Family Fun Night

How Often Do You Picnic?

Perhaps you have heard that one of the staple activities of summer has been declining.  A recently published book explained that in 1975, an adult went to 5 picnics a year on average.  In 1999 however, the number of picnics attended dropped 60% over almost 25 years to 2 per year.¹

While not exactly an epidemic in itself, it does point to a larger issue going on today. Whether it be service clubs, churches, school activities or even bowling leagues; participation in group activities are down. This means that individuals are getting less and less face-to-face interaction with their families and with others; which has negative effects on the individuals, families, and the community as a whole.

Spend Time Together as a Family

The McKean County Family Centers are working to reverse this trend in the county. They provide Family Fun Nights as an opportunity for a family to have fun together as well as a chance to interact with other families. The hour long Fun Night occurs in the evening at each Center in their Activity Room once a month. The evenings main focus varies, but may include:

• Crafts (i.e. birdhouses)
• Game Nights (i.e. Back to School BINGO)
• Seasonal and Holiday Activities (i.e. Halloween Monster Bash)
• Field Trips (i.e. Maple Syrup Tour)
• Parties (i.e. Ice Cream Social)

The Family Fun Night is open to all parents and their children in McKean County for the opportunity to connect and interact with others.

¹ Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000).