This month, we met 2 other clusters for canoeing and a picnic. Au pairs canoed from the South Bridge to the North Bridge where we sat for a picnic.
This month, we had many good-byes for those au pairs that are going home this summer.For more photos go to canoeing and picnic
This month, au pairs gathered at my apartment for a breakfast. Au pairs that have little ones were able to bring their kids, who were the center of attention.
We started saying good-bye to a couple of au pairs who are going home over the summer. They shared their experience and discussed future plans.
For more photos go to au pair breakfast
This January we met for a multi-cluster snowtubing event at Nashoba Valley Snowtubing Park. Over 50 au pairs attended this annual event and had a lot of fun exploring this activity.
Counselors prepared hot chocolate and snacks that waited for au pairs after they came in from tubing the slopes to warm up.
Here’s our little group. Nice smiles, ladies!
Once a year, we offer a host family workshop. We always make it a fun event that is interesting to host families. They usually bring their au pairs, too. This year we met at the Honey Pot Hill farm and we met with families from other clusters. Host families usually bring their au pairs as this is a New England tradition that is a meaningful cultural experience.
We provided educational host family material, delicious apple cider and apple cider donuts and art activities for the kids. We had a great turnout, awesome weather and a lot of fun!
For more photos, go to Host Family Picnic
In August, we went to Nahant Beach for our cluster meeting. It was a beautiful day, although a little bit windy (blowing sand all over us). We still had a good time, welcoming many new arrivals who made new connections during our meeting. This is why our meetings are so important: it really helps newly arrived au pairs to find a new friend group, so necessary because they left theirs at home. We also said good-bye to au pairs whose year is over. They always have good tips for the newer au pairs, which they share during the meeting.
For more photos of our meeting, go to Nahant Beach 2016.
In June, we had planned to go canoeing and have a picnic in Concord. Unfortunately, it was rainy that day. On our rain date, most au pairs preferred to meet for coffee in Cambridge. So we picked up some coffee and sat near the Charles River in Cambridge. It was a nice, relaxing meeting.
In the summer we say good-bye and hello to a lot of au pairs. At our meeting, we wished Natalie, Lena and Amandine farewell. Good luck with your future endeavors!
This month, we gathered at my place for a mid-week breakfast meeting. Some au pairs who were on duty brought their kids along. This was one of my largest meetings with 25 au pairs in attendance!
We welcomed Katharina S., Anna, Lila and Lea to our cluster. We said good-bye to Veronika who is going back to Slovakia. This month we had our childcare/safety meeting and discussed summer safety.
This month, our au pair cluster joined 4 other clusters for snowtubing at Nashoba Valley. The temperatures were not too frigid and au pairs were able to stay outside for much of the two hours we were there.
We also held a sit-down meeting during a break, where we enjoyed hot chocolate and snacks. We also introduced new au pair Annabella and said good-bye to Lara who went home to Germany. As always, our meeting gave my au pairs a chance to make more connections and discuss au pair related topics.
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On a beautiful Saturday in September, host families from my cluster and three other clusters met for our annual host family picnic at Honeypot Hill Orchard in Stow, MA. Counselors provided apple cider, water, and apple cider donuts. Children had a chance to decorate cookies and participate in craft activities.
This meeting satisfies the State Department requirement to offer an annual host family workshop. Families had a chance to connect with each other and look at handouts related to being a host family, provided by counselors. This event also provided a cultural experience for our au pairs.
For more photos, go to host family picnic 2015
In December, we joined another local au pair cluster and celebrated the holiday season at ArtLounge in Arlington.
Au Pairs had a chance to mingle, listen to holiday music and enjoy refreshments. They also participated in a fun Yankee Swap.
Half way through the evening, an artist came in to lead those who chose to paint through the steps of creating their own painting. It was interesting to observe how each au pair put her personal touch to the painting.
For more photos of our celebration, go to Holiday Party.
