Fellowship Newsletter 2022

Jasmin Norford

Jumpstart New York

I started the first year of my fellowship in September, a few months after the rest of the cohort began. Nonetheless, I was welcomed with significant support from fellows and my team at Jumpstart. I moved to New York to begin my fellowship in August and was immediately greeted by many in Jumpstart’s community and FAO alumnus here in the city. Since beginning in the fall, I have enjoyed engaging with New York children and families hosting literacy celebrations, conducting parent workshops to build family literacy skills, and working with Jumpstart’s Policy and Government Relations team to build strategies for addressing inequitable discipline in early education. I have also been involved in several parts of the Jumpstart’s community beyond my special project and direct service work including the organization’s Black affinity community, and working in a curriculum development workgroup, which brings together staff from different program departments to assess potential additions to Jumpstart’s cirriculum to create a more diverse, inclusive and community focused core program. In my few short months of work, I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to advocate for children and the early education sector at such a critical precipice in the national childcare crisis.

Kendyl Boyd

Barnes Foundation

I joined Community Engagement and Family Programs at the Barnes Foundation in June 2021. While the ongoing pandemic has meant for some delays and setbacks in programming, I have had the pleasure of introducing and co-teaching an afterschool program at one of the local Philadelphia schools. In 2022, I look forward to connecting more with our greater Philadelphia communities and audiences!

Kira Azulay

Museum of Science

During my time with the Museum of Science, I have learned so much. I moved from Austin, Texas to Boston in June of 2021 and began working in person almost immediately. The Youth Programs staff here has been incredibly supportive in helping me navigate the transition from online student to safely working in person full time at a hands-on, engaging, and interactive museum. I’ve led interns on field trips around Boston, explored engineering design challenges, and visited community vaccine clinics with the outreach team. The most exciting update at the moment is that I will perform my first Live Animal Show for visitors this week! Using a snake that lives here at the Museum as an ambassador animal, I created a show about adaptations and snake survival. My test run for the Education team was February 1st and I was approved, the culmination of 5 months of training and work. I am so excited to be working alongside amazing educators at a Museum I have remembered fondly since childhood.

Nia Atkins

Year Up New York

Since starting at Year Up almost eight months ago, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. I’ve planned the 2022 programmatic calendar, prepared and executed two data-oriented events for all Year Up New York staff, served as a coach for a group of students in Year Up’s Career Immersion Program, and supported with the matching of Year Up participants to internships. I’m looking forward to working with my supervisor to design a new project around further collection of student satisfaction data.

Ryan Telingator

Jumpstart Boston

I began my fellowship at Jumpstart in early September. Over the past few months, I have gone into preschool classrooms to administer literacy tests (and play on see-saws), helped organize volunteer events on Jumpstart-affiliated college campuses, conducted policy research on various early-education priorities, and testified in front of the Massachusetts Legislature in support of reforming exclusionary discipline policies for preschoolers. I am grateful to be a part of a fellowship where I can learn so much so quickly and have amazing responsibilities so soon after graduating. Working alongside Jasmin has also been a pleasure; we collaborate on multiple projects and she has been an amazing resource and grounding force as I navigate the post-grad transition. I look forward to our (hopefully) in-person retreat in May, and am excited to see what the next two years hold.

Charlotte Blackman

Museum of the City of New York

In the second year of my fellowship, I’ve been excited to create and coordinate both in-person and virtual programming for students, teachers, and families to accompany the Museum’s Puppets of New York exhibition.
As an artist, it has been transformative to have the opportunity to examine the depth in possibility of this artform–as a tool for political statement, cultural preservation and celebration, community building, paying homage, the list goes on. In turn, sharing these discoveries with our audience has been a heartfelt endeavor. Two notable successes were creating a series of free virtual workshops for K-5 students on the exhibition which served over 4,000 students and teachers, and collaborating with Joanna Steinberg ’08 to coordinate free outdoor puppet performances for families in the fall—the first onsite family programs since the pandemic started.

