Welcome. Please note that although families can rest assured that all posted listings are reviewed by our staff for appropriate content, we cannot verify all information contained in a given entry.
SINGLE MOTHER'S NETWORK
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Do you feel isolated as a single mom? Overwhelmed with legal, financial, Housing and insurance needs? Want to share your concerns about child-rearing and childcare? Want support and companionship from other single moms?
Do you need support, encouragement, and information? Find the Support You Need
953 Second Street, SE Charlottesville, VA.
6 to 7:30pm.
$Donations are accepted to cover costs.
Special Needs Accommodation: Babysitting provided
Contact: Dr. Robin Eliason.
Reservations are required.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 293-2222 ext. 27.
HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK
Holistic Moms Network. This new chapter is a growing group of holistic moms and dads from throughout the Charlottesville Area. It welcomes all area moms (and dads) with an interest in natural health and mindful parenting. The goal is to develop a thriving local community of holistic parents with a wide range of interests. Grandparents, partners, and other caregivers are also welcome as members into the organization! Even future parents will find that the organization is a great place to learn and make new friends! Moms-to-be and new moms are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and seek to be informed.
BODY*MIND*SPIRIT.
Directions: 923 Preston Avenue #D.
7:30pm.
$free.
All ages welcome.
Contact: Karen Beauford.
For details, please click this link.
PARENTING NETWORK OF CHARLOTTESVILLE (PNOC) PNOC: Parenting Network of Charlottesville, serves parents with children of all ages in the greater Charlottesville area as a networking and discussion forum. PNOC is a place to exchange ideas and information, and to network about activities and resources. All topics related to parenting are open for discussion.
All ages welcome.
For details, please click this link.
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA Offers something for everyone, including Waiting For all families touched by adoption: Families Meetings, Educational Programs, Social Events, a Newsletter, and a Membership Directory.
PO Box 4820, Charlottesville,
Email: MeWeek@aol.com.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 220-1881.
CHARLOTTESVILLE FAMILY BIKE AND HIKE CLUB
Charlottesville Family Bike Club. The Family Bike and Hike Club organizes family rides and hikes in Charlottesville and seasonal day trips on bike trails in and around central Virginia and Washington, D.C.(Monuments, Rock Creek Park/Zoo, Potomac River/Mt. Vernon, C&O Canal, etc.)
All ages welcome.
Contact: Taylor Bowen.
Email: taylor@cvillefamilybikeclub.org.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 293-8190.
CVILLE WORKING MOMS Cville Working Moms is a group for Charlottesville area women who are juggling the art of parenting with the work of earning a paycheck. Gatherings include a monthly lunch on a weekday, a playdate with children and partners/spouses (if applicable) on a Saturday each month, and we'll plan some evening Mom's Nights Out.
For details, please click this link.
SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS OF C'VILLE GROUP This group was created for parents of special needs kids in the Charlottesville and surrounding areas to network with other parents, and find resources to benefit our special kids. Topics of interest can include education, childcare, healthcare, fun, vacationing, support, and all that pertains to the unique challenges and joys of raising children with special needs in our area. Professionals and parents alike are welcome to join our group with the objective of helping others (and ourselves) in the journey of parenting and beyond. All members wishing to join, please tell us about yourself and why you'd like to be a part of our group. Please introduce yourself when you become a member! All new members will be on moderation for a temporary period, in order to deter spamers only. Opinions and experiences welcome, but no flaming will be tolerated on the list, or moderated status will be given, without notice.
Email: newforestfarm@mindspring.com.
For details, please click this link.
COMMISSION ON CHILDREN & FAMILIES CCF is a 22-member planning and advisory body to the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle. Citizen, community agency, local government, education, and university leaders work to improve outcomes for local children and families.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 970-3550.
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER Serves families of children in special education in Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson Counties. The PRC operates on the philosophy that parents are a valuable resource in planning the education of their special child. Consulting, groups, classes, lending library, and more.
225 Lambs Lane.
Email: sblech@albemarle.org.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 975-9400.
PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN Provides families of young children information about healthy development, family life, and available community resources. It is a partnership of many community organizations invested in making Charlottesville/Albemarle a healthy community for all families with young children.
