Upcoming Events
The events below are open to the public, and a wonderful opportunity to visit our campuses!
2024 Spring Gala Fundraiser
Village Playgarden Spring Benefit 2024
Join us for an amazing night under the stars at Wildseed Farm! The ticket price includes food and an open bar.
The Spring Gala will honor Kikanza’s vision to create a permanent home for Village Playgarden. The heart of that vision is turning the Canon House into a licensed childcare center. That will involve attaining a Conditional Use Permit ($50,000), purchasing the property ($1.5 M), as well as architectural and construction costs ($250,000).
We must raise $50,000 at this year's benefit. Let’s make it our biggest fundraiser yet!
Please invite your friends and we'll see you there!
Kikanza's Life Celebration
Dear Family and Friends,
I am writing to remind you that the Celebration of Kikanza’s Life will be held on the Altadena mountainside land that Kikanza loved so dearly, on Saturday April 27, from 3PM to 6PM.
Everyone who knew Kikanza and wants to join us to honor her is welcome to attend. Details below.
Many of you have asked if there is any way to help. One suggestion is to join us in honoring Kikanza with a donation to help realize her long held vision of purchasing and licensing a permanent home for the early childhood school she founded, Village Playgarden.
for more details on Kikanza’s vision and to make a donation please visit: http://ffnd.co/JnS6Zk
We will also be designing and building a beautiful shrine and meditation corner on the Skylane property in honor of Kikanza. Some of her ashes will be placed there and it will be a public spot on the land where anyone can visit to sit and remember Kikanza. Part of the fundraiser funds will support building that area on the land.
Another way to help is with the food and drinks for the Celebration. If you would like to participate, please go to the sign-up genius that Lois Williamson put together and sign up for various foods, wine, beer, beverages: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAAA72AAAF85-49129414-kikanzas
Details and logistics for the Celebration:
Join us for a Celebration of Kikanza’s Life
3636 Skylane Dr. Altadena, CA 91001
April 27, Saturday, 3PM to 6PM
Parking: Please park ONLY on Canon Blvd., Devonwood Rd., or Loma Alta Drive and arrive with enough time to walk in to the Skylane property.
Please walk in using the hiking and horse trail at the top of Canon Blvd, walking westward on the trail from Canon Blvd. to the Celebration location.
Please Do Not park on the small private streets: Vinehill, Skylane, nor Anna Maria, please! You’ll drive my neighbors crazy!
Warm clothes and a blanket: We will not have enough seats for everyone, so please bring a blanket to sit on during the program and dress warmly!
Childcare: We will provide childcare in the Skylane classroom outdoor area. Children are also welcome to attend, but we ask that parents keep them close and use the childcare if they become become disregulated.
Details about Kikanza’s death:
If you have not heard yet, I am writing to share with you our sad news that Kikanza Ramsey-Ray, my wife and life partner of 30 years, and mother of our three adult children, Malcolm, Simone, and Aquila, passed away on March 4, 2024 after a year-and-a-half fight against uterine cancer.
Kikanza and I had tried every treatment under the sun and her death was a shock to us and to a wide community of family and friends. We were all so sure she would pull through, even if it was to only have a handful more years!
We were blessed to have several days to say goodbye to Kikanza once we learned that her death was imminent, and dozens of family from around the country and close friends were able to gather at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California to spend some beautiful last days with her.
