(Posted 2025 June)
Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption hosted an open house event for our foster families at scenic Lake Accotink Park in May. This midday event was designed to create a sense of community, provide educational activities, and celebrate the dedication of foster families within Fairfax County.
Building Community Through Family Fun
The weather was amazing, which allowed families to get to know each other while enjoying a delicious catered lunch and fun activities. The focal sensory training and movement activity was a hit with both children and adults, who learned ways to help develop their physical and emotional regulation skills.
The outdoor location offered a variety of amenities including boat rentals, scenic trails, and minigolf. The natural beauty of Lake Accotink Park provided the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of relaxation and connection. We even heard from one family that this was the best venue they had experienced for one of our events.
Families praised the food, the atmosphere, and the variety of things to do including games like Connect Four, making vision boards, playground play, sidewalk art, blowing bubbles, and more.
Even the inevitable mishap was met with good humor! Our group and other families in the park shared a collective chuckle when one of the children, caught in a playful mood, accidentally flung a huge rock into the middle of a neighboring family's picnic setup. It was an amusingly surprising moment that everyone took in stride.
Thank You for a Great Event
We’d especially like to thank the dedicated team of organizers who worked behind the scenes to make the day memorable. Their hard work and meticulous planning were evident in every detail, from the seamless coordination of activities to the tasteful refreshments.
Thank you for your teamwork which made this event a success: Julie Bowman, Gay Carinci, Samantha Chavez-Rojo, Neda Ghodsi, Jennifer Jensen, Amanda Macaulay, Pamela McMahon, Maya Mohindroo, Maggie Moreland, Heather Parks, Kendra Smith, Natalie Sposato, Dana Wade, Natalie Luong-Weeks, Felicia Woodbury, and Jennifer Woods.
Finally, thank you to all the foster families who turned out for this memorable event. We are so grateful for your dedication and effort in caring for the children in foster care, and we hope this event conveyed just how much we appreciate your contribution to our community.