Abi Mlo

Trust for Public Land

It’s hard to  believe I have only a few months left as a fellow at The Trust for Public Land. Since starting, I’ve worked with two schools to design their schoolyards and worked with several others to increase stewardship and accessibility of their schoolyards. Heat Response: Creative Action for Philly’s Rising Temperatures has picked up a lot of momentum in the last year. We’ve reached several hundred residents through park clean-ups, gardening workshops, mural workshops, coloring book distributions, and more. I plan to stay in Philly after the completion of my fellowship, continuing my work in social impact.

Adriana Moran Garcia

Mural Arts Philadelphia

I’ve completed my project management project on the Yes Fund, managing 8 mini-projects over the past 6 months with community leaders in Kensington. I will be managing more community-led projects in June working with Land-focused movement leaders in Lenapehoking.

Clara Monk

Reading Partners

I am finishing my second year as a fellow at Reading Partners New York. This year, I’ve focused on partnership management and building some of our data systems and protocols. I have also enjoyed managing an intern and a staff member and working collaboratively on improving our onboarding processes and supporting volunteers.

Serena Salgado

Breakthrough Greater Boston

After the Fellowship, I will be joining The Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit consulting firm, as an associate consultant in New York City.  My experiences as an FAO Schwarz Fellow were instrumental in my being able to land this job. Learning about the range of nonprofits that others in my Fellowship cohort worked in allowed me to look beyond my organization and at the needs of the social impact sector as a whole.

Marielena Fernandez

DREAM

Mari is the Youth Development Specialist at DREAM. 

Emily Hynes

Year Up New York

In September 2021, I started a full-time role with Year Up as an Operations Specialist.

Meredith Jones

Jumpstart

Since August, I have been working at Literacy Inc. in NYC as the City’s First Readers Manager. CFR is a City Council-funded early literacy initiative composed of several nonprofit organizations and all three library systems, with Literacy Inc. as the facilitating organization. 

Angela Ortiz

Generation Citizen

I’m working at the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (on Harvard’s campus) as Assistant to the Director. Using my benefits, I’m hoping to get a Masters during my time at the university. 

Taylor Reese

Year Up Philadelphia

After the completion of my Fellowship in June, I was hired on full-time with Year Up as a Marketing Specialist, focusing on our brand. After some turnover and increased responsibilities, I was promoted to Brand Marketing Manager in August. I have done a lot of work towards our future rebranding efforts, as well as supporting our new, innovative programs across the country. I recently accepted an offer to join Saxbys, a Philadelphia coffee company & B Corp, where I’ll be doing the Founder & CEO’s communications, as well as figuring out how to tell their impact story. While it’s bittersweet to leave Year Up, my first job out of college, and an organization that deeply believed in me and my potential, I’m really excited for the next adventure and challenge with Saxbys.

Erika Apupalo

Reading Partners

I started a new role at Virtual Enterprises International, a non-profit that serves middle and high school students in building skills in entrepreneurship. As an alum of the program, I was excited to be part of a great team and support students

.

Lauren Hurley

Breakthrough Greater

Boston

This summer I moved back to my hometown, Chicago! I’m now a Program Manager at iMentor, a nonprofit focused on 1:1 mentoring of high school students to support them in their post-secondary planning. I’m really enjoying being school-based and have loved getting to know my new students. Outside of work, it’s great to be back in the Midwest and closer to family and friends! 

Joyce Kim

uAspire

I started a new job at Mathematica as a Research Associate in the Human Services division last spring, and have been working on an array of projects spanning nutrition, education, child welfare, and employment. My time at uAspire and in the Fellowship prepared me well to juggle so many different tasks and project teams in this role! 

Nick Mitch

Riverkeeper

I’ll graduate from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design with my Master in Urban Planning in May. I’ll be working as a Resilience Planner at Arcadis after graduation, helping communities prepare for climate change and improve their quality of life. 

Annie Want

The Food Trust

Annie is in her second year of a two-year Master’s Program in social work at Smith College.

Molly Blake

Playworks New England

Molly is the Sales Team Lead at Panorama Education in Boston.  Molly wrote that “Education has been my passion. At Panorama, we are supporting students’ social and emotional wellbeing and it is beyond impactful.”