The Glass Building.
For more info call: 220-KIDS.
STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN
Students With Children. Network with other parents who're also attending the University of Virginia. Organized by the Office of the Dean of Students. Call for location and
times.
Call for location and times.
Email: studentswithchildren@virginia.edu.
THE PARENT CENTER Supports parents in helping their children learn by providing workshops, consultations and ongoing school community partnerships in Charlottesville, Albemarle and Fluvanna.
The Glass Building.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 817-1234.
UNITED WAY INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER United Way provides free, confidential information and referrals to over 2000 local health and human service programs, including resources on child care, children's health insurance, food, health care, housing, support groups and other organizations.
806 East High St.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 972-1703.
HOME SCHOOL MONDAYS: HELICOPTERS
Virginia Aviation Museum. Come out to the museum for this program designed specifically for home schools.
Virginia Aviation Museum.
Directions: 5701 Huntsman Road, Richmond, VA.
9:30 and 11am and 11am to 12:30pm.
$1 plus admission.
All ages welcome.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 804-236-3622.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY HOMESCHOOLERS NETWORK
Silvia Barrett. Open to all homeschoolers (and those considering homeschooling) in Albemarle county and the surrounding area, regardless of whatever other groups they are involved with. The idea is to have one central list that would allow members to invite people to join them for park days and craft times, list local community activities, form play and study groups and announce VHEA (Virginia Home Education Association) seminars or other information important to homeschoolers.
All ages welcome.
For details, please click this link.
C.H.A.N.C.E. (CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOLERS AIMING TO NURTURE CHARACTER & EXCELLENCE) A homeschool co-op in Louisa County offering K-12 classes. The group is modeled after a successful co-op in Pennsylvania, and the focus of the group will be what the name implies: mothers coming together to aid one another in character and academic excellence for their children.
Contact: Denise Dovel.
Email: denisedovel@softhome.net.
HOMEINSTEADERS
HomeInsteaders. HomeInsteaders is a homeschooling group that meets in Greene, Madison, Louisa, and Orange County, Virginia (rotating). We are open to all religious paths and homeschooling styles.
All ages welcome.
Contact: Bobbi Collyer.
Email: bobbi@virginia.edu.
For details, please click this link.
REACH HOMESCHOOL GROUP A large group that offers many educational, fun, and meaningful fieldtrips, workshops, seminars, meetings, and recreational events for students of all ages. Provides many opportunities for the homeschoolers in the community. Serves the areas of Fredericksburg, Orange, Culpeper, Madison, Greene, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and surrounding areas.
Contact: Wanda.
Email: sloper4@adelphia.net.
VALLEY HOMESCHOOLERS Valley Homeschoolers is open to all homeschoolers and unschoolers in Waynesboro, Staunton, Crozet, Afton and the surrounding area. Make new friends, join or form playgroups, game days, or study groups, and
have questions about homeschooling in Virginia answered. Join online! To subscribe, send a message to: valleyhomeschoolers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
For details, please click this link.
WALDORF INSPIRED SCHOOLING AT HOME (WISH)
WISH. A group of families from Charlottesville and nearby counties interested in Waldorf-inspired school at home.
All ages welcome.
For details, please click this link.
MOMS CLUB OF CHARLOTTESVILLE - SOUTH
MOMS Club of Charlottesville - South. The Charlottesville MOMS Club is an activity and support group for at-home
moms. Please contact one of the membership people listed below for a
calendar of our daily activities. Activities include monthly meetings,
speakers, playgroups, park days, crafts, outings, MOM's night out, and much
more. All moms are welcome! There are 2 chapters in C'ville. For those
living North of Barracks Rd or the 250 bypass, email: Karen at
momsclubnorth@usnetizen.com. For those living South of Barracks or the 250 bypass, email: Lisa at cvillemoms@gmail.com
Meets weekly, call for day and time.
For details, please click this link.
MOMS CLUB OF TROY
MOMS Club of Troy. The MOMS Club of Troy is a newly formed chapter of the international MOMS Club (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) and is open to all moms in the Troy area, including Lake Monticello, Palmyra, Zion Crossroads and Bybee. Offers at home mothers friendship and support through lots of fun activities like playgroups, cooking co-ops, arts and crafts, monthly meetings, meaningful service projects and MOMS night out. Children are ALWAYS welcome at all of our activities!!
