Larimer County Summer Resources for Grandfamilies

By Jana Carson, GRANDcares Site Coordinator, Larimer County

The GRANDcares Project is working to update and increase the amount of resources that we have to offer grandparents raising grandchildren.  During this process, we at the Larimer County office have discovered a few great resources for grandparents to utilize, especially over the summer when grandchildren are out of school.  Some of the following programs are ongoing while others are specific events.  Some of the programs geared towards grandfamilies while others are open to children from all family situations.  We hope that this list will be helpful for grandfamilies, providing fun for grandchildren and respite for grandparents.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Fundango through Kids at Heart
This program provides low-cost respite care for foster, kinship, and adoptive families.  They host regular three-hour events where children can go play games, make crafts, and have fun.  They also provide a camp once a year.  For more information, go to their website at www.kidsatheartfundango.org

Nature Rides with the Growing Project and Kids at Heart
Three free events for children 7-13 years old.  Children bike along the Poudre River and learn about the natural areas in Fort Collins.  (Particiants can bring their own bike or use one of the bikes provided.)You can register here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080949aba82fa2ff2-nature

Colorado Respite Coalition
This organization provides vouchers for families (including grandfamilies) to use for respite services.  Currently in Larimer County, the voucher is accepted at Respite Inc. which provides respite for grandchildren with disabilities.  Go here to fill out an application: http://coloradorespitecoalition.org/resources/family/respite-vouchers.php

Laramie River Valley Rendezvous
This organization offers a free, week-long camp for at-risk youth ages 13 – 16 years old. During the week, youth participate in hiking, biking, horseback riding, and white water rafting.  Afterwards, the youth participate in a 10-week mentoring program which emphasized community involvement through service, academic achievement, and life skills training. The camp takes place from July 10 – 15, so head to the website ASAP to sign up: www.LRVR.org

Salvation Army Wilderness Camp
This is a free camp for anyone ages 13 to 15.  The camp runs from July 24 – 29 and still has openings.  If you are interested, email Lilia at lilia.fernandes@usw.salvationarmy.org with the name and age of your grandchild and a number to reach you.

Little People's Landing (locations in Loveland and Fort Collins)
They provide fun, themed Parent's Night Out events on different Saturdays during the month from 5:00pm to Midnight. Grandparents must register their grandchildren ahead of time. Contact Jana at jana.carson@colostate.edu for a coupon to try this resource for free.  Go to the website for more information: https://kidslovelpl.com/pno.html

BASE Camp
This organization provides full or part day childcare over the summer and during the school year.  They offer reduced fees and scholarships, and you only pay for the days you use.  Go to http://www.mybasecampkids.org/ for more information.

KidsTown
This center provides drop-in child care for $7 - $10/hour.  Contact Jana (jana.carson@colostate.edu) for a coupon good for one free hour.

GRANDcares teams participate in the CYFAR Professional Development Workshop

Last month, GRANDcares team members from Colorado State University and the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, participated in CYFAR’s Professional Development Workshop. The GRANDcares project would not be possible without the generous support from a grant from CYFAR-SCP (Children Youth and Families At Risk- Sustainable Community Projects.) GRANDcares project is a proud recipient of a CYFAR grant that will allow our programming to reach families through 2019 in both Colorado and Hawai’i states.

The CYFAR-SCP grant is on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  This year, CYFAR commenced twenty-five years of work and community service, with programming that now reaches over 600 communities. CYFAR grants span over 47 states in the United States, with the singular goal of having a lasting impact on the children, youth, families and communities they serve.

CYFAR’s Professional Development Workshop 2017, offered a multi-disciplinary blend of workshops, speakers and presentations; focused on maximizing the success of CYFAR programs at large. GRANDcares team members were involved in a collection of classes with topics that ranged from; building community partnerships to implement evidence-based prevention programs, communication strategies for increasing program participation and best practices for collection, assessment and evaluation of program data.    

We would like to take this moment to extend our heartfelt thank you, to the people who make CYFAR-SCP funding possible for GRANDcares program and the families we serve.

                       Above: GRANDcares Team Members at CYFAR Professional Development Workshop 2017