Kayla Jones

Jumpstart

I’m currently pursuing an MDiv/MBA from Emory’s Candler School of Theology and Goizueta Business School, respectively, and will graduate in December. I’m also completing a fellowship with the Georgia Social Impact Collaborative and GoATL Fund. I hope to pursue corporate social responsibility roles upon graduation.

Jaiwantie Manni

Museum of the City of New York

Jai is a high school science teacher at the NYC Department of Education.  Jai started this role in September 2021 after completing graduate school at the American Museum of Natural History and teaching high school Earth Science for a year at Broome Street Academy.

Pamela Martinez

Playworks Philadelphia

Throughout the summer I was promoted to Program Manager for the Americorps Members here at Playworks PA. I manage 9 members and am an Americorps Alumni myself and now entering my 7th year at Playworks, I am excited to share my experience and bring my skills and knowledge to lead a team of my own.

Samantha Perlman

Generation Citizen

This year, I started law school at Boston College Law School and I am also pursuing a dual degree in partnership with Tufts University in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. In November, I was re-elected to my second term on the Marlborough City Council where I continue to advocate for my community.

Allie Negron

uAspire

During the summer of 2021 I moved to NYC and this past November, I started as a Digital Production Strategist at MissionWired. In my role, I build and deploy emails and analyze data to enable our nonprofit and Democratic political clients to achieve and exceed their fundraising goals.

Claudia von Nostitz

Reading Partners

I am in my fourth year teaching preschool at the Washington Market School, a private school in Lower Manhattan. I also am in graduate school for a Master’s in elementary and special education at Hunter College. In personal news, I recently adopted a kitten! In my free time, I enjoy yoga and biking. 

Karen Wilber

uAspire

Over the summer I started a new position at uAspire as Director of Data & Impact, which has been a great learning opportunity for me. Personally, I’ve started freelance food writing for Eater Boston which has been fun. I’m realizing it’s been more than 5 years now since I first moved to Boston and started working at uAspire – time is flying!

Ciara Williams

Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

I’m the Co-Executive Director at PLAN: The Post-Landfill Action Network – currently leading strategic planning process in collaboration with other CoED & the rest of the team, board, and advisers.

Jen Benson

Riverkeeper

In July 2021, I began a new role at Riverkeeper as the Upriver/Mohawk River Civics and Community Stewardship Coordinator after 6 years of managing the Riverkeeper Sweep and our volunteer programs. I now work specifically in the upper Hudson and Mohawk River watersheds advocating for the protection of waterways, drinking water, and communities.

This spring I am expected to complete my Masters of Environmental Policy at Bard College after studying there part-time the last three years. Outside of work and school, I’m continuing to live in a community house in Kingston, New York at the edge of Catskill Park.

Julia Fillman

Row New York

I continue to live in Philly and work as an Assistant Class Giving Director at the University of Pennsylvania, helping to fundraise for the undergraduate experience, as well as financial aid and scholarships. I’ll also be graduating from Penn this spring with a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership in the School of Social Policy and Practice. I’m looking forward to finally being done with homework and to hopefully using my regained free time to get more involved with volunteering in the city and reconnecting with the FAO Fellowship fam!

Khari Graves

The Food Trust

Khari is the Youth Counselor at the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, helping young people heal from trauma and developing strong tools to develop emotionally. 

Ellie Sanchez

Generation Citizen

The past year has been a whirlwind for many reasons. I graduated from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education last summer with my master’s in Education Policy and Management, and the day of my graduation I was offered a job at the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy. I am thrilled to be with an incredible team and have been working on school mental health, social-emotional learning, programs for students affected by inadequate housing, and so many other vital initiatives within the education section. In April of 2022, my puppy will turn 2 years old, and I will be a married woman. Yay!

Gabriella Gomez

 Breakthrough New York

Recently this past season I was promoted to Operations Manager at our SEO high school program. My focus this Spring season is to manage our on-site locations for over 700 New York City high school students. Outside of work you can find me challenging my fear of heights at our rock climbing gym, taking naps with my cat Kobe or cooking at home with Joe. 

