Welcome, summer

Greetings!

☀️ Summer Resources to Explore!

• A camp directory to help you plan summer fun
• Simple, playful water play ideas to stay cool at home

📚 Reading All Summer Long

Discover summer reading programs at local libraries—a great way to keep kids engaged and learning!

💡 Parenting Blog Spotlight

Parenting Children with Disabilities by Megan McQueen offers thoughtful insights and support for families.

🔥 Wildfire Season is Here - Be Prepared

👉 Sign up for local alerts and take a few simple steps now to help keep your family safe.

🤝 Stay Connected

Explore local resources designed to help you and your family connect, learn, and grow together.

🌈 Celebrating June

We’re honoring and recognizing:

PRIDE Month • Juneteenth • Father’s Day

💛 We’re so glad you’re here.

Lane County Summer Resources

Looking for support with meals for busy kids, tips on learning and safety, fun water play ideas, and information about local camps? We’ve gathered it all in one place to help make summer a little easier - and a lot more fun!

Preschool Promise continues to accept applications throughout the summer.

Find out more here.

Let's Read!

Summer Reading is underway at the Eugene Public Library. Visit your branch to connect, create, learn and have fun. Every day through August, everyone in Eugene is invited to read for enjoyment and to broaden our horizons. Each child and teen gets to choose a gift book from a bazillion options, kids play book bingo, and adults and teens share reading recommendations for chances in a free raffle.

Summer Reading is for all ages at the Springfield Public Library: babies, kids, teens, and adults. The program is completely free and no library card is needed. Check out their summer events here.



Additional Summer Reading Programs:

Spoons Across America

Brightly Summer Reading Challenges

BOOK IT! Summer of Stories (Pizza Hut)

Parenting Blog

Parenting Children with Disabilities

"A diagnosis of a disability in your child can flood you with many emotions including anger, denial, sadness, and grief. Parents may also feel relief. You may have felt that something was “off” and your child was struggling or you were failing as a parent, when in fact, there were underlying issues leading to your child’s overall needs. Cope with your emotions and understand that there is no shame in how you are feeling."

Read Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative's recent blog post by Megan McQueen here.

Local Resources

Oregon’s wildfire season started early this year and is expected to last into October, according to state fire experts. Learn how to stay safe, stay informed and stay connected. Access resources before, during and after wildfires.

Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery

Lane County Wildfire Resources



Staying Safe When It's Hot or Smoky: Lane County Summer Survival Resources

Family Fun in the Sun at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Visit the museum’s native plant courtyard this summer for some family-friendly fun. Explore activities, crafts and experiments that will spark your curiosity about science, culture, nature and more! 

Family Fun in the Sun activities are available on Fridays and Saturdays only, from July 10 – August 29. See below for dates, times and activity topic schedule.

Family Fun in the Sun is perfect for families with children ages three and up.

Activities are included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID cardholders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Cultural Spotlight

June is PRIDE month

Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival 2026

Lane Events Center

Saturday, June 27 11 am - 7 pm

A celebration of all that makes our community great, featuring: live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, community partners, local vendors, family activities and more!

The Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative has combiled this list of Queer & Trans Family Parenting/Family Books. Looking for more titles? Check out Mombian.com’s extensive LGBTQ+ book database or ask your local librarian!

June 19: Juneteenth

The Juneteenth Rhythm and Resilience Celebration from noon to 6 p.m. at Downtown Riverfront Park, honors freedom, resilience, culture, and joy. This year’s event features a Juneteenth Parade, a fun Kids Zone, live performances, food, and entertainment.

The 3rd Annual Juneteenth Gathering will also take place at the Farmer's Market Pavilion and Plaza from 3 - 8 pm to honor the history and achievements of African Americans while commemorating the end of slavery. This event will have education, music, food, and fellowship. 

June 21: Father's Day

Fatherhood, Unfiltered

Join us for a new monthly virtual gathering created specifically for fathers who want a place to pause, reflect, and connect with other dads who understand the real-life ups and downs of parenting.

Whether you’re navigating new fatherhood, balancing work and family life, or simply needing a moment to check in with yourself, this is a welcoming, judgment-free space for honest conversation. We talk about the realities of being a dad — the wins, the worries, and everything in between — while sharing practical tips, encouragement, and perspective.

Second Wednesdays

12 - 1:30pm

Dads & Partners at WellMama

A peer support group for dads and partners navigating the transition to parenthood. This group offers space for open conversation, shared experience, and community connection in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. For folks expecting through 2 years. Free dinner is provided.

Next meeting is June 15, 5:30 - 7 pm.

Find out more information and register here.

13 Dads share the picture books they like to read to their children. You can find the Brightly list here: Dads on the Picture Books They Love Reading to Their Kids

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.

The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County is your local 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.