The Kiwanis Club of Boulder, a member of Kiwanis International, is a volunteer organization focusing on the needs of children and is dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

 

On March 7, 2001, the Colorado State Legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 01-015, resolving that on the first week in March and thereafter, “each adult citizen of Colorado is encouraged to set aside a special time to support, embrace, and listen to a child of Colorado.” The idea behind Colorado Children’s Day in Boulder came as a result of a Kiwanis review of the program presented by Loveland Kiwanian Anne Hall, who had a long time dream to celebrate children at a special event. Annie and the City of Loveland have been celebrating Colorado Children’s Day at Loveland since 2002. Ms. Hall is currently working to try and make Children’s Day a nationally recognized holiday.

 

In August of 2006, the Kiwanis Club of Boulder invited the City of Boulder, the Boulder Valley School District administration and Boulder business and community organizations to review the Loveland program. Representatives agreed to seek a partnership in organizing a program in Boulder. As such, the Kiwanis Club of Boulder invested in coordinating a Colorado Children’s Day Celebration in the city of Boulder. In September of 2006 a Children’s Day Steering Committee was formed with volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Boulder, City of Boulder Children Youth and Families, Parks and Recreation, Boulder Valley School District, Boulder Valley Christian Church, Boulder Downtown Management Commission, Boulder Daily Camera and Boulder Events Company.

 

The major theme of the event was to “Reflect on the value that children bring to our lives and our future. Celebrate their accomplishments and nourish them in their quest to learn.”

 

The following goals where established:

• To recognize and award children with a free fun community day.

• To focus and educate the public on Boulder community children’s activities, resources, facilities, organizations, and business support systems.

 

In October of 2006, the City of Boulder City Manager’s office endorsed the program and partnered with the Boulder Valley School District and the sponsoring Kiwanis Club.

 

Organizers envisioned a “low key” free activities fun day for Boulder youth. Youth-focused city agencies, community agencies, organizations, service groups and businesses were encouraged to participate in a fun way to engage with children and families in our community.

 

The first Children’s Day at Boulder was celebrated on April 20, 2007, on the 1300 block of downtown Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. The attendance far exceeded expectations and the feedback from participating organizations and the public was very positive.

 

As a result of this first success, the organizers enthusiastically moved forward with plans for the second Children’s Day which was even more successful than the first. The 5th annual Children's Day is being planned for Friday, April 29, 2011 from 12-4pm with activities once again being centered around the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.