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Slide-A-Thon at Smith Memorial Playground
Join us for the Third Annual
Saturday, October 8, 2022
Morning Kids Division (10am-12pm)
Afternoon Team Division (12pm-4pm, adults/kids)
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
3500 Reservoir Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Children ages 4-12 and adults of all ages are invited to enter the Slide-A-Thon fundraiser at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse. We welcome participation in Slide-A-Thon through event sponsorship, a kids’ division with timed slides and relay races, and a competitive team competition for adults and/or kids. Teams of up to 10 sliders will go head-to-head in a sportsmanlike battle to net the most slides in a 10-minute time frame, vying for the title of Slide-A-Thon Champion. It’s a highly coveted title, but nowhere near as coveted as the title of Play Champion that’s awarded to all of our amazing supporters!
Check out our FAQ’s below or reach out to Danielle Smith, Director of Development, at danielles@smithplayground.org or call 215-765-4325.
Create or find a personal Slide-A-Thon fundraiser!
Become a Corporate Sponsor
Whether you enter a team of sliders or not, you can become a sponsor for Smith’s third annual Slide-A-Thon! Enjoy a playful day of team-building, networking, and socializing on the playground while supporting Smith’s mission of Play for All. Sponsors who do not wish to enter a team can choose to have another nonprofit or a group of children slide in their place. Promotional recognition is offered on-site and through our social media channels, website, and e-newsletters, which reach over 25,000 followers, 15,000 subscribers, and 11,000 monthly website views. Slide-A-Thon also draws media coverage from print, online, and broadcast outlets.
View full sponsorship benefits
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Giant Wooden Slide?
The Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide is one of Smith’s original pieces of play equipment built in 1905 – just a few years after the Playground opened! In the early 2000’s it was named in honor of the eldest daughter of Ida Newman, one of Smith’s beloved founding board members. Ida was a long-time Strawberry Mansion resident who played at Smith as a child and supported our mission through her adult life. The Slide is the source of countless intergenerational memories for thousands of families in Philadelphia and beyond. Since 1899, Smith has been a free, safe space for play. Children of all backgrounds come together to exercise their bodies and imaginations through playful learning experiences, and the slide remains an iconic play destination to this day. The unique wooden sliding board is 12.5 feet wide, 40 feet long, and is waxed and polished for optimal sliding speed.
What happens at the Slide-A-Thon?
The Slide-A-Thon begins with family-friendly activities and kids’ relay races in the morning. Children will be grouped by age, and the fastest times take top honors. When they’re not competing, sliders can participate in crafts, games, burlap sack decorating, and more. Every child gets a prize!
The team competition begins in the afternoon. Teams of up to 10 sliders go head-to-head to see who can complete the most slides in a 10-minute time frame and be crowned the Slide-A-Thon Champions. Socialize with friends, colleagues, and other teams, enjoy beer, food trucks, and snacks, and have a blast supporting Smith! Prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams.
How does the Slide-A-Thon raise money for Smith?
Registration is $1000 per team or $25 per child. All participants are encouraged to create a peer-to-peer fundraising site leading up to the event to cover entry fees and raise additional money for Smith.
How do I register a team to participate in Slide-A-Thon?
Click the “Register Now” button above and enter your team details. Only one name is required to complete registration. The remaining team members’ names can be added later.
Can I still support the Slide-A-Thon if I’m unable to attend?
Yes! You can make a donation of any size to support this event by selecting the “Donation” option on the registration page. In addition, Smith offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities. Learn more!
What do proceeds from the Slide-A-Thon support?
Proceeds from Slide-A-Thon directly benefit the maintenance of Smith’s existing facilities and programs and the creation of new programs that better serve the community. Our goal is to always provide free, unstructured, nature-based play opportunities and quality educational programming while promoting environmental stewardship, especially for those in the underserved communities surrounding Smith that rely on our space the most.
Questions? Contact Danielle Smith, Director of Development, at danielles@smithplayground.org or call 215-765-4325.
Programs at Smith
Storytelling Magic at Smith!
“The Princess of Picky Eating Tries New Foods”
Tuesday, October 11
from 4pm-6pm
Join beloved storyteller Thembi Palmer and acclaimed author and nutritionist Stacey Woodson for an unforgettable, free afternoon of play, movement, storytelling, and food-related crafts at Smith in celebration of Reading Promise Week!
Stacey Woodson will kick off the event with a reading of The Princess of Picking Eating Tries New Food, a book loosely based on Dr. Seuss’s classic, Green Eggs and Ham. The story’s main character only eats foods that begin with the letter “B”. However, a sibling dare prompts her to try foods from other cultures, ranging from Jamaican Callaloo to Bolivian Quinoa. Following the read aloud, interactive storyteller Thembi Palmer will combine music, props, and learning through play activities to inspire a time of exploration and discovery of different foods and cultures. Finally, participants not only will have the opportunity to engage in a fun, vegetable-related craft activity, but they also will have the opportunity to try some of the delicious, allergy-safe foods featured in the story.
This program is designed for ages 4-8. Limited space, please register below!
Register Now
SUN Preschool Community Dreaming Dinner
Thursday, October 13
from 5:30-7:30pm
Join us for a community dreaming dinner at Smith Urban Nature Preschool — imagine what the school can be with us! Food and childcare provided, come when you can.
Free RSVP here!
Barely Scarely Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 29th
from 12pm-2pm
Don’t miss Smith’s Barely Scarely Halloween Spooktacular! Families are welcome to come in costume and enjoy a (hardly) haunted house, spider scavenger hunt, costume parade, fun with pumpkins, a slingshot contest, free giveaways, healthy and sweet treats, and other family fun in the 6 ½ acre Playground!
Admission is $10 per child (accompanying adults free). Free household admission for Smith member and PA ACCESS card households!*
*Please bring your member card (or name) or ACCESS card the day of the event. Not a member? Become one today at smithplayground.org/membership
Purchase Non-Member/ACCESS Tickets
Smith Urban Nature Preschool
With the recent completion of renovations to our historic Playhouse, Smith is excited to announce the opening of Smith Urban Nature Preschool!
While the enrollment process for Smith Urban Nature (SUN) Preschool has not begun, we would love to keep you updated as we prepare for our January 2023 opening. If you are interested in keeping in touch, please fill out our SUN Preschool Interest Form.
Have you ever dreamt of shaping a new school? The Smith Urban Nature (SUN) Preschool is looking for a visionary teaching team to launch its first year! Click here for the full job description. Please send your cover letter and resume to director@sunpreschool.org.
SMITH URBAN NATURE PRESCHOOL (SUNP)
Smith’s new Urban Nature Preschool on the lower level of the Playhouse aims to:
- serve children aged 3-5 and operate full-day, year round
- have a curriculum centered around exploration of the natural environment, led by the interests of the children
- include two naturally lit classrooms, emphasizing physical connections to the outdoors, as well as outdoor play-and-learn spaces
- be committed to serving a diverse range of families, including those who live in the neighborhoods closest to Smith
Meet Our Director
Zero Jones (any pronouns) is incredibly excited to step into the role of Director at Smith Urban Nature Preschool! Zero is a childcare worker currently living in West Philly. They’ve been making art and music with kids of all ages for over a decade, with early education classroom experience since 2015. Zero has a B.A. in Music Education from Temple University and an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Arcadia University. They also research, present, and consult on a variety of topics including self-directed education, expressive arts, and place-based learning. Zero loves playing a variety of instruments, as well as embroidering, reading, and keeping pet slugs!
Feel free to reach out to Zero with thoughts or questions at director@sunpreschool.org.
