It was Summer 2021, following the world’s collective retreat into our collective homes. Humanity was beginning to emerge. Garage doors opened. Neighbors greeted neighbors. Children had grown another few inches. Babies had been born. Mothers looked weary. Fathers were distracted. Children were antsy. We were disconnected.
I took a hard look around and decided, it was time. The Backyard Get-Together (BGT) was born. It’s a very simple notion, really. A BGT brings people together for two hours every other week to build community. Summer is meant to be a time to reconnect with others, engage in some friendly hospitality, but often it’s the opposite. BGT aims to help fill the gap that comes with ongoing busy schedules.
Have a backyard? Then you have what you need to create community
How It Works
Every other week during the summer, a host opens her backyard to friends and neighbors for two hours on a day of her choice. This can go the entire summer break or as schedules allow. I offer iced coffee to the adults and ask them to bring water and a snack for their kids. An adult must accompany the kids. A closed FB group and texts keep everyone updated.
There’s no need to clean your home – only provide a backyard where kids can play and adults can visit. Everyone enters through a gate, so there’s no manning a front door. Guests could also enter through a garage if there’s a door available. We provide yard games and several kiddie pools for littles. We have an above-ground pool but ask an adult to be present.
Kiddie Pools give littles the chance to play in the water while big kids swim in the pool
For two hours, it’s a bit of mayhem but many come, excited to see one another after a busy school year. New adult acquaintances are made. Kids reconnect with friends and make new ones. Sometimes neighbors meet for the first time. Moms relax (a little) as they catch up with friends.
After two hours, everyone heads out. We are able to host ours in the morning, and start at 10 a.m. and end at noon, just in time for moms to take their kids home for lunch. Toys get piled back into the kiddie pools, deck furniture or chairs are straightened, a few coffee items are put away, and clean up is pretty much finished.
Alternative BGT Ideas:
Not able to host midweek or in the morning? Have teens in the house? Consider these options:
Host teens in the evening following dinnertime. Provide supplies for s’mores and a bonfire.
Or, invite a sports group over following summer practice/camps for a swim in your pool every other week through the summer.
No kids? Host neighbors and friends for drinks and appetizers on the deck or patio.
No pool? Start up the sprinklers and grab the popsicles.
Now going into our third summer, BGT has become a favorite with friends and neighbors. Having kids is not a requirement to come (my kids are grown). Sometimes there’s a big group and sometimes just a handful of people. Some people come every week; some only make it once. Still, we’re connecting. Memories are being made. Friendships are being created. Have a backyard? Then you have all you need to create a BGT community.
