On Wednesday, June 7, Big Lake Community Education kicked off the summer by hosting two fun family events: ECFE in the Park and the inaugural Summer Kickoff.

ECFE in the Park

The morning started out with the first ECFE in the Park event of 2023. Nearly 90 families came out to Liberty Elementary to enjoy the nice weather and some projects, music and movement, and stories. There were special appearances by Sherburne County Health, Big Lake Fire & Rescue, Centracare, and the Big Lake Police department, and families even got to bring home a book and other goodies!

ECFE in the Park is just starting out its seventh year, and has been an extremely successful collaboration between Big Lake ECFE and the City of Big Lake since the beginning. ECFE in the Park gives families the chance to interact with community leaders and other families, as well as learn about community resources. As a result, the event has helped build family-community connections, foster community belonging, and make Big Lake feel more like home for many area families.

Numerous more ECFE in the Park events will be happening all over Big Lake this summer.

If one wants to get in on the fun, visit biglakece.com to learn more and to find a list of this summer’s parks.

Summer Kickoff

In the afternoon, Big Lake Community Education hosted the inaugural Summer Kickoff event, which featured lots of fun activities for the whole family. One highlight was Ninja Anywhere: a mobile ninja and inflatable obstacle course. Kids ran up the warped wall, flew across the trapeze bars, floated across the balance beam, and more. 

There was also a petting zoo, yard games, Spanish music and movement activities (provided by Ana Reeves), face painting (provided by The Big Lake Ambassadors), and numerous food vendors and community booths.

Concession proceeds will be used to help fund Big Lake Schools’ Hornet Hospitality rooms, resource rooms that provide basic necessities, like deodorant and clothes, to students in need.

If one is looking for more summer fun, Big Lake Community Education is offering a wide variety of classes, both for kids and adults, that can help keep one’s family busy all summer long. 

Visit biglakece.com to check out a full list of offerings.