Sarah Kacevich

Strong Women, Strong Girls

I just began my fifth year as Program Director with Farrington Nature Linc in the Boston area. I moved to Watertown, MA last spring and love the neighborhood. I’m also starting my seventh year with a volunteer hiking initiative to raise money for a local domestic violence shelter. I try to spend plenty of time visiting my parents who are newly on Cape Cod, and seeing my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews in New Hampshire. 

Margaret Kearney

Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

I am currently in the Philadelphia School District’s Teacher Residency program: I’m a full-time teacher and a full-time graduate student, pursuing my MA in Special Education at Temple University and working as a special education teacher at AMY Northwest Middle School in Northwest Philly. It’s a big change from my work as an artist but it’s been great so far! I live in Philadelphia with my partner, our two cats, and our wacky puppy. We’re getting married in June and looking forward to exploring national parks over the summer. 

Dawn Lavallee

Playworks Massachusetts

I’m thoroughly enjoying New Hampshire life with my husband and golden retriever – we even made our own maple syrup last year and plan to tap even more trees this year! On the professional front, it’s very exciting to be in a Partnerships Director role with Playworks now and continue to help schools rebuild relationships and community through play. It seems more important than ever as we continue to see the effects of the pandemic on our kids, and I love getting to talk to passionate educators every day about the incredible work they’re doing.

Joseph Rosales

Breakthrough New York

I am finishing up my third year as a Director of College Counseling at Student Leadership Network (SLN). For the first time since spring 2020, I have been working in-person at my school in LIC, Queens and assisting seniors with their college applications. Outside of work, I continue to boulder, cook, and enjoy life with Gaby Gomez ’16 and our cat Kobe.

Amy McDermott

Jumpstart

I am now well into my second program year working on The Valedictorian Project! We have our first two cohorts of mentees and mentors, and have been building our program out significantly. As we look ahead to launching our 2022 cohort, we will be expanding to new cities across Massachusetts! It has been so exciting and rewarding to work on a startup organization, and I am very grateful for my team.

Juliana Noone

Please Touch Museum

Jules is the Maintenance Coordinator at University City Housing. Jules wrote: “I am an advocate for learning through creativity and exploration. I have been an educator in gardens, museums, libraries and classrooms. I am back in school attending Orleans Technical College in the Building Maintenance Program, learning trades and craft.” 

Deshaun Parris

The Food Trust

Deshaun is the Study Manager for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE) at Merck and completed a Master in Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. 

Char Rendon

Row New York

Char is a small-business owner whose work draws from Queering Latinidad and Kimberle Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality. They promote custom apparel, accessories, Latinx Greek para, queer gear, and woodworking and post informative posts with an uplifting message. 

Shaina Spann

Jumpstart

Shaina is the Program Manager,  Student Academic Services & The Writing Center at American University in Washington, D.C. Shaina completed a Master of Arts – MA, International Training and Education in 2020 at American University.

Jonathan Baez

Breakthrough New York

In addition to being a counselor at a high school in the South Bronx, I also serve as a Board Chair for NFBLME (National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators), a program aimed at increasing the numbers of Black and Latino men in leadership positions. 

Katherine Evering-Rowe

The Food Project

Katherine, who completed her MSW at the University of Pennsylvania in 2019, is the Program Manager at The COVID Grief Network. The organization,  a fiscally-sponsored project of Reimagine, is run by a team of therapists, chaplains, and community organizers who saw an emerging need at the onset of the pandemic, and decided to launch a rapid response. 

Kayla (Peck) Hopgood

Strong Women, Strong Girls 

I continue to serve part-time as vicar at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and part-time as Director of Development at Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development. This year, I helped to build an interfaith memorial garden for perinatal loss called The Tree of Life Chapel. I’m amazed how this work continues to provide healing and consolation for the unspoken grief so many people have. I’ve got my hands full with a two-year-old toddler, a handful of chickens, and faith communities really seeking authentic ways to love one another and advocate for justice in our broken world. I find hope in the small ways we continue to show up for one another, even during a pandemic.

Michael McNeill-Martinez

Zumix

I moved last year to work at the International School of Belgrade, this is my 2nd year. 

