Dear WES Community,

As we kick off a new program year, members may be looking for ways to renew their ties with WES while being caring and responsible during the lingering days of this pandemic. Meeting outdoors, wearing a well-fitting mask, and maintaining social distance are some of the ways we can lower the risk of spreading COVID. Though meeting virtually is still a great choice for staying connected safely, for those who are able to attend an outdoor gathering, we hope to see you at Saturday’s cookout in Rock Creek Park. We’ll be at Rock Creek Park (here is a review of the area) Picnic Grove 10 this Saturday, August 21, from 3-7pm. 

If you are planning to come and haven’t yet RSVP’d, please click here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fadad2faafac70-welcome

So far, we have volunteers planning to bring equipment for frisbee, cornhole, and bocce. Do you have a low-contact game that can be played outdoors? Croquet? Badminton? Ladderball? Let us know on the sign-up sheet. 

In addition to your dinner, please bring:

• A well-fitting mask
• Water
• Sun protection (sun hat, parasol, pop-up, sunscreen)
• Something to sit on (camp chair, blanket)
• Outdoor, low-contact games
• Personal hand hygiene supplies (hand sanitizer or wash water and soap)

You may want to bring:

• A cooler with ice to keep beverages cold all afternoon
• Insect repellent
• Trash bags

Please DON’T bring:

• Casserole dishes to set out on a table for self-serve
• Alcoholic beverages, which are not permitted at Picnic Grove 10
• Unleashed pets
• Balloons, which are prohibited throughout the park
• Symptoms of illness. If you are having COVID-like symptoms, even if you think it’s just allergies or nothing serious, please stay home. 

When you arrive, please find Interim Leader Lyn Cox with the sign-in clipboard or the no contact QR code. Signing in will help us create a contact tracing list later if we need it. Lyn will also have a basket ready in case you brought a donation to the school supply drive for Family and Friends of Incarcerated People. Donating through FFOIP’s wish list is also a great way to support them. 

We’re hoping to make this gathering as COVID-safe as possible, so this is not a potluck. This is a Bring Your Own Picnic. There will not be a table of shared food and common dishes. Please bring a complete meal and water for your household. If you have something you’d like to grill, Membership Coordinator Maceo Thomas will be around for grill support. He might slip you a secret package of wrapped, grilled corn, but food won’t be left out in shared air space. 

Teens are invited to meet Youth Coordinator Linda Irizarry at the event. Linda will have more information about goals and ideas for middle school, Coming of Age, and high school in the coming year. Our plans are in progress as we figure out how to meet safely, but we can at least check in while we’re outdoors together. Also you will be able to sign-up to volunteer and for the 2021 to 2022 Youth Year. 

Let’s make this gathering as fun and safe as possible. We’re looking forward to seeing WES members in this season of renewal, whether outdoors or online or both.