Bringing kiddos to the festival? Between our Kids Tent programming, playing in the mud, and creating music and art, there’s plenty to keep them busy. We recently caught up with Emily Griffin, one of our Kids Tent Co-Coordinators. Emily, Nancy St. John, and Sally Thomas, are ready to guide our goslings with tons of creativity and joy: it will be an experience your children never forget!
Wild Goose Festival: What’s your vision for your role at the Goose?
Emily Griffin: We want to invite children to see and hear biblical stories in a new way in the Kids Tent, to wonder authentically about them (rather than being told what they mean), to find their place in those stories, and to use their God-given creativity to respond in some way – whether through art or play. We use a method called Godly Play to help kids name and value their experiences of God and then practice how that God calls us to live with each other. By being playful and creative, we connect with our playful Creator!
WGF: How did you first hear about the community? How long have you been involved?
EG: A member of my church works with Jeff Clark (Wild Goose President/Producer) in one of his day jobs and told me about the need for help with children’s programming last year. 2016 was my first Goose, and I’m looking forward to coming back with at least a year’s worth of experience under my belt.
WGF: What kind of work do you do the rest of the year?
EG: I’m a priest in the Episcopal Church and work primarily with kids and families at St. Alban’s in Washington, DC. I also (along with Nancy and Sally) moonlight as a trainer for the Godly Play Foundation.
WGF: What’s your favorite thing about the Goose?
EG: I love the openness of the community to anyone of any age who is on an honest search for truth or goodness or beauty – who wants to help create a more just and peaceful world. No one has to leave any part of their identity behind to be here.
And outside of the Kids Tent…Don’t miss bestselling author Matthew Paul Turner give a reading of his latest book, When God Made You. Also a gifted photographer, Matthew travels across the globe documenting the vast effects of poverty and marginalization. Written in whimsical rhyme young readers are sure to enjoy, When God Made You celebrates children’s burgeoning gifts with tenderness and charm.
Hey Emily,
My name is Jeffrey Burns. I am one of the presenters at the WF. I will be bringing my 10-year-old daughter Oliva with me to the WG. Do we drop our kids off for the sessions or do we need to be in the sessions? If you can give me some details about what you expect and need from parents I would be most grateful.
Jeff
Hi Emily – I’m wondering, is the kids tent a drop off sort of thing? or do we attend with them? just trying to get a feel for attending the goose as a family 🙂 Thanks, Kristi
Hi Kristi,
There are 1-hour drop off sessions in the morning and afternoon on Friday and Saturday. Later on both afternoons, there will be either a family storytelling time or a family concert. Still finalizing the exact hours for all these, but I hope this helps!
Hi Emily !
Just wanted to take a moment and make a suggestion while you are making plans for the Kids Tent and any Art taking place at The Goose this year.
Something has taken hold on FaceBook and is spreading and may be something fun and inspiring – Kids & Adults. I first saw it as “Martin County Rocks” and then it has moved to NC to Surry County. You paint a rock and hide it for someone to find and make their day – they are to do the same. They are now being found in downtown Elkin and along our various trails. There are some glorious rocks handy in Hot Springs and bags of rocks can be purchased inexpensively as well. Not sure how The Spa will feel about disappearing rocks…. I started some on my own in preparation to do with my grandkids and hoping to get my Quilt Guild involved and the Trails people as well.
Take a moment and try and you’ll be pleasantly pleased. You can draw your design in pencil on the rock (eraser works as well). They are being painted with acrylic paint and then sprayed with a fixative such as Mod Podge to save the design. However – It is much easier to use paint sticks – one by POSCA comes highly recommended. I found them on Amazon in fine and medium points. I would just get them in fine – you can color in the Pencil lines on the rocks then outline them for crisp definitition. Many are writing Bible verses or short quotes of encouragement.
Seems like perfect thing for The Goose : )
Vicki,
That’s a fantastic idea. Adding to our list of art supplies!
Peace,
Emily+