Great Gatherings

Make meaningful connections and raise money to support our school community.

What are Great Gatherings?

Group activities for adults, families or children that allow Northern Lights families to meet, connect, and foster community in a social setting outside of school.
Families donate (pay for), plan, and host the gatherings. Then others buy tickets to the gatherings.
Gatherings can be hosted by one or multiple individuals.

When and Where?

We will announce the gatherings and kick-off sign-ups on September 26 at Harvest Fest. Sign-ups will continue throughout that next week, ending October 6.

For any gatherings where there is more demand than space available, we will draw names to determine who gets a spot and announce those winners on October 13.

Following that, hosts will reach out to the people who signed up for their gatherings

Hosting a Great Gathering

HOST A GATHERING

Fill out this form by September 21 to host a gathering! Host as many gatherings as you would like -- fill out a form for each event!

How to host?

This is your opportunity to host a fun group gathering, where you can share your expertise or interests with our community. It can be a small or large group, with or without children, cost a little or cost a lot, and can take place just about anywhere – at home, in a park, or on a bike.

Examples of Great Gatherings include family events like pancakes in the park, walking tours, backyard movies, or puzzle and game nights; grown-up-only events like a cooking lesson, themed dinners, a yoga class, or a workshop; student-only events like a pizza party or craft night. Host by yourself, or co-host with a friend or two! Any opportunity to get together can be a Great Gathering. Think of some ways you like to spend your time and invite others to join you!

Great Gatherings can be offered between October 16 and August 2026. With no school on October 16, 17, and 20 - it's the perfect opportunity to kick things off with a fun event!

All proceeds raised from hosted events will go to the Parent & Family Group, which works to enrich our school experience for families and staff at Northern Lights.

What Do I Need to Know Now, and What Can I Figure Out Later?

Planning a Great Gathering doesn’t mean you need every little detail worked out right away. To get your event on the calendar, we just need the essentials:

✅ Event Name
✅ Location
✅ Date (and a backup date, if applicable)
✅ Time
✅ Age Group (Who’s it for?)
✅ Maximum Number of Guests
✅ Ticket Price
✅ Event Description
✅ Photo (optional but encouraged!)

That’s it for now! Once your event is submitted, you’ll have plenty of time to fine-tune the details, add special touches, and make it your own. Think of this as your “save the date”—the rest can come later.

More Examples!

Here are a few of the events offered last year:

You Can Knit a Scarf!
Host: Jessica Clifton
When & Where: TBD
Age group: All ages!
Maximum # of people: 6
Ticket price: $20

Description: I’ll provide everyone with knitting needles, two skeins of yarn, a pattern, and individualized instruction so you can knit a scarf of your own. No experience necessary! You won’t be able to finish the scarf while we’re together, but you’ll be well on your way, and I’ll be available to help you troubleshoot as you work on it on your own. If you already know how to knit, you can sit back and knit and chat. If you’ve never knit before and feel anxious about it, I will meet you where you’re at and help you get started.

Kicksledding Adventure at Crosby Farm
Host: Melisa Christensen, Northern Lights Studio Teacher
When & Where: Crosby Farm
Age group: Age 2+
Maximum # of people: 7
Ticket price: $100, Kids 6 and under free.

Description: Cruise winter trails on a traditional Scandinavian kicksled! If you have never tried kicksledding, here is your chance!

We will spend 2 hours gearing up and touring the snow packed trails along the Mississippi River at Crosby Farm. We will glide at your pace. We can go as far as you like and stop as often as you want!

Kicksledding is enjoyed by all ages. Children ages 2-6 can ride on the seat and be pushed. Kicksleds are equipped with safety brackets for child riders 6 and under. Adults and older children can power their own kicksled. Both adult and child sized kicksleds are available.

Included in the event is the set up and use of a kicksled, and all kicksledding accessories including crampons, and child brackets.

Spread Joy to Trans Folks for Transgender Day of Visibility
Hosts: Vivian & Victoria Stroh
When & Where: Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 2pm - 5pm (arrive anytime before 4pm!) St. Paul SkyRec Makers Room
Age group: All ages!
Maximum # of people: 75
Ticket price: $7 + $3

Description: Come join us in making cards and spreading #TransJoy for Transgender Day of Visibility! We are partnering with Point of Pride to make cards to include in packages with gender affirming shapeware/binders headed out to trans folks in need. Arrive anytime between 2pm-4pm and stay as long as you’d like! We will provide all the supplies you need (and an appropriate playlist of background music for inspiration!) to make cards. All cards made will be collected and the Strohs will package and send them to Point of Pride.

The fee for this event includes the $7 ticket fee paid in advance to NLPFG and we are also suggesting a $3 donation per registrant be collected at the time of card making (cash/PayPal/Venmo) to Point of Pride to assist in the cost of shipping out the garments. For more information about Point of Pride, check them out at https://www.pointofpride.org.

Please note that SkyRec is in a secured building and there are no food or beverages allowed. We will have bottled water available. There is street parking available at no charge on Sundays.

Attend a Great Gathering

How to attend?

Sign up for gatherings begins on October 9th and ends on October 13. Winners will be notified by October 16 (drawings will happen for gatherings with more sign-ups than spots)!

Attendees will pay for their gatherings as donations to the Parent & Family Group, and then hosts will begin reaching out to the winners and gatherings will begin!

Questions? Please contact pfg@schoolofnorthernlights.org!

EVENTS

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