The Balladeer Children’s Program enjoyed a creative day working in clay during July, with some great events coming up to finish out summer and start the fall season.
The Balladeer program, a free benefit for Ballad Health employees, is intended to strengthen family bonds and relationships among our Ballad Health family. Activities include visits to area attractions, picnics in local parks, holiday celebrations and activities, sports activities, discount tickets for attractions or events, treats, take-home projects and much more.
Here’s what the Balladeers have been up to lately and what they’ve got coming up.
July events
Clay Gurus
- Balladeer families enjoyed a fun-filled private event at The Clay Gurus in Kingsport, where creativity took center stage and every masterpiece started with a sheet of clay. This was a fun hands-on activity, and you could see the satisfaction of crafting something uniquely theirs once their piece was completed.
- Participants chose from four different sessions throughout the day and could create a gnome, a cat, an owl or five sets of earrings. Our little Balladeers were able to create a fun eight-piece magnet set in a variety of different designs and animals!
- Everyone who participated is invited back to paint and finish up their projects in a few weeks once everything has been fired in the kiln.
- The Clay Gurus were very accommodating and easy to work with! They made sure everyone had a great experience while providing excellent instruction with a little humor mixed in.
- SPECIAL NOTE: Clay Gurus are offering 10% off of their Pumpkin Pottery Carving Classes (must be booked by Aug. 22). Use code BALLAD when booking on their website: Schedule Appointment with The Clay Gurus. This is available to all Ballad Health team members!
Doe River Gorge
- Unfortunately, heavy rain caused the July 11 visit to Doe River Gorge to be canceled. If you were originally chosen to attend Doe River Gorge, the new available dates are Aug. 22 and Aug. 29.
- NOTE: If you were chosen for this event and have not yet contacted Doe River Gorge with a new date, you need to call Doe River directly at 423-725-4010 ASAP to reserve your spots! If you don’t, you could be put on a waitlist and may not be able to attend the event. If you have questions or if you do not plan to attend, contact Shawna DeHart or Kelly Ranson.
Event photos
Clay Gurus
Upcoming events
- Sept. 12 – Fender’s Farm, Jonesborough
- Balladeers get a first look at Fender’s Farm before their official opening! More details and registration info coming soon!
- Sept. 19 – Dollywood Day, Sevierville
- Balladeer registration and important information was emailed to everyone currently enrolled in the Balladeer program on Aug. 8 by Shawna. If you did not receive this email, please reach out to Shawna or Kelly.
- Our Balladeer Family Dollywood Day will be on Saturday, Sept. 19. This is a ONE-DAY-ONLY event.
- Children age 3 and under do not need a ticket, however 3-year-olds are still required to be registered for this event in order to receive a meal voucher.
- Ticket pick-up will be available ONLY at Dollywood the day of the event. You must arrive between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to pick up tickets from Shawna or Kelly. We will have a tent set up just outside the main entrance to hand out tickets.
- Parents will be responsible for purchasing tickets for themselves and any other family members/friends who attend. Tickets can be purchased for the discounted Ballad Health price at this website: Dollywood Store
- Oct. 10 – Crime and Dine Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Blountville
- Join us for a Clue-themed, family friendly murder mystery dinner show!
- Space is limited and registration will be required.
- More details coming soon!
- Oct. 24 – Spooky Skate Nights, Johnson City and Bristol
- Join us in costume for a spooky skate night at both Johnson City Family Skate Center and Bristol Skateway!
- Crafts, snacks, games, and more. More details coming soon!
- Nov. 7 – Balladeers at Topgolf – Knoxville
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m., Topgolf – Knoxville, 11400 Outlet Drive, Farragut, TN 37932. Come and get your swing on at Topgolf! More details to come. Space is limited.
Reminders
- The Balladeer Children’s Program is now featured on the Ballad Health Teams App! Check the app to find enrollment information, pictures, Balladeer-exclusive discounts and more.
- Balladeer Dollywood Day, which is typically held in May, will be on Sept. 19 this year. Mark your calendars now! NOTE: We know this is the same weekend as the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge. The event manager told us that Dollywood is typically less crowded on that weekend. While heavy traffic is expected in the area, we think it’ll be a great day at Dollywood! More details to come.
- Unless explicitly stated, Balladeer events are limited to the team member and those who live in their immediate household with them.
- Please honor your commitments to attend events and notify us if you can’t attend. When you register and don’t notify us that you won’t be attending, your spots remain empty when they could have been used by other children and families. This also takes away from our budget, resulting in less events being offered throughout the year.
About the Balladeer Children’s Program
While enrolling in the Balladeer Children’s Program is free, there is a cost associated with some of the activities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Balladeer Children’s Program is for Ballad Health direct hires who have children between the ages 3-18 years old living in their household. They MUST live with you to qualify for the program.
- Here’s an FAQ about eligibility for the Balladeer Children’s Program, posted to the Balladeer site on the Ballad Health intranet.
- Click here to access the program enrollment form.
- Check out the updated Balladeer Children’s Program site on the Ballad Health intranet.
Once you’re enrolled, please remember that you must register for any Balladeer event you wish to attend. Registration and information are sent via email at least two weeks prior to an event. If you aren’t receiving Balladeer emails, please reach out to Shawna DeHart at shawna.gragg@balladhealth.org.