Caroline Smith

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia

Caroline is in her seventh year of teaching at Charlestown, an open-enrollment Boston public school. Caroline teaches Humanities and ESL to newly-arrived English Language Learners in the 9th and 10th grade.

Louis Berman

Jumpstart New York

I am halfway through my sixth year as a lead teacher at Beauvoir in Washington, DC. I continue to love teaching Pre-K and feel so privileged and lucky to be able to guide students through in-person learning during this difficult time. My cat Tito and I recently moved into a new apartment in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC, and are both enjoying settling in and decorating our new home. 

Sara Wilson

Year Up

I am currently finishing up my master’s degree in cybersecurity. I recently got a job at a cybersecurity firm; I am enjoying the career transition into tech after years of working in higher education. In the coming months, I am preparing for a relocation to Atlanta. I’m looking forward to a fresh start in a new state! 

Greg Wright

The Food Trust

Greg is the Community Schools Coordinator for the Mayor’s office in Philadelphia. He also serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Norris Square Neighborhood Project, a youth serving organization with a focus on gardening, arts and culture. “I was first connected to this organization years ago as a FAO Schwarz Fellow at The Food Trust and I’m happy to serve as a board member today.”

Lauren Brincat

Museum of the City of New York

As curator of Preservation Long Island, I continue to work on a series of collaborative and community-based initiatives, such as the Jupiter Hammon Project, which focuses on the life and legacy of Jupiter Hammon, the first published Black American poet in North America, and the enduring legacy of Long Island’s history of enslavement.

Bridgit Paula Ganson

Wheelock College

Bridgit has established a private practice offering play and person-centered therapy, specifically for families and their young children. Bridgit has a 2.5 year old son Oliver and lives with her family in Toronto, Canada. 

Lakeisha Gerald

The Food Project 

I now work at an Attleboro Community Academy (ACA). ACA is an alternative diploma-bearing secondary school recognized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Through a competency-based curriculum, we meet the individual needs and interests of each of our students through flexible learning pathways, responsive teaching practices, and student support services. We focus on providing a small, welcoming environment and building healthy relationships while maintaining high academic standards and expectations. Our goal is to allow students to reach their unique potential as they prepare for their future.

Maley Mullin Parilla

Jumpstart

Maley works as a School Social Worker at the Carroll School in Waltham, MA.

Kerry Sorensen

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia

Kerry works as a College Advisor at the Mastery Charter School Shoemaker Campus in West Philadelphia. In this role, Kerry works with seniors and their families and advises them around their post-secondary plans. 

Ariana Dugan

Year Up

I joined Interplay Learning in April 2021 as VP of Product. It’s been humbling and rewarding to dive into a new technology (VR) in a new area (skilled trades) and see the impact the team here has on teaching people skills to be gainfully employed in HVAC, plumbing, and electric fields.

Mariah Peebles

Year Up

I am closing out my time as Managing Director of the AI Now Institute at NYU and will be headed back to graduate school to become a therapist. I’ll be starting a Masters in Social Work/Counseling next fall, specifics are still TBD. 

Shameka Edmond Smith

Groundwork

Shameka is a Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP NYC where she “plans and conducts activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question and investigate.” Shameka is the mother of two young daughters.

Liana (Mitman) Brodsky

Jumpstart 

I am about to start my 5th year at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation as the Assistant Director of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership. My role has expanded to directing our Graduate programming, along with my previous role of supporting all operations and curriculum development. We have added a second program to the Institute which is a fellowship for Jewish educators, in addition to our fellowship for Jewish executives in specific organizations. On a personal note, my family bought a new home and moved to Westwood, MA. Our daughter is almost 2.5 and our dog just turned 13! My husband created two new spin-offs of his beer education company (City Brew Tours) and is now in the general experience space leading Brewvana and Unboxed Experiences.

Stephanie Dueño

Museum of the City of New York

Stephanie was promoted to the role of Executive Director of Educational Services and Youth Rights at NYC Administration for Children’s Services

Julia MacMahon

Wheelock

Julia is a Community Fellow with the Harvard Mediation Program where she is “excited about integrating mediation skills and frameworks” into my work. Julia’s son Jameson is 3.5 years old. 

