Monthly Program Newsletter
for Parents, Guardians, and Community-Based Bigs
IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES GUIDELINES
Big Brothers Big Sisters is following NJ state guidelines related to COVID-19. We continue to expect our matches to follow CDC and State guidance on Covid safety and in-person interactions -- see the link below to review our guidelines. We ask that you follow these recommendations and discuss mask wearing and activities with each other (parent/guardian/volunteer/child) when planning outings.
VISIT THE EMLEM PHYSICK ESTATE
The Emlem Physick Estate is Cape May's only Victorian House Museum. The interior of this mansion, built in 1879, has been restored to reflect the Victorian architecture and the Victorian period, and explores how the family would have spent their time. There are many tours of the interior, of you can walk the grounds and view these fun & whimsical display of winters past.
FOREVER FOREST 2021
Visit "New Jersey's #1 Holiday Experience," located in Egg Harbor City, featuring plenty of interactive attractions, Santa's Workshop activities, and lots outdoor fun! Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to get 10% off the price of admission! Reserve your date in advance, as these tickets sell out fast!
NEW YEAR'S CLEAN UP
AT SUNSET BEACH
Join AmeriCorp's NJ Watershed Ambassador Program on Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 10am-2pm as they organize a community beach clean up at Sunset Beach in Cape May!
All supplies (gloves, pickers, bags, PPE, ) will be provided. Please wear warm clothes, and bring some snacks & water. You may even be the next person to find a hidden treasure!
YARD FAMILY CHRISTMAS DISPLAY
"Just a small town family who loves to brighten people's lives around Christmas time." The Yard Family's Christmas display located at 4 E. Curran Drive, Absecon, has gotten bigger and better over the years.. and you won't want to miss out this year! There will be special guests from 6-9pm including Mickey Mouse on December 10th-11th, Elsa & Anna on December 14th-15th, and Santa Claus December 21th and 24th! They have a new and improved backyard area, complete with hot chocolate and treats!
*Free to the public - all donations go to a local family in need*
FREE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
Catch the hilarious holiday movie Elf at a free drive-in movie night being held on December 18th at Amanda's Field, located at 1091 Rt 9, Petersburg, NJ. The event opens at 5:30pm, with the movie beginning promptly at 6pm. Space is limited and all cars must be registered. Click the link below to reserve your vehicle space now! Note that this event takes place on the same day as our annual Holiday Celebration, so please plan accordingly.
HISTORIC SMITHVILLE VILLAGE
Smithville Village turns into a Winter Wonderland during the entire month of December, and there are so many things to see and do! There are lots of small, local shops to explore, a whimsical holiday train that operates every night, and a light show over the lake in the center of the Village that operates every night between 5:30-8:30pm. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at dusk, you can roast s'mores around the campfire "on the greene." Support some local businesses or simply enjoy the holiday spirit every night of December! Click the link below to learn more about Smithville Village.
FAMILY SUCCESS CENTERS
Family Success Centers are community-based, family-centered neighborhood gathering places where community residents can go for family support, information, free activities, and services. The Family Success Center’s goal is to enrich the lives of children and adults by making families stronger and empowering them to succeed. Click the link below to find a Family Success Center near you, and remember to sign up for events & services early, as spots fill up quickly!
NJ 211 HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE
The link below will lead you to the NJ 211 Holiday Assistance Resource page. If your family or a family you know is in need of assistance during the Holiday season, you can find gift giving and holiday meal programs. If you are in the position to pay-it-forward this season, there is also a list of places in need of donations and volunteers.
TOYS FOR TOTS
Toys For Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserves, whose mission is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to children in need at Christmas. Their goal is to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children. To apply for toys, or to learn about several ways to support their mission, use the link below!
MORE ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
Are you new to the BBBS program? Are you having trouble thinking up fun activity ideas that keep everyone safe and healthy? Looking for local resources to help your family through this challenging time? Click the links below to view previous newsletter issues. We sent out a weekly newsletter from March through September and then switched to a monthly format.