Call for location and times.
All ages welcome.
Contact: Amy.
Email: momscluboftroyva@earthlink.net.
For more info call: 434-293-9052.
MOPS, MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS
Crozet United Methodist Church. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, a dynamic program designed to nurture mothers with children from infancy through kindergarten. MOPS is a relevant and caring network, making moms better moms through trusted resources and relationships. Feel free to drop by or call with any questions.
Crozet United Methodist Church.
Directions: From I-64 take exit 107. Go east on Rte.250 and take a left at the traffic light onto Crozet Ave. After approximately 1 mile the church is on the left at the corner of Crozet Ave and Jarmans Gap Rd.
7 to 9pm.
$7; First Meeting Free.
All ages welcome.
Contact: Cheryl Carroll.
Email: gardenof5@adelphia.net.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 823-8223.
WELCOME TO MOTHERHOOD
Martha Jefferson Hospital. Share the ups and downs of this challenging time. Plan to bring your baby and relax with new friends who understand what being a new mother is really all about.
The Anne Cary House.
Directions: 419 Lexington Avenue, Charlottesville, VA.
10:30am to 12pm.
$free.
Reservations are required.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 982-7009.
KIDSITTING Need some time off to catch up on some errands or go out to dinner? Do you have a plan for when the kids are off from school? A few businesses around town offer extra special child care/recreation programs for just such occasions.
All ages welcome.
Reservations are required.
For details, please click this link.
TAKE A BREAK SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE PROGRAM
Spring Hill Baptist Church. Themed Fun Night for elementary school-aged children with special needs and their siblings... choice of games, crafts, pizza, movies, worship, quiet time, and more!
Parents can "take a break" for a night out while the children have a great time. Each child will be paired with a buddy and a nurse will be on-site. Pre-registration 2 weeks in advance.
Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Directions: Route 29 North to 2620 Frays Mill Road.
4pm to 7pm.
$Free.
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.
Contact: Mary Buckner.
Email: mary@springhillbaptist.org.
Reservations are required.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 974-shbc.
GERMAN PLAYGROUP Instructor is a native speaker with extensive experience teaching young children. The kids learn through fun activities such as games, crafts, and songs.
Call for location and times.
$free.
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Contact: Monique VanLandingham or Wendi Rushmann.
Email: moniquevanl@hotmail.com.
Reservations are required.
For more info call: 295-4027.
MOMS AND DADS WITH TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS PLAYGROUP
Rebecca Perini. Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers! Bring your Moms or Dads to a new Charlottesville playgroup -- the second Tuesday of each month, beginning Tuesday, February 13, at 9:30am. Active, safe, fun and inexpensive are the goals of this playgroup! Moms and Dads get to enjoy interesting company while our children get to do the same! Meet other moms and dads while children play at local parks and playgrounds, read in the libraries, and socialize with each other at Cville Coffee or the Discovery Museum. Hope to see you there!
First playgroup meeting - McGuffey Park near Downtown Mall.
Directions: McGuffey Park is 2 blocks north of the Downtown Mall, sitting just above the McGuffey Arts Center.
9:30am.
Recommended for ages 0 to 6.
Contact: Rebecca Perini.
Email: rperini@adelphia.net.
For more info call: 242-0767.
NEW PLAY GROUP WITH THE GREEN PARENTING MOBILE
Children, Youth, and Family Services. CYFS new Parent Educator, Cynthia Fischer, is a trained Educator in Montessori principles. She will be providing opportunities for parents to bring their children aged 0-6 to play and to be supported in understanding child-development. The play groups will be held at the following two locations:
West Haven Community Center---Mondays from 11:15am-1:15pm
Blue Ridge Commons---Mondays from 3-5pm
Contact: Cynthia Jordan Fisher.
Email: cjfmoms@yahoo.com.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 296-4118.
