Shandra Jones,  whose daughter participated in the 2018 CitySprouts summer program, reflects back on the garden party that capped off the summer: "For us, it was just really exciting and fun to be in the garden... mingling with other parents, seeing all the kids working together as teams and showing us what they knew." In this story, we learn about what makes the CitySprouts garden party a welcoming  and engaging event for families.

Guiding Questions

• What about the garden party makes it an attractive event for families?
• Why makes a physical space feel inclusive and welcoming ?
• What is your organization’s strategy to ensure families are able to see and understand what their child is learning in their OST program? ​

Our Takeaway

• Parents appreciate the opportunity to participate in their children's learning, so student led events that celebrate student achievements and include hands-on learning are likely to be a hit. Also, the feel of a space can make a difference. As simple as it sounds, we should aim to create spaces that are pleasant for families to spend time in.