We offer a wide variety of activities every month for you and your entire family. Here you will find a brief description of some of them. We are always open to new ideas! Our Programming Director fills in the calendar at the Planning Meeting where all members are welcome to come and vote and add ideas. Besides our regular activities, we have several sub-groups that appeal to people with a particular hobby or interest. Every sub-group that we have is here because it was someone's idea to have it! If you have a great idea for a sub-group, please suggest it to our Programming Director.
For details of exact event dates, times, and places, our chapter calendar is available in the Member's Only Section.
Book Club
Our book club meets once a month to discuss a book - that sounds pretty straight forward, right? What else do you need to know? Well, no one needs to "join" the book club - you're welcome to pop in to whatever meetings catch your eye. We're not real sticklers on actually finishing or even reading the book - sometimes you just need to get out and see people and we don't mind at all if you choose book club to do it! Our hostess chooses that month's book, so if you'd like to host, please let our Book Club Coordinator know. Also, we have a separate email list to talk about all things book club - ask the List Manager if you'd like to subscribe to it. Click here to see the list of books we've read in the past. For more information about our selection process, see our book club guidelines.
Chapter E-mail Lists
Our chapter's most popular benefit is our online e-mail Talk & Announce discussion lists on Yahoo. The Talk list allows our members to discuss a wide range of issues and update members on community events while our Announce list is strictly for announce chapter business and events. Some topics recently discussed on our Talk list include area resources for infants and toddlers, potty training, sibling issues, date night recommendations, etc. Make sure to contact the list manager as soon as you join, so that you can take advantage of this valuable resource.
Couple's Date Night
Yes, dig out the babysitter list and get ready for some fun! Let your husband get to know some other dads and the two of you can have a blast. Our annual holiday party is fun for couples, and we've had some Games Nights that people are still laughing and talking about!
Craft and Hobby Night
We know that finding time to devote to your hobbies is often one of the last things you get to think about, but you need an outlet for all those talents! Join us for Scrapbook Club (time and space just to work on your memory books), UFO (take care of some UnFinished Objects), and sometimes a talented member teaches everyone a new craft!
Early Stages
The counterpart to the Seasoned Moms group, this group focuses on the challenges of raising very young children. Past topics have included Feeding Issues, Sleeping issues and Discipline
Fundraisers
Once you have children involved in any kind of activity, it seems you are inundated with fundraisers, so we try to keep ours to a minimum. We have an annual yard sale in the spring which allows us to fund activities and administrative costs throughout the year. (Save your de-cluttering efforts to donate!) We regularly sell Entertainment Books in the fall. In addition, this fall we held our first Silent Auction.
Helping Hands
Chapter members volunteer to help other members in time of illness, a new baby, or other difficult times with a meal, errand running, play date or visit. If you can volunteer to help, your services would be most welcome and you’ll feel great for helping someone. If you need help for any reason, please let our helping hands committee know – that’s why we’re all here!Hoot 'n' Howl
It's an acronym that stands for Husbands Out Of Town and Husbands Out Working Late. Basically, the moms and kids meet around dinner time at a park or indoor play space and get pizza. Everyone brings an additional snack or drink to share. The moms get out of cooking for a night, the kids get a chance to run around and burn off energy in that late afternoon crazy time. And dads get to work late without guilt too - everyone wins!
Kid's/Family Activities
Every quarter we schedule activities for your children. Watch the calendar - often Dads and other family members are invited too! Past events have included apple picking, nature hikes, museum visits, t-shirt painting and other crafts, and holiday parties. Activities are geared for all aged children unless specified.
Kid's Eat Out
This group started because there were enough moms who just couldn't get free from the children for the Mom's Eat Out, so they decided to bring the kids along. It's a bit louder, but it's still fun to see how many high chairs can be jammed around one table. The kids behave reasonably well and the moms get some much needed social time.
Mom's Eat Out
At various times we try to provide opportunities for moms to go out to eat (we alternate breakfasts and lunches typically) without children in tow. This tends to be moms with kids in school, but anyone is welcome to attend - try trading babysitting with a playgroup member! Non-mobile infants are welcome. It's so nice to be able to eat a meal without chicken fingers being involved.
Mom's Night Out
Hands down, the most popular of all our activities. At least once a month, we find an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy each other's company. We try to keep costs to a minimum (MNO's are rarely more than $10) and alternate between going out versus being at a member's home. In the past we've had: Chocolate Night, Mini Golf, Fondue night, and Spa Day. New ideas always welcomed and encouraged!
Mom's Weekend Away
Occasionally we offer a chance to get away for an overnight or a weekend of skiing, shopping or just hanging out. It is so important that you take time for yourself – you can recharge your batteries and face your husband and children with renewed energy and patience. We try to find someone that has a summer home or a ski condo or just a home that's unoccupied while its occupants are traveling. Prior trips have been to North Conway, NH and to Essex, MA. If you have a place were we could stay, please speak up!
Movie Club
We meet once a month to see a movie, often going out for dessert afterward to talk about it. Usually we go out, but a rental at someone’s home is always a possibility too. The monthly selection is chosen by poll. If you’re interested, please subscribe to our Movie e-mail list so that you get a voice in what movie gets seen.
Playgroups
Playgroups are organized three times a year: September, January and June and generally meet once a week. This is a great way to make friends with fellow members and their children. Each group determines the house rotation and guidelines. You must be a chapter member to join a playgroup. If you're interested in joining a playgroup, please contact our playgroup coordinator.
Seasoned Moms
We know that once your children are out of diapers, the parenting challenges don't get any easier. This group is for moms of older children to explore the topics that they need help with. You don't need to have older children - you're welcome at any meeting where the topic is of interest to you. Topics of the recent past include: Screen time, chores and allowances, and the best ways to communicate with your child's teachers.
Last modified: 10/09/10