Count Me In at the Edward Kennedy Institute

What would the world look like if all of our voices were included? Find out at Count Me In, the Kennedy Institute’s special, kid-friendly program day that is free with advance registration. Young people will create civic art projects, share their ideas for a more vibrant and welcoming world, and work together to come up with a design for a playground that could be welcoming to all.

Register for the morning session at 10 a.m. or the afternoon session at 12:30 p.m.

Both sessions include:

• Everyone's Playground. In the Institute’s Senate Chamber, kids will share their ideas for a specially designed playground of the future. Working together, kids can lend their own unique expertise to come up with a design for a better playground (and world) for everyone.
• Future Senator. Should the school day be longer? Future Senator allows kids to decide. “Future Senators” interview expert witnesses, watch a segment from "PBS’s Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman," and share their professional opinions about the length of the school day before casting their votes.
• Great Senate Debate. All can experience some of the speeches that brought the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to life.
• Today’s Vote. Everyone gets to participate in a legislative debate on the Green New Deal.

All-day, drop-in activities include:

• Community Table. Together, we will create a table for all of our voices and ideas. Kids will contribute to a collaborative art project to construct a table where the community can gather, share, and learn.
• Seats at the Table Art Project. These seats may be small, but they represent big ideas! Kids will construct and decorate a miniature seat that represents their voice at the table of power and decision making.
• Seat at the Table Scavenger Hunt. Explore the Institute and see the work of some local chair-makers who have participated in the Seat at the Table project.

All Count Me In participants are also invited to stay for a 3 p.m. community artist reception for the young people and community organizations that have participated in the Seat at the Table project and exhibit.