PARENTING NETWORK OF CHARLOTTESVILLE (PNOC)
Parenting Network of Charlottesville.
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. 

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. 

FAMILIES UNITED THROUGH ADOPTION
For more info call: 923-8253. 

KIDS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
A Yahoo Group for local parents of kids with Down syndrome to connect. Go to yahoogroups.com, then search on dspconnect.

Third Tuesday of every month

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

BLUE RIDGE AREA NETWORK FOR CONGENIAL HOMESCHOOLERS (BRANCH)
Rt. 3 Box 602, Afton, VA 22920 For more info call: (703) 456-9822. 

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.

LOUISA AREA CHRIST-CENTERED HOME EDUCATORS
For more info call: (540)894-5225. 

LOUISA HOME SCHOOL FRIENDS
For more info call: (540)894-0647. 

Ongoing

ORGANIZATION OF VIRGINIA HOMESCHOOLERS
Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers.
A listing of homeschooling groups and networks in Virginia. All ages welcome.  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. 

Tuesdays

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. 

First Saturday of every month

HOME SCHOOL DAYS AT THE FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM
Frontier Culture Museum.
Special programs for homeschoolers, in groups or family units. Frontier Culture Museum.  Directions: 1290 Richmond Rd, Staunton, VA 24401 Off I-81 North near intersection of I-64 in Staunton.  9am.  All ages welcome.  Contact: Larry Sabourin.  Email: larry.sabourin@fcmv.virginia.gov. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 540-332-7850. 

H.O.M.E. MOMS GROUP
H.O.M.E. Moms Group.
We are a group of moms in Fluvanna County, Western Louisa County VA. and surrounding areas (formerly Moms Club of Troy) that meet to share ideas and support one another in the art of motherhood. We offer at home mothers friendship and support through lots of fun activities like playgroups, arts and crafts, monthly meetings, service projects,book club and MOMS night out. Children are ALWAYS welcome at all of our activities!! Call for location and times.  All ages welcome.  Contact: Rachel Jones.  Email: home.club@yahoo.com.

Ongoing

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. 

Ongoing, 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month

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. 

First Saturday of every month

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. 

Every first Sunday of the month

ELA NA PAIXOUME! THE GREEK READING AND PLAYGROUP
This group meets every first Sunday of the month. Parents take turns reading books in modern Greek, and we play traditional games and hang out! Prior exposure to Greek language would help (there is no language instruction). The current group focuses on ages 3-7. 3-4pm.  $Free.  Recommended for ages 3 to 7.  Contact: N Hild.  Email: n@hild.org. Reservations are required.  For more info call: N/A. 

Ongoing, Wednesdays

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. 

starting February 13, Tuesday and ongoing 2nd Tuesdays of each month.

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. 

on-going

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. 

Mondays

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.  9:30-11:30am, Open Gym closed from Memorial Day - Labor Day.  $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. 

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. 

CANDLELIGHTERS
Support group for families of children with cancer. For more info call: 296-4967. 

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. Go to yahoogroups.com, then search on SpecialNeedsKidsOfCharlottesville.

First Saturday of every month

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.