Community Newsletter | June 2023

Leading Outdoor Nature-Based Early Learning Childhood Experiences - Tips, Tricks, and Hacks!

In this fun class we will explore practical and engaging outdoor experiences focusing on children aged birth to five. Special attention is given to easy-to-obtain materials, seasonal activities that could be taught in a range of environments and meeting the developmental needs of children—using nature as a teaching partner. Clock hours available.

WHEN: Saturday, July 15 | 9 - 10:30 am

WHERE: Online (Zoom link will be sent to you after registration)

COST: Free

AUDIENCE: Early Learning Professionals, Child Care Providers, Parents/Caregivers

Learn more and register here

Finding Your Motivation for Exercise

We have all heard it many times before – regular exercise is good for you in so many ways. But for many of us, it can be hard to make exercise a regular part of our lives — you are busy, there’s not enough time in the day, you don’t have the energy to work out, that old knee injury makes it hard to do some of the things you used to do. Exercise looks different for everyone, and finding activities that bring you joy will not only help to improve your physical health but your mental health as well. To read more on the benefits of regular exercise and how to find your motivation, check out this article Finding Your Motivation for Exercise by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). 

Stop By and See Us This Summer!

Our Healthy Eating Pillar staff will be at farmers markets this summer with student-grown produce, kid’s activities, and tasting opportunities! Stop by and see us at the Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market on July 5 and August 2 and at the Concrete Saturday Market weekly between June 17 and September 2. 

Make Garden Tacos with Kiddos!

Concrete Elementary students are celebrating the end of the school year in the school garden with garden tacos! Join them at home by providing your child with a lettuce or kale leaf and help them explore your garden and try new things by harvesting their taco filling. Popular items in our school garden include raspberries, edible flowers (like nasturtiums and kale blossoms), pea shoots and radishes. Not much growing in the garden yet? Cut up fresh veggies like radishes, salad turnips, or carrots to supplement. Be sure to accompany your child on their harvest and make sure they only pick edible items!

YOUth Got This! Regional Youth Summit!

We hosted nearly 150 middle school and high school youth from the five-county region for an exciting day focused on mental health, leadership development, healthy coping skills, and drug and alcohol prevention. Students gathered at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center on May 24, where they heard from two amazing keynote speakers: Alexander Cook and Vincent Perez, and dove head first into what it means to lead and what one can do to take care of themselves through hardship.

Students stepped outside their comfort zones, affirmed themselves in the power they hold, and came together as peers and community members. One student remarked, “I learned that you should always put kindness back into your community and the world.” Another student added, “one small action can make the world better for the whole community.” 

View the recap video at the left to see what the day was like, and what students had to say about it.

Find Your Voice at Concrete Youth Activity Day

Join us for Concrete Youth Activity Day on Thursday, July 13 from 10 am – 2 pm at Silo Park. This year’s theme is Find Your Voice, celebrating youth expression with activities that are artistic, energetic, reflective, and more! This free event is open to all families and visitors in east county and also features food, a community resource fair, and prize drawings! Follow the Concrete Resource Coalition Facebook page for updates and information on this annual positive community experience. 

Medication Bags Protect Loved Ones

Protect your loved ones by locking up your medications. Click here to request a free locking med bag that can be mailed to your home.

Have medicine that is out of date or no longer needed? You can safely dispose of it through the US Mail with a medication return envelope, which can also be requested free from our website.

Made possible by funding from the Washington State Health Care Authority 

Use WIC Benefits at Local Farmers Markets!

Families can now use their WIC Fruit & Vegetable dollars at local Farmers Markets! Starting this summer, WIC participants will have the option to use a QR code to make their purchases. Visit our website for information on how to obtain and use your QR code.

We encourage clients to stop by our WIC table on the dates/locations below to receive up to $28 in additional Farmers Market benefits:

• Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market on July 5, 12, 19, 26
• Stanwood Farmers Market on July 7
• Concrete Saturday Market on July 8

Download the WIC & Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program flyer

Jazz Up Your Drinking Water

Drinking water is essential to life – we literally need it for our bodies to function properly. But it’s often hard to get enough water throughout the day, and sometimes you crave something with a little more flavor. To help quench your thirst and keep you feeling healthy, download these recipes for water you can't wait to drink!

• Lemon/Cucumber
• Berry/Lime
• Fennel/Citrus
• Watermelon/Rosemary
• Pineapple/Mint

We are pleased to be a Festival Partner supporting Burlington's Berry Dairy Days! Look for the United General District 304 booth and stop by to make a pedal-powered berry smoothie with the popular Fender Blender! We'll have information available about our community-focused programs and classes.

Did you know you can use your Fred Meyer card to help make our programs possible? Through Fred Meyer Community Rewards, you can link your card to Foundation of District 304. Link your card in person on your next visit, or click here to do it online. Funds support classes, trainings, and programs for Foundation of District 304 at no cost to you!

Thank You!