Let’s Gather Swansea

Swansea, Illinois

More reasons to get together.

Puzzles, LEGO, drones, plays and other simple things that are more fun to do with people.

See what’s coming up

Come do something.

Pick one that sounds good. Four gatherings. All free. We’re trying this out.

  • Play & Perform

    Please RSVP

    Play some games. Grab a script. Find a few castmates. Put on a tiny show.

    When
    Sun, Sep 20 · 2:00–3:30 PM
    Where
    Schranz Park pavilion (exact pavilion TBD)
    Who
    Kids and teens who can read and follow basic instructions. Younger kids with grown-up help. Grown-up stays
    Bring
    Nothing required. Water recommended.
    Details + RSVP

  • LEGOs Under Leaves

    Please RSVP

    A pile of LEGO, some build challenges and plenty of time to make whatever you want. A good way for a LEGO kid to find other LEGO kids, which is harder than it sounds.

    When
    Fri, Oct 9 · 5:00–6:30 PM
    Where
    Main Pavilion at Clinton Hills Park
    Who
    Kids of all ages. Grown-ups are welcome to build too. Grown-up stays
    Bring
    Nothing required. We’ll have plenty of LEGO. If you bring your own, keep it at your table so it doesn’t get mixed in.
    Details + RSVP

  • Puzzling in the Park

    Drop in, no RSVP

    Jigsaw puzzles of all kinds. Help place a few pieces in one big community puzzle or pull up a chair at a table with something smaller.

    When
    Sat, Oct 10 · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
    Where
    Thompson Center at Mel Price Park
    Who
    Everyone. All ages.
    Bring
    Nothing.

    Drop in anytime. Stay for 15 minutes or all afternoon.

    No sign-up needed. Just come by the day of. Thompson Center, 1500 Caseyville Ave, Swansea, IL.

  • Drone Playground

    Please RSVP

    Fly, practice, swap tips and try a Precision Landing Challenge and timed obstacle course.

    When
    Sat, Nov 7 · 2:00–3:30 PM
    Where
    Clinton Hills Park (exact flight area TBD)
    Who
    Kids and teens with their own drone. Grown-up stays
    Bring
    Bring your own charged drone and controller, labeled with the pilot’s name. Spare batteries are a good idea. Drones aren’t provided.

    Limited to about 10–12 pilots.

    Drone cameras stay off during the gathering. No photos or video.

    Weather-sensitive. We may reschedule if conditions are bad.

    Details + RSVP

The short version.

Let’s Gather Swansea is pretty simple. We find something people might enjoy doing together, find a place to do it and invite our neighbors.

Some gatherings are for kids. Some are for grown-ups. Some are for everybody.

Swansea already has great parks and shared spaces. We want to use more of them for the small stuff too.

No membership. No season-long commitment. You don’t have to know anyone before you come. Find something that sounds fun and show up.

Things we’re kicking around.

The first four are just a start. Here are a few other reasons we could get together:

  • Stargazing
  • Board game night
  • Photography walk
  • Pickup bocce
  • Spooky storytelling
  • Wildlife encounter

Have something you’d love to do with other people around Swansea? Good. Eventually, we’d like more of these ideas to come from you.

It’s good to know your neighbors.

It’s easy to live near people without ever really meeting them.

We think doing things together helps. Not because every gathering needs to turn strangers into best friends. Sometimes it’s enough to play a game, build something, learn somebody’s name and recognize them the next time you see them around town.

We’d like more of that in Swansea.

A few questions.

Is this just for kids?

Nope. Some gatherings are for kids. Some are for grown-ups. Some are for everybody. Our first few happen to include several kid-focused ideas. We’re just getting started.

Are these drop-off activities?

No. When a gathering is for kids or teens, a parent or guardian stays too. You’re welcome to join in.

Does it cost anything?

No. LGS gatherings are free.

Do I need to RSVP?

Depends on the gathering. Some have limited space and ask for an RSVP so we know roughly how many people are coming. Others are open for anyone to drop in. We’ll always make it clear.

Forgot to RSVP? Come by anyway. If there’s room, we’ll do our best to fit you in.

Are there any rules?

Nothing unusual. We follow the rules of the park or space we’re using. If a gathering has anything else you need to know, we’ll tell you.

Do I have to live in Swansea?

No. Swansea is the home and focus of LGS, but you don’t have to show an ID at the park. If a gathering sounds good, come join us.

Where did Let’s Gather Swansea come from?

Let’s Gather Swansea started with an idea from a Swansea resident: give people more simple reasons to get out, use the great spaces we already have and spend some time with their neighbors.

It isn’t meant to belong to one person or depend on one person to keep it going. The hope is for gatherings to be organized and hosted by people around Swansea, for people around Swansea.

For now, it’s an experiment. We’ll try some things, see what people enjoy and find out whether the community wants more of it. Maybe it grows into something. Maybe we just have some fun along the way.

Is this a Village of Swansea program?

No. Let’s Gather Swansea is an independent community effort, not an official Village of Swansea program.

The idea has strong support from Swansea’s mayor and Park Board.

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