Beautiful Child Photo Shoot and Activity Fair planned for April 3

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Community members are invited to an annual Beautiful Child Photo Shoot and Activity Fair on April 3, 2012, to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Month of the Military Child.

Karen GreyEyes, Family Advocacy Outreach manager with the Family Advocacy Program, said that Liberty Square will be packed with fun and activities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the event.

Pam Schumaker, Family Child Care coordinator with the Child and Youth Program, said 24 different agencies, including a few from downtown Grand Forks, will participate.

"It's like this whole base pulling together to create this fun environment for parents and kids," Schumaker said.

Both GreyEyes and Schumaker said a committee comprised of members of the various agencies worked throughout the year to provide a top-notch event for the community.

In addition to the informational booths, this year's event will include crafts and jewelry making; cookie decorating; medical and dental health activities; healthy snacks; child identification kit registration; and dance performances.

Schumaker said the physical portion - dance classes, martial arts demonstrations and an exercise class for kids - is extremely important in the Air Force community now.

"In the Air Force youth programs, physical activities are huge," she said, referencing first lady Michelle Obama's push to promote youth fitness.

A major part of the event is the photo shoot, according to GreyEyes. Children 5 and younger can have their photo taken and the pictures will be displayed at the Community Activity Center.

Shumaker said the photos help showcase life on the base.

"It shows that it's really a community raising children," she said. "We all come together for the sake of the children."

While the subject of child abuse can be uncomfortable to discuss, it's important for the community, according to GreyEyes and other members of the Family Advocacy Program.

It's a good time to "talk about it, discuss it, reflect on what it means and educate" the community, said Paula Lindstrom, Family Advocacy Program assistant.

Peggy Littlefield, the Family Advocacy Program nurse and New Parent Support Group program manager, said the event is a good way to introduce the various helping agencies to the base population.

"It's just a positive experience for families to get together," Littlefield said.