On a warm June afternoon, laughter and curiosity filled the air at Young Park in Santa Fe as families gathered for a special outdoor edition of Book Club hosted by Las Cumbres’ Confident Parenting Home Visiting team. The usual structure gave way to something more organic — children ran freely, exploring nature and returning just in time for stories, snacks, and activities, while parents connected with one another and received support from our Home Visiting team.
With no walls or rigid schedule to confine them, the children were more attentive during story time, refreshed from play and ready to engage. Parents, too, seemed more at ease — comfortable chatting with home visitors and asking questions about their child’s development while surrounded by fresh air and friendly faces. As with every Book Club meeting, held monthly, children left with a free copy of the book to add to their home library.
The afternoon became more than just a Book Club — it was a celebration of community. Families new to the program arrived, curious to learn more, while longtime clients deepened their bonds with staff and fellow parents with children close to the age of their own. It was a rare chance for the entire Home Visiting team to connect face-to-face with clients outside the daily routine, and for families to witness their children forming early friendships and learning in joyful, low-pressure ways. From building early literacy to nurturing secure attachment, the park became a living classroom where relationships — between children, parents, and home visitors — were the true story of the day.