2005 Special Note to Parents

We welcome children to Zimfest and have made a special place for them this year. With the Teacher’s track we are expecting to have childrens’ bands as featured guests on Friday afternoon. We hope all children will enjoy this special treat.

Several options for children are available throughout the festival. Please read below for details about children attending workshops, presentations, and concerts as well as childcare available during workshops and the evening concerts. If you choose to bring a child to a workshop or other event, please understand that it is your responsibility, out of respect for the teachers and other participants, to leave with that child if his or her needs are causing a distraction.

Child Care During the Festival

There is a lounge and kitchen/bathroom area that will be set aside during the festival for parents and children to use. In addition, there is a small playground inside the Fairhaven courtyard that will be available for some of the time during the festival. THE LOUNGE AND PLAYGROUND WILL NOT BE STAFFED AND PARENTS NEED TO ORGANIZE / COORDINATE SUPERVISION AT THESE AREAS. If you are interested in this option please check the child care information on the registration form and contact the volunteer coordinator for more information at volunteers@zimfest.org.

Children as Workshop Participants

We are happy this year to offer several workshops for young people to learn different types of Zimbabwean music as well as language, dance, games and crafts. In order to make these workshops successful, we are asking that children aged seven and under have an adult attend the workshop with them — both parent and child must register and pay for the class. Children over 7 may attend the workshops by themselves; however, please consider the child’s attention span and comfort level with this situation. Children, ages 8 and over, are welcome to register for any Zimfest workshop provided they meet the prerequisites and playing level for the workshop. We hope this policy will encourage our children to join us in our love for this music.

Children Accompanying Adults to Workshops

We encourage parents to coordinate child care (see below for information) so that they are able to attend workshops without their children. If you prefer to have your child close by during a workshop, the child may not participate in the class and will be expected to sit quietly in the back of the room, be occupied with a quiet activity, and not distract the other workshop participants. We would like to encourage you to take advantage of the child care options provided for young children. The child may not participate in the class. If your attention is needed, please step outside to give it.

Evening Concerts

There is a quiet, carpeted room above the gym with a window looking down on the concert area where we anticipate young children playing quietly or “bedding down” for the evening. The sound of the concerts will be heard quietly in this room. Please remember, children must be supervised AT ALL TIMES while in this room. THERE IS NO BEDDING or STAFF provided so you may wish to “kid-pool” with another parent for coverage.