Summer 2023 PlayDate with UPD
On Thursday, August 10th we had the pleasure of welcoming a couple of UPD’s Detectives into Mendo LEAP for our famous “play date with a…” events! This PlayDate with a Cop event was a huge memory maker! The kids learned about ‘stranger danger’ and what to do if they are lost or need emergency help as well as grow a connection with local governance through PLAY!
We had 20 children excitedly waiting for our guests of honors to arrive! Detectives Elledge and Chapman came in and were ready to play! They shared with the kids about what they do as local detectives. They also gave the kids guidance on what “stranger danger” is and how to know if someone is a safe person or not. The kids learned about finding their way on the street if they are ever lost and what to say if they have to call 9-1-1.
Then we broke up into groups! Half the kids went into our Maker Space to make their own police hats and badges!
The other half of the event was in the play area doing some imaginary play!
For our first of 2 imaginary play scenarios we had “detectives” and “school kids”. Then we had a parent volunteer to be a “stranger” that pulls up next to the kids while walking home from school to try to give them candy, ice cream and get them to get in their car. The kids played out what to do in that scenario.
After making some great choices to yell ‘no’, stay back and run home(or somewhere safe) the kids told their parents and called 9-1-1! Then our detectives showed up and played out their roll and even found the suspect!
The next scenario we played out involved “detectives” and “homeowners/family”. Our family was excited to get home when they looked in their house (our play structure) and found it to be ransacked! After making some great choices to not enter in case there is still someone inside and calling the police, our detective and their trainees came!
Our detectives and their trainees gathered evidence, dusted for finger prints and searched for more clues!
Then it was time to head out side for some sidewalk safety lessons and to see the new patrol truck they brought to share with us all!
Then we went inside to explore our goody bags and enjoy some SLAM DUNK PIZZA!!!
In their ‘evidence’ goody bags was a detectives set. So they got a note pad, magic ink pen and special flashlight that when shone on the paper reveals what the invisible ink says. They also got their own mustaches, police rubber ducky, stickers and bracelets! They also each got a balloon which is always a favorite at our events!
Side note about balloons. We are now set up to offer helium services! So drop off your balloons to us and we will blow them up for you for a small fee!
SLAM DUNK PIZZA has been such a fantastic support to us as we navigate being a new business in the area. They are so encouraging and generous with their resources and wisdom! These kids were so hungry after their eventful morning, the pizza Slam Dunk volunteered to donate to us was the perfect respite! We sat and discussed their favorite parts of the event and got to engage in such fun conversations and even grew some new friendships! It’s amazing how play and pizza bring our beautiful human souls together!
We are so grateful for all the hard work our UPD does to protect us all every day! They work long difficult hours. They are always on call. And they are walk bravely into potentially dangerous situations everyday. The UPD were so generous to come and visit us for this play date to enrich the lives of our members and our community! Thank you for all you do, and thank you Elledge and Chapman for being such entertaining sports for these kids who will cherish these memories for a lifetime! I am already getting messages from parents saying their kids still haven’t stopped talking about their time with you!
I know my son was on cloud 9 the entire time and my daughter was so smitten she quickly made a very sweet card for them before they left! It was so cute!
Thank you to the Mendocino and Lake County communities who have visited us and continue to support our efforts to enrich the lives of the children and their families of our communities. Your continued support allows us to keep growing and bringing more child/community enriching events and educational play services to our area!
