By Barb Kozuh
The Desert Ridge Parents’ Group (DRPG) was founded by a Mom who loved her community of Desert Ridge, but was looking to find a group of Mom’s who were going through what she was going through with her toddlers…the teething, the tantrums and wondering if there was a better way to discipline. In 1997 that Mom founded the non-profit and started reaching out to other Moms at the park and scheduling play dates.
The organization has always been about family – and predominantly families in the communities of Desert Ridge, although families from neighboring zip codes are also welcome to join. The membership fee is $30 per year – yep, per year!
In the beginning, DRPG was about play dates – Moms bonding over coffee while their little one’s played nearby in a park, the local McDonald’s or in someone’s living room. The current face of DRPG has grown from that seed into a huge, flowering, multi-faceted organization that meets the needs of Moms, Dads and children. It’s about bonding, sharing and friendship.
Currently, DRPG committees still organize a vast array of play date groups – infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged. In addition to the big annual Spring and Fall events that DRPG hosts, the most popular events are the monthly Mom’s Night Out activities, which include Bunco,Craft Night, Mani-Pedi’s, Happy Hour, Movie Night, Book Club, and more. Mom’s can plan for a night off with the girls and relax without trying to keep their toddler from eating sand at Cashman Park. Dad’s Night Out usually features a local sporting event, restaurant bar or sports activity – paintball anyone? Co-ed group activities such as the DRPG softball team bring all the families together. There has even been talk of a DRPG kids’ karate team, soccer team, basketball team, t-ball team and group gymnastics…start your own as there’s sure to be other like-minded parents in the group to join you and your kids.
You can check DRPGonline.com for more information or check the DRPG Facebook page. Come to a play date, comment on our Facebook page or contact us through DRPGonline.com and give it a try. We have 100’s and 100’s of families who have been involved over the years to vouch for us. With almost 100% certainty, we can guarantee you and your children will make lifelong friends if you join DRPG Community.
