Fundango

(Saturday Evening Respite)

Fundango, is a respite program for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents in Colorado with children ages 0 to 17 years of age in their home. Staff are CBI/FBI checked and trauma-trained to work with the unique needs of our population. In our program, staff and volunteers focus on social/emotional learning through a variety of activities. Families receive a temporary relief from everyday tasks in order to help reduce stress, to support family stability, prevent abuse and neglect, and minimize the need for out-of-home placement.

2023 Fundango Dates: 

Sat, Aug. 12, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Aug. 26, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Sep. 23, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Oct. 7, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Oct. 21, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Nov. 4, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Nov. 18, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Dec. 2, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Sat, Dec. 16, 2023 – FUNDANGO

Click on the Events Calendar for current program registration.

Registration for Fundango opens 2 weeks prior to each event and remains open until the Sunday leading up to Fundango. Spots are first come, first serve, and often fill up quickly. Kids are signed up by age group. If you are having difficulty registering or your child(ren)’s group is full, please sign up on the waiting list and/or reach out to the Executive Director or the Program Manager for assistance. We will respond accordingly with information or updates regarding your event registration status.

 ** Dates are subject to change. Please check our event calendar for events open for registration.

 NOTE: Registration updates for all upcoming Kids At Heart events (Fundango, Teen Connect, One-Day Camps, etc) are sent out routinely via email. If you would like to join our email list, or if you have questions, please contact our Program Director.

Events Calendar

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Fundango Respite Program

for Foster, Kinship & Adoptive Families

Cost to Attend

“On average, an experienced, highly trained baby sitter for 4+ children in Northern CO costs $17.50 an hour”

Have a really tight budget? Reach out to our Director for cost assistance and scholarships.

Fundango Cost

$25 for first child

$5 each per additional child

What does it actually cost Kids at Heart, per child, to put on a Fundango event? 

On average, it costs Kids at Heart about $50 per child to put on a Fundango.

That breaks down to a cost of $10/hr per child.

What will my children be doing?

A full, well balanced dinner is always provided. The different ages are divided up as seen below:

0 – 1 year olds

 Nursery Room Please bring a diaper bag with all the needed items for your child, and be prepared for a brief meeting with the nursery staff to go over your child’s needs/routine.

2 – 3 year olds

Toddler Room Please bring a diaper bag with all the needed items for your child. Your toddlers will enjoy snack, free play, guided activities, and dinner. 

4 – 5 year olds

 Pre-School Room Our Pre-School staff design a unique, age-focused curriculum for each event: a mix of snack times, down times, active movement, simple crafts, and free play 

6 – 12 year olds

Rotating Groups School age children will be split up into 4 age groups and rotate through stations. Science experiments, snacks, special guests, and sports are just some of the fun your kids will enjoy.

13 – 17 year olds

   Teen Connect
Learn more here.     Teens get to enjoy their own special curriculum. Generally the teens will go out into the community, hiking, or have a special guest at each Fundango. 

1:1 Staff

Kids at Heart has hired special staff to be 1:1 inclusion specialists for the kiddos who need extra support to be successful at our events. Whether your child has a behavioral challenge, physical disabilities, cognitive delays, sensory integration disorders, or any special need, you can email our Director, to set-up a meeting to build a support plan for your child so they can successfully attend all our events through the year.

How do I get more information to sign-up my child or children?

#1
Email our Executive Director to talk about the program.

#2
Complete the Child Information Form. One per child.

#3
Complete the Caregiver Information Form. One per family.

Fundango FAQs

What is Fundango?
Fundango, is a respite program for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents in Colorado with children ages 0 to 17 years of age in their home. Staff are CBI/FBI checked and trauma-trained to work with the unique needs of our population. In our program, staff and volunteers focus on social/emotional learning through a variety of activities. Families receive a temporary relief from everyday tasks in order to help reduce stress, to support family stability, prevent abuse and neglect, and minimize the need for out-of-home placement.
When and where are Fundango events held?

Meeting at various locations in Loveland, Fort Collins, and Greeley, CO.

