At first, it seemed as though the main beneficiaries of these activities would be the folk festival participants who wanted something for their kids to do while they attended the dance or music workshops. However, since then, many residents, vacationers and passers by have brought their children to Sister Bay Park to participate in these wholesome fun events.
The outdoor children's activities have attracted the attention of people not connected to the festival itself. Many passers by have stopped and watched the children having fun and have asked whether their children could join in.
The answer, of course, is
yes.
Click here for Dick Miller's review of the 2002 Children's Activities.
STAFF (back
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Dick and Miriam
Miller are school teachers and coaches
who have been involved with youth and children for many years.
Miriam is a special Education Lead Teacher in an alternative school for
Emotionally Disturbed adolescents located in Baraboo, WI. She
also conducts a nature class in the summer for the Middleton recreation
department. Dick is a Positive Behavior Support specialist for
the Madison School District. Together they enjoy hanging out with
the "kids" of all ages who attend the festival and can be found
painting rocks, singing and playing games.
Although Dick and Miriam have been the main coordinators since 1984, many other DCFF participants have been supportive and have gotten involved in these activities. Supporters have included: Cindy Gardner (a swing dance instructor from the Twin Cities), Tom Clark (a storyteller from Kenosha), Mercedes Dzindzeleta (a massage therapist from Racine), Pat Deer (a massage therapist from the Chicago area), Pat Gladchild (a dance therapist from the Twin Cities). Many others have given of their time to teach selected folk dances to kids.
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ACTIVITIES
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Through the years, the
Festival has offered wide variety of activities, including story
telling, face painting, puppet shows, crafts, singing and dancing, and
a
variety of group games, such as volleyball, tag, "spud", tree tag,
and various relay races, "nature bingo", 500, touch football and
of course, animal Olympics. Over the years, the coordinators
have learned that the kid's most favorite activities are rock painting,
sand candle making, parachute games, volleyball and some basic folk
songs and dances.
The DCFF Children's Activities are conducted on Friday & Saturday at 10:00am & 1:15pm. The beautiful setting of Sister Bay Park is certainly a draw for "children" of all ages to participate. On days when the weather is bad, indoor activities such as crafts, music and puppet shows are conducted in the basement of Sister Bay Village Hall.
The activities are geared to participants between the ages of 5 and 15, although there have been exceptions at both ends of the scale. Please also note that the activities may be modified or truncated due to adverse weather conditions. Please further note that there is no charge for these activities. If you are considering having your kids participate, we would appreciate if you would notify Dick or Miriam Miller - Telephone: (608)-836-5114 or by email: miriam@dcff.net.
SITTERS (back
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The Children's Activities are provided
by the DCFF, as a public service, free of charge. Your children
will enjoy interacting with new acquaintances and our good-natured, dynamic
activity leaders.
Please take note that the Children's activities in Sister Bay Park are not a baby sitting service. Your children can be involved in these activities with your permission and consent and their willingness and ability to participate and interact with others.
If you are in need of a sitter, with advance notice, we will try to match you with a sitter. There is limited availability so act sooner than later - Telephone: (773)-463-2288 or by email: info@dcff.net.
Click for An Enlarged Photo
DOOR COUNTY (back
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The Door Peninsula,
mid-America's favorite vacation area, is located in north east
Wisconsin between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Door County, often
alluded to as "the Cape Cod" of the Midwest, has something for
everyone: sandy beaches, rocky shores, scenic trails & vistas,
state parks,
art galleries, music & theater, water sports, golf, unique shopping
opportunities and a large selection of restaurants, including one with
"goats on the roof".
Click here for links to other Door County resources and activities.
Click here for Dick Miller's review of the 2002 Children's Activities.