The question on parents’ and kids’ minds every day of summer break is “What are we going to do today?” Finding fun things to do that are close to home and won’t break the bank can be a challenge, especially in rural communities. Since 2022, Heard County Community Partnership has worked with our local school system and other partners to help answer that question with our Tribe Train activities.
This year, Thursdays in June will mark our fifth year of Tribe Train fun, and are shaping up to be the biggest and best yet! As in previous years, all four events will start off with story time—because kids’ brains need snacks during summer as much as their bellies do! This year, stories and activities will all be built around mini lessons aimed at teaching kids resilience skills.
Regardless of what challenges a child may face, we know that challenges will come, and it is our goal to equip kids with the skills to not only survive their challenges, but thrive despite them.
Activities such as an obstacle course and escape room will help kids practice the resilience skill of the day while having loads of fun. We are able to offer these activities through funding from
Resilient West. Resilient West is a community-driven coalition dedicated to strengthening families and communities through trauma-informed resources, care and support through the means of collaboration and education.
In addition to high-energy activities, we are working with partners to bring even more resources, information and support to our community at each event. Week one will feature the Mobile Wellness Unit from University of West Georgia providing free biometric screenings to the community. Week two will be hosted at Community Action for Improvement’s Head Start campus in Heard County, and will feature a pop-up market, opportunity to register children for Head Start/Early Head Start, and registration for weatherization assistance. Each week, Resource Navigator Mary Jones with The Outpost Family Resource Center will be on-site (with wifi!) to assist families with benefits applications or other resource needs.
After all the fun, we will also help you answer another constant question of summer: “what’s for lunch?” While activities are geared towards children 10 and under, lunch will be provided for all children under age 18 through the school system’s summer food program. Registration is not required to participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the activities.
For more information, please contact Rachel Schory with Heard County Community Partnership at 706-675-5344 or Rachel.schory@heard.k12.ga.us. We can’t wait to see your family this June!