What time do events start and what time do they end?

Fundango starts at 3:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. Now, we know how crazy weekend schedules can be between kids’ sports and birthday parties. If you need to arrive later than 3 pm, just email our director when signing up, and we are happy to work with your family.

What is the cost to participate?

The cost depends on how many kids a family has. Scholarships are available, please contact one of our staff Directors for scholarship assistance.

$25 for the first child.

$5 each per additional child.

Who can participate at Fundango?
All children in your home may attend. We take ages from 0 to 17 years old, and at least one child in the home must be classified as a foster, adoptive or kinship child. Don’t forget that biological children can come as well!
Do you provide dinner?
Yes!  We offer all Fundango kids, staff, and volunteers dinner and snack at each Fundango event.  Dinner varies from event to event.  Please let us know if your child has any allergies.  You are more than welcome to bring in food of your own choosing for your children.
Do you train and perform background checks on your volunteers?
Yes! It is important to us that your children have a fun and safe time while they are with us at Fundango. Therefore, we run a thorough background check on all staff and volunteers who work with our children. We repeat that background check every two years. Also all of our staff are trained in infant, child and adult CPR as well as first aid. Additionally, we have a mandatory training that all new volunteers must complete prior to their first time volunteering.
If my child gets hurt, how will I be notified?
If your child gets hurt, and the incident is not an emergency, we will treat the child if necessary and write an incident report with details of what happened. The report will be waiting for you when you come to pick up your child. You will need to sign it. If you need a copy please let the director know and s/he will email you a copy Monday following Fundango. If the incident is an emergency, we will contact you immediately.
Are there nursery and toddler groups and what do they do?
Yes! We offer a nursery group for children ages 0 – 1 and a toddler group for ages 2 – 3.  We have two paid nursery staff and two paid toddler staff who are with the kids all the time. The nursery has their own routine and activities planned for the evening. The toddler staff have built a specific curriculum to keep your toddlers happy and entertained the whole event. All nursery and toddler children eat dinner, snack, and have an assortment of toys available to play with. The activities vary per event, but you can expect your child to color, play, dance, etc.
How old does my child need to be to participate as a Fundango Teen Helper?
Once your child turns 12, they can volunteer as a Fundango Teen Helper.  The director, parent, and teen will talk before the event to see where to best place to volunteer will be. Also, we will need parents/guardians to sign this waiver for their children to participate.  You can download the permission slip here.
How do I get on your mailing list?

Joining our mailing list is a great way to stay informed about all things Kids at Heart.  Just contact one of our staff Directors and let us know you want to join our list.

I'm new to Fundango, what will drop off and pick up look like?

When you arrive at Fundango, you will get in the check-in line at the door. You will locate your family name on our printed registration list and initial the check-in column for all the children you are leaving in our care. Please make sure you leave us an emergency number in the space provided, and pay your registration fee to the Director. You will drop off any infants or toddlers in the Nursery room. Your older child(ren) will be helped by staff or volunteers to pick up their nametags and find their groups. Then you are free to enjoy your break!

When you come back to Fundango to pick up your children, you will get into the check-out line at the door. You will locate your family name on the printed registration list and initial the check-out column for all the children you have left with us. One of our staff Directors will give you a pick-up list (notecard) and any forms or notifications for your family. Once you have received your pick-up list, you will take it over to the child runners who will gather up your kids for you. Remember to check that your kids have all their belongings and pick up any craft or STEM projects your kids may have created! Once you have completed check-out and gathered all of your kids and their belongings, you are free to go!

What happens if we don't show up?

We understand that emergencies happen and that there might be a time where you can’t make it to Fundango. Please contact one of our staff Directors or call us as soon as possible so we can cancel your reservation. If a family no shows three times, they will lose their spot at the next fundango.

Is it okay if someone else picks up my children?
Yes! Please let us know when you drop of your children who will be picking them up. Also, make sure that the person picking up your children has a photo id.

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Contact

970-529-8222
ethan@kidsatheartco.org

6501 Brittany Street
Fort Collins, CO 80550