FAQ

Who are we?
The Sellwood Playgroup Association (SPA) is made up of multiple playgroups, one for each birth year beginning with children born in 2004. Each playgroup has representation on the SPA advisory council, which meets as needed to plan joint events or provide facilitator support.

Who can join?
Any family living in Sellwood, Eastmoreland, Westmoreland or Garthwick with children born in or after 2004 is welcome to join a playgroup, or multiple playgroups if you're interested in the groups for each of your children's birth years. We welcome moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers to participate in our playgroup community.

How does our family participate?
In order to join a playgroup (or groups), simply contact the facilitator of the group for your child's birth year. Links to each playgroup's website can be found in the menu bar on this website, as well as facilitator contact information. You will then have access to your group's calendar, resources and listserve, and can decide the ways in which your family would like to participate.

Is there a fee to join?
All the playgroups are free--we sometimes ask for a small donation at large group events where we've had to pay a fee to reserve a space, or some activities may have their own fees (admission costs, presenter fees at workshops).

Who facilitates the playgroups?
Each group has a volunteer coordinator who maintains the individual playgroup website for their child's birth year and organizes playgroups and outings for their group.

Where are playgroups held?
Activities vary from playgroup to playgroup, as do locations. We meet in members' homes, libraries, parks, and area businesses. We coordinate outings appropriate to our children's ages all over the city, with a focus on our neighborhood and all it has to offer.

When do playgroups meet?
Some groups meet at the same day and time each week, some alternate days and times to try to accommodate members' schedules, and some meet as the opportunity arises. Each playgroup handles their own calendar independently of the others. Meeting on a weekly basis tends to be easier for families with infants than it does for families of preschoolers, for example. Coordinators may schedule regular group meetings, but any member is welcome to post activities on their playgroup's calendar. We do try to hold at least two joint playgroup gatherings each year where all of the SPA families are invited.

Are children supervised at playgroup events?
Parents are expected to supervise their own children at all events, or to arrange for supervision (by grandparents, caregivers, neighbors, etc.)

Why is membership limited to the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhoods?
We often meet in homes and are simply unable to accommodate larger numbers of children and their parents. Keeping these playgroups focused on our immediate community also helps us to accomplish some of our main goals, which are to help families connect with other families in our neighborhood, assist families in locating activities that are within walking/biking distance, and to support the events, activities and family-centered businesses and organizations in our community.

Who do I contact about general SPA questions?
You can contact one of our cofounders:
Eric Miller, chasingmoose@gmail.com
Kirstin McAuley, ktmcauley@gmail.com