It’s time to celebrate your family and everything that makes it great, with Council’s National Families Week program kicking off this month.

National Families Week, which is celebrated every year between 15 and 21 May, acknowledges the vital role families play in society. It’s a time to reflect on the strengths and significance of families, make contact with extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community.

To celebrate, Council is offering a range of free and low-cost activities throughout the week, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Council’s program this year includes:

• Parent and Carer Child Safety Talk, Monday 15 May, 6-7.30pm;
• Family Yoga Session, Tuesday 16 May, 5.30-6.30pm;
• Teddy Bear Picnic, Wednesday 17 May, 10am-noon;
• Child Restraint Fitting Day, Thursday 18 May, 9am-2pm;
• Camden Swirls – Tween Creative Club, Friday 19 May, 4-7pm;
• Family Movie Night, Friday 19 May, 6pm;
• Alan Baker Art Gallery Families Week Workshop, Saturday 20 May, 11am-noon and 12.30-1.30pm;
• Family Games Day, Saturday 20 May, 10am-noon;
• Families’ Week Storytime at Camden Libraries, Monday 15 to Sunday May; and
• Camden Kids Creative Competition, entries open at 9am on Monday 15 May and close at 5pm on Monday 29 May, with winners announced on Friday 2 June.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said this year’s theme for National Families Week was ‘Living real, dreaming BIG’, which was all about celebrating families in all their diversity.

“This really is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family life – no matter what form your family takes,” Cr Fedeli said.

“We’re so lucky to be welcoming so many different families into our area every week, and these families come in so many different shapes and sizes, and have lots of different beliefs, habits and customs.

“All these different elements are special because they go a long way in in allowing people to feel they belong; they are supported and they are unconditionally loved. As an extension of this, they go a long way in making a strong and wholesome community that is capable, resilient and connected.

“I encourage you to bring your family together and enjoy one of the many options while remembering how important your family – biological and chosen – is to you.”

For more information on the activities on offer this National Families Week, visit our Camden Kids website.