June 29, 2023 Resources for July Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for July observances: Month-Long Observances National Parks and Recreation Month City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks & Recreation, CitiParks Summer Program Guide, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Top Green Spaces and Public Parks in Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh Growing Equity in City Green Space, Eos Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Why Kids Need to Spend Time in Nature, Child Mind Institute Free Worksheet: Thank a Park Ranger Card, Education.com Become a Junior Ranger, National Park Service Five Fun Activities for Teaching Kids About Conservation, National Recreation and Park Association Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together National Make a Difference to Children Month 5 Pittsburgh Organizations supporting Our Most Vulnerable Children–and Inspiring Us to Help, Kidsburgh Most Popular Pittsburgh Children & Youth Nonprofits and Charities, Great Nonprofits Positive Parenting, National Institute of Health The Power of Positive Parenting, UC Davis Health 8 Ways to Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin Bonding with Stepchildren: 7 Tips for Building a Strong Relationship, Care.com Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families, Harvard University Center on the Developing Child Strategies to Support Black Students, Teachers, and Communities in Schools, Education Northwest 12 Powerful Statistics That Prove Why Teachers Matter, We Are Teachers Family Engagement, Office of Head Start and Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center Raise Child Care, Start Strong PA National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Prioritizing Minority Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BIPOC Mental Health, Mental Health America Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations, American Psychiatric Association Contextualizing BIPOC Youth Mental Health, National Black Women’s Justice Institute Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate, so Why Do BIPOC Communities Have Difficulty Accessing Care?, Jefferson Center for Mental Health Erasing Mental Health Stigma in the Black Community, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) BIPOC/AAPI Mental Health Resources, NAMI New Hampshire Where to Find Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh: Youth and Family Research Program Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Days of Recognition July 4 is Independence Day Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in Pittsburgh in 2023, VisitPittsburgh 23 Crafts and Activities for Independence Day, WeAreTeachers The History of Independence Day, History Channel A Nation’s Story: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) The Fourth of July is a Black American Holiday, The Washington Post 19 Children’s Books to Inspire Courage and Activism, HarperCollins Publishers July 14 is International Non-Binary People’s Day Gender Identity Development in Early Childhood, Trying Together Resource List: LGBTQ+ Organizations, Trying Together A Guide to Gender Identity Terms, NPR & WESA Understanding Nonbinary People: How to Be Respectful and Supportive, National Center for Transgender Equality 10 Ways to Step Up as an Ally to Non-Binary People, Stonewall 20 Picture Books to Help You Raise Kind, Tolerant Kids, Today Early Childhood Book List: Learning About Gender Diversity, Social Justice Books July 24 is National Parents’ Day 7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Parents’ Day This Year, Parents Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Positive Parenting Tips, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series, Trying Together Outside Gender Norms: Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Aren’t Easy First for LGBTQ Families, The Standard-Times Parenting Resources for Foster Parents, Child Welfare Information Gateway Being a Step-Parent and Raising Your Partner’s Child, Raising Children Resources to Share with Expectant Families, Office of Head Start Find Child Care, ELRC Region 5 July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day Drowning Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drowning Prevention & Facts, American Red Cross Water Safety at Home, Safe Kids Worldwide Water Safety Tips for Families, Seattle Children’s Hospital Toddler Water Safety: 14 Ways to Keep Safer, Stop Drowning Now Water Safety for Your Special Needs Child, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Resources: Learn to Swim, Allegheny County 4 Places To Get FREE Summer Swim Lessons For Kids In The ‘Burgh, Macaroni Kid How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Partnering to Offer First Aid & CPR Training, ELRC Region 5 July 26 is National Disability Independence Day Guide to Disability Rights Laws, U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division Ideas for Celebrating the ADA, ADAAnniversary.org Disability and Autism Supports, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Disability Resources in the Community, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) 16 Shelf-Worthy Children’s Books About Disabilities for All Students, WeAreTeachers Representation Matters: Kids Books That Embrace Disability and Difference, New York Public Library Service Dogs 101—Everything You Need to Know, American Kennel Club Assistive Devices for Children: Walking and Mobility, KidsHealth
June 13, 2023 CitiParks Publishes Summer Guide The Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation (CitiParks) recently released its 2023 Summer Guide, which aims to highlight the department’s many programs and activities, and safely engage residents and visitors in city spaces. The guide provides information on a wide range of free, family-friendly activities, from walking and biking to concerts and movies. About the 2023 Summer Guide The CitiParks 2023 Summer Guide details: Farmers Markets Roving Art Cart Alphabet Trail and Tales Track and Treat Tennis Clinics CitiSports Aquatics and Swimming Pools Food Programs Recreation Centers Healthy Active Living Senior Centers Parks and Trails Footraces Independence Day at Point State Park Car Cruise-In Line Dancing 2023 Summer Concerts 2023 Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park Community Festivals Block Parties Park Shelters & Facilities Holiday Tree Lighting & Gingerbread House Display Access the 2023 Summer Guide The 2023 Summer Guide is available online. It will also be available at CitiParks Recreation and Healthy Active Living (Senior) Centers, Farmers Markets, Concerts, and various locations throughout the city. Related Information & Resources CitiParks Announces Summer Activity Schedules for Concerts, Movies, and More Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children Resources for June Observances 2023 Food Resources Learn More To learn more, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.
