History and Steps to get started.
The history of the Family Pagan Picnic started back in Sept. of 2001. Our coven was coming back from Summer Solstice that was held at Ledges State Park in Boone, Iowa. Our coven (Coven of the Blessed Lady) was honored to do the public ritual. Of course we had all 4 of our children written in the ritual, since they were the only children that came with us that weekend.
On the way back home,our children said that they had a blast with their parts in the rite. Our oldest son studies Shaman and did the smudging (with another boy that was there) for the participants, before they came into the circle. Our youngest son played Merlin in our little fairy play that we started out with before we did the actually rite. Our 2 daughters played the Fairy princesses and walked around within the circle asking the people in the circle if they can see and hear the fairies.
Our children love being a major part of that day, that rite. So they wanted they own event ,one that was focus on the children only..workshops, crafts and games for children. Lunch meat picnics and a ritual that they can do their own. Soooo...when I got home I started working out some details and in Sept. we had ourselves a brand new event. The birth of the Family Pagan Picnics.
Since then what started out as 1 picnic in 1 area of Iowa as now spread throughout the state of Iowa to different regions. Regions being Des Moines area (Boone, Iowa), Iowa City,Iowa, Fairfield/Ottumwa, Iowa area, Quad Cites area and this year we are hoping to add Sioux City, Iowa to the list. But what is amazing is that different parts of the United States has decided to pick up this event as well. Orlando,Florida being the first started last year in 2004. This year we have interested parties in the states of Missouri and Wisconsin. Our children dream is to have this in all 50 states!! Something that maybe some day will be accomplished.
To get started on a picnic.
Here are the steps:
1. Location and date.... Location usually at a park, a date between May- Sept. before or after can get too cold at times. We usually start at 10am and go to 5 or 6 pm, the time is up to whatever you want to put into it. ( I suggest 11 am, as some people do like to sleep in and by the time they get ready they miss an hour of the picnic). And depending on how many workshops you have, the number who attend; we figure 2 to 3 dozen and that is including adults cause sometimes they like to do the activities too.
2. Get workshops...have people volunteer for this, some of the workshops we have had are:
- Native american drumming and medicine songs
- chants
- dreams
- ritual garb
- kids meditation (learning the basics)
- yoga for kids
- basic code of conduct
- tree lore
- folk lore
- traditions of wicca
- magick
- divinations (ie: pendulum, tarot, runes and crystal ball)
- herbs
- stones
- bath salts
And many more that has not been done. yet.
For craft workshops:
Items can be ordered in bulk from Oriental Trading. Or sometimes you can get a discount from a Hobby or Craft Stores. Just send a letter at least 3 months in advance to them asking for help.( I have letters that I will sign and give to you) Oriental Trading does not give discounts because they already sell in bulk, and you would have to spend $500.00 to get a discount. But if you ask for the catalogs to be sent to you and give an email addy they send discount offers and sometimes free shipping and handling...they have an expiration date on those or a certain amount you have to spend to get it. www.orientaltrading.com. Some of the craft workshops that we have had:
- dreamcatchers
- head pieces
- BOS
- wind chimes
- making talismens
- making runes
- pendulums
- offering plate
- decorating t-shirts,hats,aprons, treasure boxes, and tote bags
- bell fairies
- sand jars
- sand candles
- scented bath salts
- decorative charms to wear
- pagan rosaries
- blessed bees
and many more.
For games:
- Pin the Tail on Pan
- Pagan Bingo
- toss game
- water games
- candy dance...drumming and when it stops the kids get to pick candy up
- pinata
For family games:
- Sack race
- egg carrying race
- 3 - legged race
- wheel barrel race
We have had nature hikes, presentations of reptiles, animals and herbs.
We have had plays such as the moon phases.
3. You may want to get prizes for the children for just coming as well as winning. Some of the prizes we have given out were, handmade are the best. Here are some examples:
- talismens
- head pieces
- coloring books
- crayons, color pencils
- school boxes filled with glue stick, glue, pencils, erasers
- stones
- arrowheads
- feathers
- rings
- bandanas
- incense and holder
- charcoal for the herbs
Just to name some.
We also do a raffle at some of the picnics, depending on if we can get donations. Tickets are usually a $1.00 for 1 or $5.00 for 6; there are items for both the adults and the childen. Donations come from pagan businesses, mundane businesses, covens or groups. The Coven will donate an item to your picnic as well.
4.You would want to have a lunch of course, For the past years we have been doing where everyone will bring lunch meat, chips and salads to share or a potluck. Drinks and eatting utencils to be brought by each family. Sometimes you can get a group rate on food items from grocery stores so it is cheaper, and ask for a set price to cover the meal. Like meat and cheese trays, vegetable trays and so on. You can do what you would like to do as long as it is together as a group. We also set up a free will donation bucket to help raise funds for future picnics.
5. At the end of the day you will do a children ritual, that is done by the children (if you have enough) every child can have a part, depending on how many children you have. Adults will of course help out. And we do have a couple of rituals that doesn't implied to have a High Priestess or High Priest. We honor all paths of life at these picnics. This is just an example of the positions we have had children do in the Rituals.
- High Priestess
- High Priest
- the 4 elements
- center
- maiden, mother and crone
- the 3 aspects of the god (which is a hard part to create at times)
- creator of circle
- help with the drink and treat, which is usually a juice and cookie, we provide a glass or goblet to be handed around the circle
- enchanter
- drummer
About any part that you may think of, as long the children can do it all. *they need to have experience from some where for the future* We feel training them now is an excellent opportunity for them to get first hand knowledge and experience of what we do as adults in our rituals. We have children rituals if you need one we would be more then happy to send it to you. "Winnie the Pooh" and the "When the Colors Fought" are just 2 of the rituals we have done and there are many more.
You can have a potluck after the ritual if you like, that is optional, you can make this a weekend camping thing as well, with the children doing the opening and closing rites.
Make this a day for the children. Something where they will feel special!! Where their parents,grandparents or their guardians can sit back and relax and watch them or help them, we have fun with them with the crafts and playing games and everything else we do. This event can be with those that don't have children as well. It is welcome to all.
We will sponsor and help out with as much funds as we can, but we do prefer if you can do your own funds as well. We do have donations that have comes in every year. Unfortunately there is never enough to go around. We do have discounts as Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart if you apply under the Universal Life Church and use Reverend Chrissy Dunham and your name as Secretary they usually will give you a gift card to purchase supplies with. We don't mention we are pagan/wiccan because alot of businesses are Christian based and some unfortunately are bias. Most of this does come from our Coven members as well or adults willing to donate their time to do workshops and provide the items for no cost. And we appreciate all the help we can get.
Any more questions, please let me know. Gypsy at covenoftheblessedlady@yahoo.com