Download PDF of this information and samples Month of the Young Child® Community Kite Day Month of the Young Child® Kite Day was a new statewide event for MOYC 1999. It is patterned after an event that has been sponsored and organized by Metro Detroit AEYC for several years. Kite Day can be held any day, a specific day is not designated. The day may include additional activities for children proved by local agencies, organizations and child care programs. Parenting Awareness Month is celebrated in March; this event lends itself to coordination and collaboration with PAM sponsors and events. The following is a suggested outline of Kite Day plans, month by month, from November through May; a suggested list of supplies is also included. November through January Form Kite Day Committee with two Co-Chairs to work with the MOYC Chair. One Co-Chair will coordinate the overall activity, the 2nd CO-C hair will coordinate the actual kite making. Select a day/date and time. Locate and secure a community site (park, school yard, athletic field or other open space where kites can be flown; if you can find a site with a covered area, so much the better). Issues to consider: handicapper accessibility, first aid coverage, parking facilities, location and number of bathrooms available, procedures for trash collection/removal. Contact agencies, organizations and child care programs that may be interested in providing an activity for children or an information booth. The invitation to participate letter is to include the time, date and location of Kite Day, as well as a projected attendance. In general, one activity (in addition to kite making) for every 20-25 children anticipated is a good ratio, this will prevent long lines and keep children actively involved. (see the invitation to participate example) January Confirm date and review the site facilities and usage guidelines with the site contact person. Plan a Kite Day Meeting for February that will include representatives from every agency, organization and child care program involved, as well as AEYC affiliate representation. Send out second letter to include the invitation to the February meeting. (Outline for letter attached). Create plan to work with area merchants to obtain donations: i.e. food & beverage, supplies, printing. February Kite Day Meeting. Discuss and decide upon children's activities; assign jobs as needed. Have participating groups complete a Kite Day Participation Form. Determine if tables and chairs are to be provided by the affiliate or the individual sponsors. All personnel and materials needed for children's activities are the responsibility of the group sponsoring the activity. Set a March meeting date. Submit forms to NAEYC for insurance, if necessary. By telephone confirm all arrangements for activities/booths with individual sponsors and remind them of March meeting date. Contact your community EMS or other first aid supplier to secure coverage at the event. March Kite Day Meeting. Confirm activities and booths. Review and brainstorm all additional ideas or thoughts about the event. Answer questions or, if necessary, assign someone to investigate questions and to develop a system for getting information and answers to sponsors. Begin making directional signs (i.e. bathrooms, parking, first aid) and signs to identify the activities and booths. Don't forget to make a sign identifying your affiliate! Set a date to complete signs. It is recommended that signs be white with purple lettering, and laminated. Sponsoring groups do not need to bring their own signs. Make first public advertisement of the event in local newspapers and on local radio and television stations; these should be considered Public Service Announcements. Create event flyers and posters; distribute flyers. Contact newspaper to arrange for coverage of Kite Day. Confirm first aid event coverage with your community EMS or other first aid supplier. April Kite Day Meeting, two weeks prior to Kite Day, to tie up all the loose ends. Review all arrangements for children's activities and booths. Make a map of the Kite Day site to include: information station, first aid, bathrooms and locations of activities/booths. The EMS/first aid area location must be easily accessible for foot and vehicle traffic. Secure volunteers (a minimum of 1 per sponsoring group) for site set-up, 2 hours prior to event, and for clean-up. Each sponsoring group is responsible for, at a minimum, setting up and cleaning up their own area. Set date for May Kite Day Meeting for follow-up and evaluation. Arrange for photographs to be taken at the event. A minimum of two weeks prior to event, distribute additional flyers and put up posters (business windows, library, schools, centers). Kite Day Workshop. Prior to Kite Day, hold a one hour workshop for all persons who will be assisting children and their parents in the construction of the kites. Instruct an ample number of kite-making facilitators so the event will run smoothly in the case of volunteer absences! (This workshop could be combined with an affiliate meeting.) Reminder call to your community EMS or first aid supplier. KITE DAY: Day, date and time Begin site set up at designated time. There is to be a minimum of one person from each sponsoring group, the entire Kite Day Committee, and a pool of "extras." Have all workers report to their assigned activity area/booth. Check in with EMS/first aid personnel to verify procedures. Take lots of pictures Clean up should be coordinated by Kite Day Committee with all participating groups. HAVE FUN!!!!! May Kite Day Meeting. Hold a follow-up/evaluation meeting. Discuss all aspects of the event, from initial planning through the actual day, things that went well and things that need modification. Send thank you letters to all sponsors and donors. Create a notebook of Kite Day information to be used by the next year's committee. Create a scrapbook of flyers, pictures and media coverage. Complete the Kite Day Evaluation Form, created by MiAEYC, and return to the MiAEYC state office. List of Supplies Promotion: Printing Postage Poster board Laminating Film and photo processing Kite Making Supplies: plastic: preferably white plastic so designs can be easily seen. Best source: 40" by 300" Poly Pebble Banquet Roll: White, Gordan Food Service, approximately $10.00 per roll (May also be found at: grocery store, 1/2 Off Card Shop, Paper Factory). An alternative may be large white plastic garbage bags. dowels: 1/8" by 17", 2 per kite (1/8" dowels can be easily cut with scissors). Seek donations from local hardware stores or lumber companies. kite string strapping tape (NOT masking tape!) paper punches decorating materials (i.e. permanent markers, stickers, acrylic paint) optional 'handle' (i.e. section of a cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tube) - handles make it easier for small fingers and hands to keep hold of the kite string! SEE KITE PATTERN AND DIRECTIONS Other Supplies: film and photo processing trash bags tables/chairs (as needed) drinks/snacks (optional, at a minimum, have water available) Participating groups providing children's activities are responsible for personnel and materials required for activity. On-Site Volunteers: Each participating group is responsible for a minimum of one person to set-up and one person to clean-up their activity area. In addition, participating groups must staff their activity area. Kite making facilitators 10-12 Volunteers for information area 2-4 Parking facilitators 2-4