Kikanza had a profound impact on so many people that she knew in the course of her 54 years and she will be deeply missed by those of us who had the privilege of knowing her well. She had a big presence in several different worlds:
the political world of Left community organizing and training young organizers for 10 years at the Labor/Community Strategy Center of Los Angeles, www.thestrategycenter.org
her spiritual world connected to Sai Anantam ashram and her guru Swamini Turiyasangitananda,
and her world as an early childhood teacher and founder of the nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten Village Playgarden in Altadena, California. www.villageplaygarden.org
I had the privilege and joy to join Kikanza in all three worlds, as well as raise our three children in a parenting world of homebirth, progressive schooling, homeschooling, camping, travelling with our kids, building a diverse community of like-minded parents, and visiting extended family on both our sides from LA to Mexico City to Chicago to Michigan. Kikanza and I were drawn to each other because she and we always followed our passions for serving others, creating family and community, and always listening to the spirit world. We always figured out how to make a living after pursuing those passions. Which meant we always ended up doing work that was fulfilling and positive in the world and we were always co-workers, co-founders of Village Playgarden, co-teachers, co-parents. Yes, we were together for 30 years, and we also literally spent nearly every hour, day, and month of those 30 years together. Some folks thought we were odd. 😊
Following her death, we brought her home for a three-day open-casket vigil in our home with close family and friends. Our son Malcolm built the pine coffin that she was cremated in.
With much love and appreciation,
Geoff
Village Playgarden
Geoff Ramsey-Ray
Director
3636 Skylane Dr.
Altadena, CA 91001
Cell: 213-700-9107
geoff@villageplaygarden.org
www.villageplaygarden.org
Community Visit Day - December
Village Playgarden teachers and directors will host a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2024- 2025 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Community Visit Day - November
Village Playgarden teachers and directors will host a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2024- 2025 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Enchanted Forest Fall Fundraiser
COME ONE, COME ALL TO THE ENCHANTED FOREST AT VILLAGE PLAYGARDEN!
What:
Guided tour through the enchanted Village Playgarden forest, with music, dance, and theatrical vignettes along the way.
Toasty drinks, savory snacks and delicious home baked goodies to eat.
Wands, capes, and other festive goods available for purchase in our marketplace
Other fun activities!
Cash, credit cards and Venmo will be accepted at the event.
All money raised from this sale will help fund school projects that contribute to the daily magic of fostering a child's connection with nature.
Location: The starting point is the driveway of 3641 Canon Blvd.
Parking: Please park on Canon Blvd., Devonwood Rd (perpendicular to Canon), or Loma Alta Drive.
Community Visit Day - October
Village Playgarden teachers and directors will host a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2024- 2025 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Educational Series - Deconstructing Parenting - Class 3
By Stephanie Blank, LCSW & Samantha Sangana, LCSW
This is the third and final class of the three-part series.
Class Three: March 18th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The inner work on ourselves is the truest guide for connected and compassionate parenting of our young ones. When we dig into our own inner space, it makes showing up for our children more impactful, intentional, and fluid.
Join us for a 3-part series or bringing the inner work of parenting out into our relationships with our children. Together we will explore where the mind and body meet in the nervous system (ours and our children's), how to notice our needs and our children's needs, tools for scaffolding connection and understanding in relationships, and build a parent support community. Through experiential learning, exercises, and group dialogue, we will move from our inner world to the outer world we live in with our families.
*Childcare will be provided
Classes will be held on 2/4, 3/4, & 3/18 from 10am - 1pm.
Educational Series - Deconstructing Parenting - Class 2
By Stephanie Blank, LCSW & Samantha Sangana, LCSW
This is the second class of the three-part series.
Class Two: March 4th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The inner work on ourselves is the truest guide for connected and compassionate parenting of our young ones. When we dig into our own inner space, it makes showing up for our children more impactful, intentional, and fluid.
Join us for a 3-part series or bringing the inner work of parenting out into our relationships with our children. Together we will explore where the mind and body meet in the nervous system (ours and our children's), how to notice our needs and our children's needs, tools for scaffolding connection and understanding in relationships, and build a parent support community. Through experiential learning, exercises, and group dialogue, we will move from our inner world to the outer world we live in with our families.
*Childcare will be provided
Classes will be held on 2/4, 3/4, & 3/18 from 10am - 1pm.
Educational Series - Deconstructing Parenting - Class 1
By Stephanie Blank, LCSW & Samantha Sangana, LCSW
This is the first class of the three-part series.
Class One: February 4th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The inner work on ourselves is the truest guide for connected and compassionate parenting of our young ones. When we dig into our own inner space, it makes showing up for our children more impactful, intentional, and fluid.
