New from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse! |
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In addition to celebrating our nation’s independence, the 4th of July kicked off the summer with fireworks and backyard BBQs! July’s hot afternoons are perfect for ice cream socials too! Did you know President Ronald Reagan declared July “National Ice Cream Month” in 1984? In his proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe National Ice Cream Month with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Here’s a fun fact about the ice cream cone. During the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, one of the ice cream vendors reportedly ran out of dishes before filling all of his orders. To make sure his customers got ice cream, he teamed up with a waffle vendor who rolled his waffles into cones. Isn’t that interesting?
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July is also National Park and Recreation Month. This year’s theme for Park and Recreation Month is “Our Park and Recreation Story,” with the goal of highlighting the stories of how our communities are stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient because of parks and recreation. Often, when we say “parks,” we think of National Parks, which are certainly great places to visit. However, the reality is many of us are more likely to visit local parks on a more frequent basis. Whether you live in an urban or rural community, parks always offer an opportunity to have fun! Local parks are often our first experiences in nature or an introduction to a favorite hobby or physical activity. They are places for friends and family to gather and for kids to explore; they are spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, spots of reflection, and, in general, places that connect us as a community. This has never been more evident than over the last year as we sought opportunities to gather or engage in outdoor activities amidst the “new normal.”
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Parks can offer so many opportunities to have fun and connect with your kids--whether you stroll through the park talking, exploring nature, or just throwing a football around. Spending time together not only builds memories but also models positive parenting. Here are some ideas:
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Pack a picnic. Let the kids help plan and prepare the food. Grab a football, frisbee, jump rope, or some sidewalk chalk, and go have some fun! Don’t forget the sunscreen, bug repellant, and the wipes!
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Take in a little history. Historical parks can be fun and educational. Like exploring the early life of President Abraham Lincoln at his Birthplace National Historical Park in Kentucky. While there, you can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and Lincoln's boyhood cabin.
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Write a park story. Ask your children about their favorite park, what they love about it, and create your family’s own “Park and Recreation Story.” Write down what your children share, or have them write it down, and revisit and reflect on it over time.
Not sure where parks are near you? Check out Find Your Park. It can help you locate parks based on location, desired activity, or park name. You might be surprised to find out how many fun and exciting parks are right around the corner!
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Host a Fatherhood FLAME Event in Your Area
Fatherhood services are more important now than ever, and fatherhood programs work best when they are connected and integrated in the communities they serve. This year, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) is supporting local fatherhood efforts through its Focusing the Fatherhood FLAME Community Conversations initiative. These events are dynamic, collaborative forums that your organization can hold locally to energize father-serving providers, advocates, and the broader community.
Champion organizations that host FLAME Community Conversations will be equipped with the free FLAME Starter Kit, a turnkey package of modular conference content and comprehensive how-to guides and templates. The FLAME Starter Kit provides everything your organization needs to convene a top-quality fatherhood event--even small organizations. It includes exclusive session content featuring engaging speakers, ready-to-use event materials, and easy customization to meet your local needs.
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Men’s Health and Wellness (Twitter Chat)
Join the NRFC on Thursday, July 29, 2021, from 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. EST for an important Twitter chat on Men's Health and Wellness. Our experts (@lorenzoplewis @mrdad @rmitch_jr) will discuss the healthy lifestyle choices for men/fathers, among other great topics! Use #Dadication
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We are available by phone.
If you need resources or support, give us a call on our
Parent Help Line at 1-877-4-DAD-411 (1-877-432-3411).
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Practitioners working with fathers play a key role in helping fathers and families access information. This month we’re highlighting National Park and Recreation Month. Consider hosting a gathering of fathers and their children at a local park or an ice cream social for families served through your program. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but sprinkles and chocolate syrup are a must if you set up an ice cream bar!
Have you considered sharing information with fathers you serve about career options and certification programs available in the field of parks and recreation? National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) offers lots of information about various career options and certification programs. Here are a few examples:
- Park Operations Director (or Maintenance Director or Maintenance Superintendent)
- Park Maintenance Foreman
- Facilities Manager
- Athletics Supervisor (or Athletics Manager)
- Aquatics Supervisor (or Aquatics Manager)
- Recreation Programs Coordinator (or Recreation Program Manager)
Whether dads are looking for a new job, or a certification to advance their career, NRPA can help fathers find opportunities that are right for them.
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Disclaimer: Reference to specific products, services, or companies does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), or the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. ACF is not responsible for the contents of “off-site” web page references or for any private, third-party, pop-up, or browser-integrated software or applications. |
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Upcoming Events
NRFC is monitoring events and will update our website and in newsletters if events are canceled.
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Our Mission: The goals of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse are to provide, facilitate, and disseminate current research and proven and innovative strategies that will encourage and strengthen fathers and families and providers of services.
Our Resources: Visit the NRFC website for fatherhood topics and tools, news, and new publications, which can be found through the NRFC online library search.
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