Connecticut Office of Early Childhood webinar highlights free and low-cost summer activities for families

Hartford — State and local experts on a Connecticut Office of Early Childhood webinar on summer activities recommended practical, low-cost ways for families and providers to keep children engaged without adding financial strain.

Elena Truworthy, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, opened the session and said the program would "explore ways to create summer fun for children on a cost friendly budget." The webinar combined a keynote, campaign videos and a panel of library staff, child-care providers and state officials.

Why it matters: Panelists framed the discussion as both a child-development and mental-health issue. Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves of the Department of Social Services said in a recorded message that "the most important thing that you can do for them is really just spend time with them," linking low-cost interactions to stronger development during the early years.

What speakers recommended: Keynote speaker Judy Caspersen, a financial wellness partner, urged families to set a clear disposable-income plan and prioritize activities accordingly. "The first thing to think about is how much money disposable income, how much am I allotting for a week or for a certain event?" she said, recommending simple at-home projects (pasta-making, scavenger hunts, homemade crafts) and recurring routines to reduce stress.

Library and community resources: Lena Osho Williams of the Hartford Public Library described libraries as summer hubs offering story times, cultural programming and free museum passes. "All of our services are free," she said, encouraging families to get a library card and check local calendars for performers and park story times.

Provider perspective and hands-on ideas: Liliana Lobo, owner and director of Smartly Fun LLC, demonstrated low-cost activities made from paper, glue and common classroom items that teach vocabulary and basic math while encouraging creativity. Cheryl Miller from OEC's fiscal division emphasized budgeting and pointed attendees toward subsidized or town-run programs that can reduce parental costs.

State parks and outdoor options: Mason Trumbull, deputy commissioner at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, highlighted Connecticut's outdoor offerings and tools to find them. He said the state has about 142 parks and described a "passport to parks" program funded through vehicle registration (noted in the webinar as about $8 per year) that lets in‑state visitors enter most parks without paying daily fees. Trumbull also described the CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resource Education) program and other park-based events that provide free gear and instruction.

Numbers cited in the webinar: Trumbull reported roughly 17,000,000 state-park visitors last year, up from about 11,000,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic — a rise the webinar tied to increased demand for outdoor, low-cost recreation.

Takeaway: Speakers emphasized that meaningful, developmentally rich experiences do not require high expense. The program closed with a reminder to plan ahead, use local libraries and parks, and focus on being present with children rather than buying activities.

Next steps: The Office of Early Childhood indicated a more extensive list of recommended activities and resources will be posted on its website; the webinar host closed by thanking panelists, interpreters and attendees and noting future webinars.

Provenance: This article summarizes material presented across the Office of Early Childhood webinar beginning with the program announcement and welcome and concluding with the webinar close (topic first introduced at SEG 023 and last covered at SEG 2334).