May 3, 2023 Ultimate Play Day Returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday, May 7 Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, alongside event partners Trying Together, Citiparks, and ZeroFossil, will host its annual Ultimate Play Day from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7. Ultimate Play Day is an opportunity for people throughout the Pittsburgh region to gather together, play together, and raise awareness of the benefits of play for everyone. This year, Ultimate Play Day will be held at Lower McKinley Park in the Beltzhoover/Knoxville area of Pittsburgh. Local partners and community organizations offer play activities for all ages each year. This year, more than 28 vendors are participating with hands-on playful activities, entertainment, and refreshments. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of “playful” activities from vendors, including ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, imagination/dramatic play with costumes, bean bag toss, oversized classic games like Connect 4 and Jenga, and plenty of arts and crafts projects. Share the Ultimate Play Day flyer with your friends, family, and neighbors! Ultimate Play Day is a part of Remake Learning Days. Remake Learning Days returns to Southwestern PA May 4 – May 23, 2023. A special thank you to Remake Learning for providing a mini-grant to The Collaborative for Ultimate Play Day. SLB Radio Ultimate Play Day Interview Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative was a special guest on the Neighborhood Voices show, hosted by The Saturday Light Brigade, to talk about Ultimate Play Day! Assistant Director of Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Adam James and Nicole Stevens from Beltzhoover Consensus Group joined SLB Radio to talk about this special day of play, why play is important for everyone, and how this event will connect neighbors throughout the City of Pittsburgh. Visit the Ultimate Play Day webpage to listen to this interview. Getting to Ultimate Play Day Ultimate Play Day is the same day as the Pittsburgh Marathon. That means there will be adjusted traffic patterns to be aware of, but that won’t stop the fun! You can find additional directions to get to Lower McKinley Park on the Ultimate Play Day webpage. Check out this map provided by the Pittsburgh Marathon to check the rolling road closures and openings on Sunday, May 7. Lower McKinley Park Learn more about Lower McKinley Park and its history before Ultimate Play Day. Check out this informational flyer on McKinley Park from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Remake Learning Days Remake Learning Days hosts 1200+ learning events reaching 150,000 families. The festival features events across the southwestern PA region for youth, families, grandparents, caregivers and educators to explore creative and fun ways of learning. For more information, visit remakelearningdays.org/southwesternpa. Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is a group of organizations dedicated to advancing the importance of play in the lives of children, families, and communities in the Pittsburgh region by raising awareness on play being a critical life element for people of all ages, educating decision-makers (from parents to legislators) to support access to play for all, and modeling play through various recreational and professional activities. For more information, visit playfulpittsburgh.org.
February 20, 2020 Nurturing Connection to Nature for Health and Wellness Join APOST and Pittsburgh Parks Rx at the Frick Environmental Center on February 28 to learn how spending time in nature can support physical and mental wellness. About Attend this workshop to explore how to plan engaging experiences that nurture a connection to nature by incorporating active play and mindful reflection. Participants will try out activities, share ideas, and receive tools and resources to help you connect youth with nature in parks or any outdoor space! A light lunch will be provided and free parking will be available on site. Registration To register, visit the Eventbrite page. More Information For more information, contact APOST at 412.456.6876.
August 14, 2019 Nature in Your Neighborhood Join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy on August 23 for “Nature in Your Neighborhood” to experience nature in Homewood and in nearby areas. For this event, community members are invited to explore Frick Park while enjoying nature hikes and activities. Bring your group, your camera, and your curiosity! Lunch will be provided. Registration is required and limited to 4o participants. Registration To register, contact Sarah Byrne-Houser via email at sarah@tryingtogether.org. Registrations must include: the number of adults attending, the number of children attending, the name of the program (if applicable), a phone number, and any dietary restrictions. More Information For more information, contact the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412.682.7275.
July 2, 2019 Buzzword: Talk & Play Series 4 Join Buzzword Pittsburgh every Wednesday from July 10 to August 7 for Talk & Play Series 4! All events are free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. A light dinner will be provided. Program Schedule The schedule of events is as follows: Wednesday, July 10 • Word of the Day: SECRET with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Festival Opera Wednesday, July 17 • Word of the Day: INFESTED with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Wednesday, July 24 • Word of the Day: PROTECT with Carnegie Science Center and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Wednesday, July 31 • Word of the Day: ERUPT with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Wednesday, August 7 • Word of the Day: SOAR with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre More Information For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org. Click here to view the Facebook event page.
April 5, 2019 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Earth Day Friday, April 26 6 – 9 p.m. | Community Campfire* Join Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for an all-ages community campfire under the stars. They’ll have the fire and sticks, you bring your own hot dogs and s’more fixings. Note: This event takes place at Falls Ravine Shelter (click here for directions to nearby trail entrance). Saturday, April 27th 8 – 11 a.m. | Volunteer Event Make a positive mark on your park as a volunteer! This event is held in partnership with Comcast. This event is now full. Registrations are no longer being accepted. 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Naturalist-led Walks and Hikes Join Parks Conservancy naturalists and partners from across the city for a variety of hikes and walks throughout Frick Park. Hikes and walks are each about one hour long and start at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Ongoing | Activities, Exhibits, and Events Throughout Earth Day 2019, participants can also find and experience local exhibitors, organizations, and artists. Activities include: Nature play Supervised tree climbing Giant games Pop-up Imagination Playground Bubbles. This event is held in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. Transportation If you’re looking to attend these Earth Day celebrations, Trying Together is providing free bus transportation! Registration is required. Friday, April 26 | Bus departs from 7219 Kelly Street at 6 p.m.; returns at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 | Bus departs from Homewood Avenue and Kelly Street at 1:30 p.m.; returns at 4:15 p.m. Registration To register for the bus, please contact Jan Jones by calling 412.421.3889, ext. 108 or by visiting the Homewood Early Learning Hub. Learn More To learn more, visit the event website! Share this flyer with your network.