Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/8/2021
LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Dads Club has been around since 2017, hosting monthly events for families to enjoy, events for dads and children to do together as well as social events for dads.
Founder Christopher Ruiz started the club when he and his family moved to Longmeadow in the spring of 2016 as a way to meet people and look for activities to do with his two children. The club is not limited: families that are expecting, already have children or families that are empty nesters are welcomed. The club is also not limited to only people in Longmeadow – the club has families from the surrounding areas of Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Enfield and more.
"We encourage everyone to come,” said Ruiz. “If a dad is working and their spouse wants to bring the kids to the event that's totally fine. If somebody wants to bring their friend that’s visiting, an uncle or grandparent; if the grandparents want to bring the kids themselves – there's no limitation we just try to serve as many people as possible and create a good opportunity for the kids.”
He went on to say, “Our dads”social events can range anything from dads going out to dinner, to archery lessons, trivia night and a book club. As far as the family events, we have a monthly hike that we do every month. We’ve done model rocketry. We recently had a bubble themed event for dads and kids. We also do a family camping trip every summer where a bunch of families from the area come together at one of the state parks and we all camp together.”
Prior to COVID-19, the club was hosting four to six events a month. During the pandemic, they ended up canceling most of their events, but were able to move some of them to Zoom. According to Ruiz, the club was in a holding pattern for a few months and stopped all of their in-person gatherings offering in-home or online activities for members to do on their own. By the fall of 2020, the club started doing limited outdoor events. “We’re still mostly outside; doing what we can here and there,” said Ruiz.
This year for the dads”social event, they'll be going to the Enfield Fencing Club on Sept. 24 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. For the children, the club is partnering with the American Go Foundation and the Richard Salter Storrs Library for a Learn to Play Go event on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. In October, they’re going to a Renaissance Fair in Connecticut and are looking to team up with the local Mom’s Club for an event at the Story Barn in Somers, CT.
“We’ve had some amazing opportunities for really cool events to do and great experiences for the kids. We work with an awesome community of people that get to connect on an everyday basis,” Ruiz concluded. “My hope is for the people that choose to join to continue to make connections and grow the community and create good experiences for families.”
To join the Longmeadow Dads Club, go to their website at www.longmeadowdadsclub.com. Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LongmeadowDadsClub.