our next Health and Wellness night, from 5-8pm on June 30! Contact us at (312) 464-7715 to learn more or to book a visit. Upcoming Kraft Free Family Night Programs – Mark your Calendars! Bring the entire family to CCM for a night of FREE family fun! Join us for Kraft Free Family Night, 5-8pm every Thursday, when museum admission is free for all visitors. Groups of 15 or more must book ahead. Free transportation may be available for qualified non-profit organizations serving low-income families. Only qualified groups of 30 or more will be considered for free transportation. Email us today to register your group! Juneteenth June 16, 5-8pm Learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, the national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Find out more about this event. Health and Wellness Night June 30, 5-8pm Join us as Kids in Training of Chicago engages children and adults in fun physical fitness routines (see above for more information). Then, visit our community partner resource tables to learn how to stay safe and have fun outdoors this summer. CCM’s Annual Health Fair July 28, 5-8pm Only 2 more buses available! Join us for a night of active play and- learn helpful tips to kick off a healthy new school year! Families can learn to create a nutritious meal, practice yoga poses with Blissfolds, receive free dental, vision and lead screenings, and more. Call (312) 464.7715 to register your group of 15 or more today!