Family Area

Presented by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, the family area is open Saturday and Sunday.

Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars

precision jump rope
Greenbelt, Maryland

Remember the pleasure of jumping rope on the playground? Come be amazed and inspired by the boundless creativity and athleticism of the champion jumpers of the Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars.

Jump rope is one of the oldest forms of athletic play. Historians date the practice to at least 1600 BCE, when Egyptians used vines for jumping. In the United States, jump rope has been popular since colonial times; it is believed to have arrived in New York City with Dutch immigrants. In the mid-20th century, jump rope experienced a surge of popularity as the sensational double-Dutch (two-rope) style was revived by urban youth. Double-Dutch became a thriving tradition on the playground, and ultimately a symbol of Black girlhood. Rhymes and jumping patterns were passed from child to child informally over generations, always incorporating new elements that speak to the current moment. Today jump rope is seen as a precision sport, with competitions in speed, freestyle, double-Dutch, show, and other categories.

The Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars were founded in 1991 by Austin Gibbs, a former Olympic track star. The current head coach of the S.I.T.Y. Stars is Kim Bradshaw. A native of Washington, D.C., she started jumping in fifth grade; in her 30-plus years of jumping, she has numerous accomplishments, including Grand National Jump Rope Champion. Kim is also the U.S. record holder for Double Dutch Speed Relay and Double Dutch Pairs Speed in the 30-and-over division. One of the team’s stand-out members is Kim’s son, Brandon Harrison. Following in his mother’s footsteps, he is one of the top three jumpers in the nation, and holds the title for two speed championships.

Sponsored by the City of Greenbelt, the team name is an acronym for “sensational, inspirational, talented, and youth,” which expresses the values of their team. The Stars promote fitness in training children of all ages while building teamwork, self-esteem, leadership skills, and self-confidence. Team members regularly place at the World Jump Rope Championships, and in 2011, the Stars were selected to film a public service announcement at the White House with first lady Michelle Obama for Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play.

RICHMOND FOLK FESTIVAL JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Calling all kids! A child's visit to a National Park wouldn't be complete without earning a Junior Ranger patch. The Richmond Folk Festival takes place in the backyard of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site's contact station at Historic Tredegar. Explore the festival and Historic Tredegar through a one-of-a-kind Junior Ranger booklet created just for this event. Pick up your Richmond Folk Festival Junior Ranger booklet at the National Park Service tent in the Family Area on Saturday or Sunday, complete the activities, then bring it to the Junior Ranger Swearing-In Ceremony at the Family Stage to earn a limited-edition Richmond Folk Festival Junior Ranger patch!

EVERY KID OUTDOORS PRINT STATION

Fourth graders can stop by the National Park Service print station in the festival’s Family Area to print your very own National Park pass. The Every Kid Outdoors program was created to get kids ages 9 to 10 outdoors and into National Parks. This unique pass is FREE to all fourth graders. The pass will allow the fourth grader and their family FREE entry into all National Parks and other federal public lands for an entire school year. Come by the print station tent in the Family Area on Saturday or Sunday to print your pass

FAMILY STAGE

Saturday

• 12:00 – 12:45       Los Alacranes de R.V.A. (presented by JAMinc)

• 1:00 – 1:30            Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars (precision jump rope)

• 1:45 – 2:30            Mary & the Classroom Instrument Band (presented by JAMinc)

• 2:30 – 2:40            Junior Ranger Swearing-In (presented by JAMinc)

• 2:45 – 3:30            Chris Thomas & His Smoke Dancers (Haudenosaunee social dance)

• 3:45 – 4:30            Make a Lei and Hula Dance with Hālau ’O Lilinoe (traditional Hawai’ian hula)

• 4:45 – 5:15            Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars (precision jump rope)

Sunday

• 12:00 – 12:45        Susan Greenbaum (presented by JAMinc)

• 1:00 – 1:30            Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars (precision jump rope)

• 1:45 – 2:15            Eric Stanley (presented by JAMinc)

• 2:15 – 2:25            Junior Ranger Swearing-In

• 2:30 – 3:15            Learn Square Dancing with State of the Ozarks String Band (Ozark old-time)

• 3:30 – 4:15            Helobung (traditional Tboli music and dance)

• 4:30 – 5:00            Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars (precision jump rope)