Join us for a 3-part series or bringing the inner work of parenting out into our relationships with our children. Together we will explore where the mind and body meet in the nervous system (ours and our children's), how to notice our needs and our children's needs, tools for scaffolding connection and understanding in relationships, and build a parent support community. Through experiential learning, exercises, and group dialogue, we will move from our inner world to the outer world we live in with our families.
*Childcare will be provided
Classes will be held on 2/4, 3/4, & 3/18 from 10am - 1pm.
Educational Series - Child Development for Parents: class three
This is the third and final class of the three-part series. We will be discussing child development, language and language development, and nurturing self-esteem for the young child. You can attend one or all three classes.
Class Three: January 21st, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Forming a Self; Nurturing Self-Esteem for the young child
Understanding the movement between inflation and Deflation; and how that supports the
development of the Self; Based on the Theories of Carl Jung
Understanding how working the Will supports Self Esteem
How to Nurture an Anti-Bias Environment for early childhood
What is Identity and how is it formed?
Community Visit Day - January
Village Playgarden teachers and founders, Kikanza and Geoff Ramsey-Ray, will hosting a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2023- 2024 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation and online here.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Educational Series - Child Development for Parents: class two
This is the second class of the three-part series. We will be discussing child development, language and language development, and nurturing self-esteem for the young child. You can attend one or all three classes.
Class Two: December 3rd, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Language and Language Development
How do we speak to children so the body can listen?
How do we speak to our children in a developmentally appropriate way so they can understand?
The language of touch
What is shaming language
When we speak to children are we being clear: Clear is Kind; Kind is clear
The language of Creativity and Imagination
Transactional Analyses – Ways of speaking to all human beings
Community Visit Day - December
Village Playgarden teachers and founders, Kikanza and Geoff Ramsey-Ray, will hosting a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2023- 2024 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation and online here.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Educational Series - Child Development for Parents: class one
This is the first class of the three-part series. We will be discussing child development, language and language development, and nurturing self-esteem for the young child. You can attend one or all three classes.
Class One: November 19th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - Child Development Overview
Years 0-7; 7-14; 14-21
Focus on Early Childhood Ages 0-7
How to nurture Goodness, Beauty, and Truth for your developing children
The body and it’s relationship to Brain Development
Educating the Will of the Child
The 4 lower senses; Small Motor development and Gross motor development
Community Visit Day - November
Village Playgarden teachers and founders, Kikanza and Geoff Ramsey-Ray, will hosting a series of community visit days.
Village Playgarden will have openings for school year 2023- 2024 and for summer of 2024. Please attend if you are interested in enrolling in our all-outdoor, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired kindergarten for children ages 2 to 7 years old.
Please come meet us in person to learn about Village Playgarden's pedagogy, see the school grounds, meet teachers and current parents, and ask any questions you may have.
Applications will be available following the presentation and online here.
You can stream a 9-minute film that showcases our programs for younger and older children here.
This gathering is for adults only -nursing moms are exempt.
Please park on Canon Blvd. There is no parking on Skylane Dr. or Vinehill Dr. You can walk in on Vinehill and Skylane roads, or better yet we recommend the scenic hiking path at the end of Canon—going west from Canon Blvd. The trail ends at our property after a short one block walk. Once you arrive, either from the parking lot or from the trail, please walk up the stairs alongside the hill. Once you are at the top of the stairs, enter Village Playgarden through the cedar gate to your left. We will be sitting outside in the outdoor play area.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Enchanted Forest
On October 29th Village Playgarden opens the garden gates to the community for our annual Enchanted Forest!
Come one, come all! At the edge of the forest, at the foot of the hill, Village Playgarden’s families, alumni, and teachers will lead you on an enchanted, completely outdoor, tour of magical songs, storytelling, and seasonal vignettes. This Halloween event is specially crafted with children 2 – 10 years old in mind, an opportunity to share their costumes, collect treats and treasures, and hear stories and songs that will spark their courage (without scaring them!)