Summer Fun
Greetings!
Happy July, everyone!
Fun & Free Family Activities
Looking for ways to enjoy summer without spending a lot? Explore free events, outdoor concerts, and check out county and state fair admission discounts.
Story Spotlight
Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal
A joyful addition to your summer reading list for 3–5 year old
Parenting Blog Spotlight
"Free and Proud – Do You Know the Story?" by Ayisha Elliott
Family Fun in the Water
Find local places to swim + important water safety tips to keep your family safe this summer
Family Resources
Support, tools, and connections for families in our community
Celebrating July
We’re honoring and highlighting:
- Disability Pride Month
- Oregon Asian Celebration
We’re so glad you’re here.
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Free, full-time preschool for kids ages 3 and 4! Preschool Promise continues to accept applications throughout the summer.
Find out more here.
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Serafina Makes Waves
This purr-fectly adorable picture book introduces an irresistibly over-the-top new kitty character who’s ready to make a big splash!
Meet Serafina! If there’s one thing you should know about Serafina, it’s that she absolutely, positively HATES water. Running faucets, rain, or the sea? No thank you. So even though she looks fantastic in goggles, Serafina is NOT happy to be forced into a swim class by the powers that be. NOTHING can convince her to get into that disgusting pit of seething water. Nothing, that is, except maybe a very beloved old friend who needs a hand.
From acclaimed creators Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal comes an unforgettable picture book that shows how trying new things can lead to unexpected joy.
Find more summer reads: The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Kids Ages 3 – 5
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Free and Proud - Do You Know the Story?
"It's June, and that means the end of the school year, summer camps, and pool days with your little ones are in full swing. In previous blogs, I talked about skin care and hair maintenance for exactly these moments, however since June only comes once a year, I want to talk about two of its most significant occasions: Pride Month and Juneteenth."
Check out the latest Hub blog, written by contributor Ayisha Elliott.
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"Playing in the water is one of summer’s greatest joys, and Oregon is full of beautiful spots to cool off—from sunlit lakes to shady creeks and hidden swimming holes. With just a little preparation and care for those around you, these moments can stay carefree and full of fun. Let’s keep the good times rolling, safely."
Read Taj Barnhart Morgan's full article for Eugene Cascades and Coast here.
Splash Pads, Pools, and Ways to Stay Cool
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Swimsuits should be bright and stand out against the blue-toned water.
"Believe it or not, when shopping for swimsuits for your children, color — not style, design or your kids’ favorite Disney icons — is of the utmost importance. The color and visibility of your children’s swimsuits underwater could actually save their lives!" Learn more here.
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Get There for Less with Dollar Days of Summer
LTD is reducing fares for a limited time to make getting where you need to go even more affordable. This limited-time reduced fare promotion applies to LTD fixed-route and EmX buses, RideSource, Rhody Express, Diamond Express, LTD Connector, and Rural Shuttle. Dollar Days of Summer starts July 1 and continues through August 31, 2026. Explore, connect, and enjoy summer for less! Learn More Here
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Fun For All
June 29-August 21, 2026
Monday-Friday • 10 am-noon
No program July 3
Acorn Park, 1501 Buck St.
Petersen Park, 870 Berntzen Road
Enjoy a free, drop-in park program that brings the community together through games, arts, crafts and special events in a safe, welcoming space. Kids and teens can join the fun and leave whenever they like.
Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by someone 15 or older. For safety, all participants are asked to provide an emergency contact name and phone number upon arrival. Funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax.
Food for Lane County will be serving free lunch from 11:30 am-12:30 pm at both sites.
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Visit Families Connected Sensory Zone at These Summer Festivals
Families Connected and Familias en Conexión are excited to bring the Sensory Zone to several community festivals this summer, helping make these events more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
July 4: Springfield's Light of Liberty Celebration & Fireworks
July 18: Oregon Asian Celebration
July 22: Our Journey - An Intertribal Quarterly Cultural Collective
July 24: Strength in Neurodiversity Summer Festival & Pool Party
July 25: Blackberry Jam Festival - Lowell
Their goal is simple: to ensure every family can participate in community celebrations without feeling they have to stay home because of sensory challenges.
The Sensory Zone provides a calm, welcoming space where children, teens, and adults can take a break if the sights, sounds, or crowds become overwhelming. The quiet area offers a place to relax, regroup, and self-regulate before returning to the festivities.
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The Strength in Neurodiversity Summer Festival and Pool Party is scheduled for Friday, July 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Amazon Pool at 2600 Hilyard Street.
Come celebrate Disability Pride Month with numerous community agencies! Don't miss this free evening of entertainment, games, food, friends, and fun!
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Alton Baker Park, Eugene, Oregon
10 am - 9 pm
Gather your family and friends and join us at the Oregon Asian Celebration as we honor the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, energy, passion, and innovation. The festival opens at 10:00 a.m. with the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, a beloved cultural tradition performed to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead.
Inspired by the spirit of the Horse, this free community celebration features colorful performances on the Main Stage and Martial Arts Stage, more than a dozen Asian cuisine food vendors, a bustling marketplace, cultural exhibits, hands-on youth activities, interactive demonstrations, a Karaoke Contest with prizes, and much more.
Whether you come for the food, entertainment, arts, or cultural experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Oregon Asian Celebration for a memorable day of culture, community, and discovery.
Learn more about the Year of the Horse and the traditions and symbolism behind this special zodiac sign.
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Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at education@unitedwaylane.org.
Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. (Some translation provided by DeepL.) Deep appreciation to the team at ODHS for keeping our community connected. Newsletter edited by Lisa Milton.
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The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County is your local early learning and parenting education hub.
Our mission is to ensure all parents in Lane County have the knowledge, tools, and support to nurture their child’s optimal development for success in school and life.
| | The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County is made possible with support from: | | | | |
