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• Military Kids Fest | June 8, 2024

Military Kids Fest

Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 10am - 12pm
Brushwood Center
​Free, Open to the Public with special invitation to Veterans, Military Personnel, and their families. 

Celebrate the transition from Spring to Summer with Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative and enjoy activities, games, and nature with other members of the Military Community! In collaboration with Kids Rank, Veteran Art Tribe, Growing Healthy Veterans, OutGrown, American Legion Gurnee Post, and other local Veteran and Military Family organizations, Brushwood’s first Military Kids Fest offers an open house for art, nature exploration, and creative fun! 

Register Here

learn more about at ease

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Partners & Activities:
Veteran Art Tribe 
A tribe of artists who are also U.S. military veterans dedicated to supporting opportunities for veterans to create and interact with various art and expressive modalities. Whether our veterans are using creativity as a therapeutic focus or as a full-time occupation, Veteran Art Tribe looks to provide awareness, access, agency, and exposure within the art community.

• Acrylic Painting Pop Up: Nature-themed Acrylic painting for children and adults of all ages with Ramona Pozek (Artist, Director, Advocate, Filmmaker, and Writer). 
• Family Sing Along: Sing along with voice and ukuleles for all ages including traditional songs of "this little light of mine" "you are my sunshine" and other family friendly songs with Lisa Mannion (Musician, Music Teacher, and Army Veteran). ​

VETERAN ART TRIBE

Growing Healthy Veterans
Engage Veterans and Active Duty Military in sustainable agricultural practices to enhance their physical and mental health and overall wellness while exposing them to multiple opportunities to connect with their communities.

• Garden Workday Table: Learn more about upcoming garden workdays and community plots in Lake County. 
• Healthy Food for Littles: Activity teaching children about healthy food options with Growing Healthy Veterans' Ellen Ewing.​

GROWING HEALTHY VETERANS

OutGrown
OutGrown is a national 501c3 nonprofit that empowers families with babies and young children to step outside and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of growing up in nature.

• Youth Footprints Activity: Create in nature with playdough and animal footprint impression stones with Jessica Carrillo Alatorre.
• Activity Table: Including - an assortment of frame & soft structured carriers available for parents to try on and/or borrow, and workbooks and printed activities. 
• Prize Drawing: 2 $100 LL Bean Gift Cards​

outgrown

Kids Rank
We are on a mission to create a sense of stability and belonging for military kids wherever they go, integrating them into their neighborhoods and developing them as future leaders in their communities.

• Kids Rank Table: Come learn more about Kids Rank's work in the community at our resource table with Jessica Owens and Staff. ​

KIDS RANK

American Legion Gurnee Post

• Resource Table: Lean about American Legion programs, and stop by for pollinator coloring sheets for the littles with Joseph Schmitt. ​

AMERICAN LEGION GURNEE POST

Brushwood Center

• Resource Table: Learn about Brushwood Center's programming, while doing a craft!
• Nature Trail Walk led by Jess Rodriguez 
• Children's Yoga​ led by Christine Lopez
  
• Outdoor Games
• Refreshments