Play ADK offering free infant, toddler playgroups to Saranac Lake, neighboring communities
SARANAC LAKE, NY — Play ADK will begin offering free infant and toddler playgroups at its Clubhouse in downtown Saranac Lake, starting May 8.
These playgroups mark the launch of Play ADK’s Family Center, which will be incorporated into the planned children’s museum at the historic Branch and Callanan warehouse on Depot Street once opened. The playgroups will be held three times per week — Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon — at The Clubhouse, located at 84 Main Street in Saranac Lake. They will expand to include parenting support groups, parent education classes and other fun, free events to encourage family interaction, build strengths and maximize the capacity of families to raise healthy children and build Adirondack communities.
“The need for these resources precedes the development of the museum,” said Deb Roddy, chair of Play ADK’s Board of Trustees. “Thanks to support from Saranac Lake Elks Club and smaller programmatic grants, we’ve found a way to provide these resources without taking critical dollars away from our capital campaign.”
Playgroups will be structured to include skill building activities for each session and offer children a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment to build on social skills such as sharing, taking turns and group learning. The sessions will start and end with play time to give children a chance to play with others, engage in sensory activities and explore art materials. Playgroups also give parents and caregivers an opportunity to develop social connections and build a network of support in their community.
If you’re interested in volunteering to facilitate these playgroups at The Clubhouse, send an email to discover@playadk.org.
Thanks to support from Adirondack for Kids and Explore Adirondack Frontier, Play ADK’s Clubhouse will also be open for free play throughout the summer Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. The Clubhouse features a mini play kitchen, a small climbing structure, a ball pit, a quiet reading nook, bubbles, chalk, a coloring/craft station, Legos, Magnetix, a mini canoe for play fishing, a parent lounge area and more. Visit playadk.org/calendar to stay up to date on Play ADK’s summer activities.
Play ADK has purchased a historic, two-story warehouse and large industrial site on Depot Street in Saranac Lake that will be the future home of a 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art children’s museum. Since purchasing the property, Play ADK has completed a site survey, contracted with an architect and begun the conceptual development process.
“This is just the beginning,” Play ADK Executive Director Rob Carr said. “We’re very excited to be able to offer play-based programming at The Clubhouse, but what’s in store at Play ADK’s permanent location on Depot Street will be a game changer for local families and tourists with young children. We need our community’s support now more than ever to keep the momentum of our project going.”
Fundraising continues as Play ADK looks to secure funding to bring the project to completion. If you’re interested in supporting Play ADK with a charitable gift, or want to learn more, visit playadk.org or contact Rob Carr at robcarr@playadk.org or (518) 888-2702.