Past Events
James May Annual WA State Fathers Network Conference 2023 – November 2023
The 2023 James May’s Annual Washington State Fathers Network Conference was a wonderful success. Men from several counties across Washington state gathered to share resources and stories about fatherhood. The keynote speaker, Dr. Christopher Armstrong-Goings, discussed the fundamentals of fatherhood and how to live a life that leaves a legacy for their children.
2023 Annual Kickoff Breakfast – September 2023
The 2023 Annual Kickoff Breakfast was a wonderful success. There were about 40 people who registered to the event and enjoyed a delicious breakfast made by some of the Fathers Network families. There were new faces and some alumni families as well. The families were elated to be back in the building and one father said, ‘Thank you for making this event happen back in the Bellevue building. It feels like we have come home again. Thank you for bringing the Fathers Network home.”
Father’s Day Annual Campout – June 2023
The 38th Annual Washington State Fathers Network Campout over Father’s Day in Anacortes was a wonderful success. The campout had some families that have been with the organization since the beginning and had several families who had never gone to a Fathers Network event before. The Washington State Fathers Network has a few family events throughout the year, and I’ve already heard from the families that they’re looking forward to next year already. Families with children with disabilities joining together will always be an experience to cherish.
Free Monthly Virtual Webinars, June-Dec 2022
From June through December of 2022, parents joined us monthly as we presented free one hour virtual webinars available to everyone on a variety of topics. See the full list of sessions here. Contact Louis Mendoza at Louis.Mendoza@Kindering.Org or 425-653-4286 with any questions.
Kick Off the School Year Annual Breakfast – September 2022
The Annual Breakfast returns! Due to COVID we’ve missed out on our breakfast in recent years, but it was held this year and hosted by Network member Jason Maji and his wife Lori. The event was held outside at their farm in Maple Valley. We had beautiful weather, great conversations, and wonderful food prepared by Network members Cliff Gillett, Hameed Quraishi, and Jeremy Kredlo.
Please click here to see more photos.
Fathers Network Gathering – July 2022
After not meeting for our annual conference for two years due to COVID, a small but energized group of Fathers Network members gathered at the end of July 2022 to reconnect, meet new members, share experiences and resources, offer support to each other, and learn a few things. Click here to see more photos of the event.
Mariner Baseball Game Tickets Provided to Families – June 2022
The Fathers Network was able to provide families with free Mariner tickets to two games in June of 2022. 168 people from 34 families enjoyed going to the games on June 18 and 28, 2022.
Father’s Day Weekend Annual Campout in Anacortes – June 2022
After two years of not having this event due to the pandemic, we had our 37th Annual Campout in Anacortes over Father’s Day weekend. Although there was a rain prediction, it did not. A total of 58 people from 12 families, including 5 new families, had a wonderful time getting to reconnect and know each other.
Annual Photo Event – May 2022
24 families participated in our annual photo event on May 21. It was a beautiful day, with views of the water, at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. Photographer Rob Wolf patiently worked with each family to get the family shots that they wanted. And, while they waited, families were able to walk the park or use the playground next to our location. The photo session and a link to the photos were provided at no cost.
Annual Photo Event – May 2021
On May 1, 2021, 17 families joined us at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island to have their photos taken by professional photographer Lisi Wolf. It was a beautiful day and the trees in the park provided a great background for the photos. At no cost, each family was provided with a link to the photos of their family members.
2019 Fathers Network Conference – Dads All In For Inclusion
Our conference was held on November 2nd. We had a great turnout and it was a wonderful day with lots of connecting between the men and lots of information exchanged, both formally and informally. Click here for more photos of the event.
September 2019 Annual Breakfast
Our annual family kickoff the school year breakfast was held September 7th. 40 people joined us and had a great time visiting and getting to know each other. And, as usual, our crack team of dad cooks provided a great meal.
Father’s Day Weekend Annual Campout – June 2019
36 years and going strong. This past Father’s Day we had our annual campout at Washington Park in Anacortes. The weather was beautiful, 90 people showed up, including 8 families attending for the first time. Veteran families of the event enjoyed catching up with friends and everyone enjoyed welcoming and getting to know the new families.
June 2019 Gaming Event at the Microsoft Store in Seattle, University District
On Sunday, June 9th, 2019 the Fathers Network had our third dad and kid gaming event at the Seattle, University District, Microsoft Store. 9 families (27 people) took part. We played Xbox games, did virtual reality, enjoyed snacks, visited with each other and walked away with SWAG bags. A big thank you to the employees of the Microsoft store who provided the food, SWAG and came in early to help with the games.
June 2019 Dads and Family Photo Event
Our annual dad and family photo event last Sunday was a great time. We had 24 families take part and it was great to meet those who hadn’t joined us before and reconnect with the returning families. And, our group of photographers enjoyed meeting and working with all the families. We hope to do it again next year in May or June so if you couldn’t attend this year hopefully we’ll see you in 2020. The Network would like to thank the members of the Woodinville Media Group who donated their time, welcomed the families and made them feel special.
January 2019 Gaming Event at Microsoft
Our second dads and kids gaming event was held on January 27, 2019 at the Microsoft store in U Village. Dads and their kids enjoyed a continental breakfast, Xbox gameplay, a Virtual Reality experience and everyone walked out with a SWAG bag.
2018 Fathers Network Conference: It’s Never Too Late To Advocate
Our annual conference was held November 3, 2018. The men who attended enjoyed networking, sharing resources and family stories and attending breakout sessions where they obtained information helpful to them and their families.
2018 Annual Kickoff Breakfast
Our annual kickoff the school year breakfast was held September 8, 2018. We had a great turnout of 55 people and a wonderful breakfast was provided by our longtime head chef Hameed Quraishi and his crack team of cooks.
WSFN Family Weekend at Carnation Farms
On the weekend of August 24-26, 2018 the Fathers Network hosted 22 families at Carnation Farm. Activities included zip lining, archery, pottery painting, night hikes, fishing, canoeing, a dance party and generally enjoying each other’s company. Link to photos here.
“Veteran” Member Reunion
On June 23, 2018 the Fathers Network had a reunion of some of our long time members. We had 24 men show up and some of them have been part of the Network since the late 80’s and early 90’s. We had a fabulous time, as you can see from the photos.
Annual Campout in Anacortes
What a beautiful and fun weekend we had at our campout over Father’s Day weekend in Anacortes. 18 families joined in, 9 camping overnight and we had 60 people for dinner and mingling on Saturday. People went to the beach, rode bikes, hiked, tossed frisbees, played games and just generally had a great time getting to know new people and getting caught up with old friends. We hope you can join us next year for the 36th annual campout.
Gaming Event at the Microsoft Store in University Village
On June 10, 2018 the Fathers Network teamed up with the great folks at the Microsoft Store in the University Village shopping mall (near the University of WA) to host a private event for dads and their kids to do gaming.
Dads and Family Photo Event
Our 3rd annual photo event last Sunday was a great time. It was wonderful meeting all the families and the photographers enjoyed working with everyone. We hope to do it again next year in May so if you couldn’t attend this year hopefully we’ll see you in 2019.
Telling Your Story with a Purpose Workshop
March 17,2018 a group of dads attended a 4 hour workshop on how to make an effective 2-3 minute presentation to advocate for a policy or issue affecting families of children with special health care needs. If you have a group of dads that would like to receive this training please contact Louis Mendoza at louis.mendoza@kindering.org or at 425-653-4286.