Alexis McConnell

Boston Children’s Museum 

Alexis is the Nutrition Educator Supervisor with the Broward County Health Department in Florida.

Danielle Calnan Morassi

Tenacity

Danielle is the Director of Operations at the Primrose Schools which is a leader in early education and care. Danielle has a Masters in Education. 

Brianne Studer

Boston Children’s Museum

I’m still in Washington, DC, and director of programs at Friends of the National Arboretum. We’ve really focused our efforts around teacher professional development, and are working on a big redesign of our 1-acre demonstration garden. I still like that I get to be involved in a lot of different projects, and am part of an excellent team. My husband, MC, and I and our two dogs, Noodles and Hazel, are enjoying local trips, and a bit more time together as we both can still work partially remotely.

Tory Kline Dunkle

Please Touch Museum 

2021 was a personally difficult year for me. My husband Dave died in March. So much of this past year has understandably been focused my personal life. Our daughter Anna has been my greatest joy this year. She turned 2 in December. She is talking up a storm and keeps me running after her most days. I am still working as Director of Children’s Ministries at Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA. My work/church community has been source of support/refuge/distraction. Professionally, I have been focused on creating a new curriculum for our middle school children that seeks to help them discern the ways in which they can tangibly contribute to the weekly life of the Church. 

Barbyose Noisette Sanders

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Barbyose, who is a therapist in PA wrote: “I became a Therapist to empower people to take control of their lives and to help them realize the power of choice and their ability to push through even the hardest of times, to realize their potential, to know their worth, and to see their value. No matter how broken, we can still choose the trajectory of our lives.” Barbyose also has two children. 

Massomeh (Muhammad) Spahr

Year Up

I am still a mom of two children: Quinn and Margot. I currently work at Growing Up Green Charter School as the Senior Director of Operations for four campuses (two elementary schools and two middle schools) that serve over 2000 students. This is my 10th year at my current position.

Bianca Van Heydoorn

Vera Institute of Justice

I recently joined the team at the Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project (YSRP) as the interim executive director. YSRP is a Philly-based advocacy organization that works to keep young people out of adult prisons and supports Juvenile Lifers with resentencing and reentry. I am beyond thrilled! YSRP is a values-driven organization that, like the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, sees the value in both policy and direct service.  Over the last year, I got certified as a mindfulness instructor and I am nearly done with another certification for permaculture design. I am beyond excited about both of these experiences, as they have provided a lot of inspiration.

CJ Anderson

BELL 

CJ is teaching 5th grade and Christyne was promoted to associate director of training and compliance in Harvard’s Office for Sponsored Programs.

Christyne (DeMango) Anderson

Associated Early Care and Education 

CJ is teaching 5th grade and Christyne was promoted to associate director of training and compliance in Harvard’s Office for Sponsored Programs.

Jordy Owen

Children’s Literacy Initiative

Jordy is the Director of Multimedia and E-learning Technologies for Children’s Literacy Initiative. 

Joanna Steinberg

Museum of the City of New York

While the pandemic has its many challenges, it also provided an important opportunity to develop a new series of virtual programs focused on the arts, activism and social justice. These programs were responsive, student-centered, and interactive, and they sparked meaningful engagement. The arts-based programs in particular inspired creativity and brought joy during challenging times to thousands of students from across the five boroughs and beyond. It was a great honor to mentor Charlotte Blackman as she developed her teaching practice and crafted inventive STEAM programs for families and communities. This fall I left my position at MCNY to move to New Haven for my family, and I am excited to explore opportunities to work and contribute to cultural and educational institutions locally. 

Emily Kuross Vikre

Boston Children’s Museum

I am continuing to be challenged and grow in my role as co-founder and CEO at Vikre Distillery. We now employ 40 people and are distributed in 10 states. I also serve on the boards of Lyric Opera of the North, Friends of the Boundary Waters, and the 1200 Fund (an organization that supports small businesses by facilitating forgivable loans for start-up or expansion). My second cookbook, The Family Camp Cookbook, is coming out this spring. My two boys are now 8 and 4 and we have an absolute blast with them doing all sorts of outdoor activities and arts and crafts.