The Balladeer Children’s Program had a terrific time in June, highlighted by some community service as well as plenty of time in the pool.
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.
June events
Community service workday
- Balladeer families and several HR employees volunteered their time throughout the day on June 6 to help beautify the outdoor spaces at ETSU’s Early Learning Center on Signal Drive in Johnson City.
- Volunteers helped revamp a 140-foot flower bed by planting bushes that attract butterflies, herbs, flowers and veggies. They pulled weeds, cleared debris and created beautiful stone art to make everything vibrant and inviting.
- Volunteers also planted strawberries, tomatoes, carrots and other tasty veggies and herbs, in raised beds, for the Early Learning Center’s children to experience the joy of growing and maintaining their own food.
- Balladeer families also spent hours, with great detail, painting all of the wooden fencing around the playground areas.
- We were able to at a pop of creativity with chalk paint on their back wall. The Early Learning Center’s Director, Leigh Ann, added the cutest details so the children can use their imaginations while doodling.
- Families enjoyed ice cream and sorbet generously donated by Creamy Cup, a welcome break from the heat!
- These projects were made possible through generous donations from Evergreen Kingsport, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Appalachian Shine Pressure Washing and Outdoor Services.
Appalachian League Baseball Nights
- Balladeer families were given a choice of four different Appalachian League baseball games they could attend in June, and 441 people attended.
- Balladeer children were invited to participate in on-field games in between each inning.
Father’s Day pool parties
- Families enjoyed private, after-hours pool parties on June 20 at Wetlands Waterpark in Jonesborough and at Kingsport Aquatic Center, with 366 people attending.
- Ice cream was provided by Creamy Cup.
- Families also were given a special embroidered hat that said “DAD.”
Summer Fun Program
- June was our first month of our Balladeer Summer Fun Program! Families who registered for this were able to enjoy a different summer fun activity each week in June. Options included: bowling, roller skating, arcade fun, state park adventures and swimming opportunities.
- July summer fun will continue with drive-in movie nights, mini golf, pottery/painting, and play places.
- NOTE: Registration for the summer fun program ended in May. If you did not register for this program, you are not eligible to participate this year.
Event photos
Community service
Father’s Day pool parties
Summer Fun Program
Baseball Nights
Upcoming events
- July 25 (rescheduled from 7/11): Family Fun Day at Doe River Gorge, Hampton
- Registration closed and winners have been selected to attend this event.
- Doe River Gorge is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- July 25 – Pottery workshop event, Kingsport (all day)
- Saturday, July 25 – registration remains open until all spots are filled. See e-mail or Band notification for links!
- Aug. 1 – Knoxville Zoo
- Saturday, Aug. 1, 6-8:30 p.m. Join us for a private Balladeer event. Concessions and other fun games will be available, as well. Registration for this event is required; more details about this event will be emailed on July 20.
- Aug. 8 – Drive-in Movie Night at Moonlite Drive-in (Abingdon)
- Saturday, Aug. 8. Join us for a fun Balladeer drive-in movie night! Movie TBD. More information and registration will be sent soon!
- Aug. 15 – BrickUniverse LEGO Fan Expo, Abingdon
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, 1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, Va. This is rescheduled from February. Only for those whose names were drawn in the random ticket drawing.
- Sept. 12 – Fender’s Farm, Jonesborough
- Balladeers get a first look at Fender’s Farm before their official opening! More details and registration to come.
- Sept. 19 – Dollywood Day, Sevierville
- Our annual Dollywood day, just moved to fall!
- Balladeer children can receive free admission and a $10 meal voucher (good for 9/19 ONLY).
- Registration required and will be sent via email in early August.
- 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!
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.