OPEN GYM AT ALBEMARLE THERAPY CENTER
Albemarle Therapy Center. Parents and kids play at an indoor playground complete with slide, ball pool, climbing structures, swings, etc. Meet other parents and children. For ages 0 to 4.
Albemarle Therapy Center .
Directions: 1102 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA.
9:30am to 11am.
$3/ adults free.
Contact: Molly Zarski.
Email: AlbemarleTherapy@Embarqmail.com.
For more info call: 979-8628.
PARENTING MOBILE PLAYGROUPS
CYFS. Children from birth to 6 years with their parents or caregiver: Come Play! Each week explore all of the many toys the Parenting Mobile has to offer: baby toys galore, shape sorters, puzzles, blocks, trains, scooters and more!
Westhaven Nursing Clinic Lawn (Wednesdays) Blue Ridge Commons Playground (Thursdays).
1:45 to 3:15pm Wed, 11:45am to 1:15pm Thurs.
$free.
Contact: Cynthia Jordan Fisher.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 296-4118.
PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP FOR CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES
Charlottesville Parks and Recreation. City of Charlottesville Parks and Rec Department is hosting a playgroup for children up to 5 years old with & without disabilities and their parents.
Carver Recreation Center.
Directions: On 4th street connected to the Jefferson School (off of Preston or Main street.).
10 to 11:30am.
$free.
Contact: Wandae Johnson-Williams.
Email: johnsonw@charlottesville.org.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 970-3269.
SPANISH-SPEAKING PLAYGROUP ¡Reunámonos para jugar y charlar en español! Spanish-speaking stay at home Moms and/or Dads and their children are invited to join us for a playgroup where we will spend our time speaking and playing in Spanish. Levels of Spanish range from beginner to native. Location and time vary each week.
Contact: Joanne Funk.
Email: hamandfor@yahoo.com.
TODDLER PLAYGROUP A new Charlottesville toddler playgroup with learning and fun in mind while mom's and dad's can develop new friendships. To join or find out more about this fun new playgroup visit meetup.com and search for "Cville Toddler Weekend Playgroup" or go to playgroup.meetup.com/1176 For age group 18 months - 4 years old, and siblings are welcome to the meetups too.
Contact: Gisela Swift.
Email: gisela@picantecreative.com.
AREA 3 SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Special Olympics. Area 3 Special Olympics offers sports activities throughout the calendar year,
including basketball, soccer, bowling, swimming, skiing, gymnastics, track and
field, tennis, volleyball and golf. Their goal is to provide children and adults with special needs an opportunity to participate, train, and compete in sports events in order to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience the joy that comes with involvement in community sports.
Contact: Gene Arnold.
Email: genearnold@comcast.net.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 973-3185.
BRIGHT STARS FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM Provides early learning experiences and comprehensive social supports for students and families that address risk factors that can lead to early academic failure. The schools hosting a Bright Stars Program are Agnor-Hurt, Cale, Greer, Scottsville and Stone-Robinson.
For more info call: 972-4140.
SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS OF CHARLOTTESVILLE This group is for parents, family members, friends, loved ones, and professionals of kids with special needs in the Charlottesville and surrounding areas. The group welcomes all who are interested in networking with other parents for information, resources, and those who wish to support other families with children who have special needs. Albemarle, Fluvanna, Green, Louisa, Nelson, Augusta, Orange, Madison, and other surrounding counties are all welcome.
For details, please click this link.
TAKE A BREAK SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE PROGRAM
Spring Hill Baptist Church. Themed Fun Night for elementary school-aged children with special needs and their siblings... choice of games, crafts, pizza, movies, worship, quiet time, and more!
Parents can "take a break" for a night out while the children have a great time. Each child will be paired with a buddy and a nurse will be on-site. Pre-registration 2 weeks in advance.
Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Directions: Route 29 North to 2620 Frays Mill Road.
4pm to 7pm.
$Free.
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.
Contact: Mary Buckner.
Email: mary@springhillbaptist.org.
Reservations are required.
For details, please click this link.
For more info call: 974-shbc.
Please use the information we've gathered here as a "spring board" for your research and interiew each business or organization to make sure that itπs safe and that it is a good fit for your family. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with your doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information of question. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Albemarle Kid Productions, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors.
