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CUPF 4 Kids: County Employees’ Kids Explore Career Possibilities in EOB


I want to start by thanking Ceciley Maxwell, Amina Getaneh and Rodrigue Vital for their willingness to represent CUPF at this year’s Take Your Child to Work Day Fair, organized by the Office of Human Resources. The event was held in the Executive Office Building, which is one of the landmark facilities our office permits for community use. Needless to say, this year’s event was a success in terms of participation by multiple agencies like the Office of Budget and Management, the Department of Corrections, Montgomery Police, other Agencies; as well as attendance by a diverse cohort of children of County employees. Approximately 350 children ranging in age from 8 to 15 years old were accompanied by approximately 150 employee parents who all came to take a “long term view” at career possibilities within the County. I use “long term view” because while these kids may not be of age to hold full-time jobs, it is never too early to introduce them to the noble idea of civil service. After all, many past and current County, State and Federal officials got their start in politics working for the County.

I shared the delight of CUPF Staff manning our booth in seeing these energized young people at our table. This experience provided not only an opportunity to tell them what CUPF stands for but also the opportunity to demonstrate what CUPF does. One exercise we developed for the kids was titled “Plan Your Event”. I walked them through a very abbreviated process of planning a soccer game, basketball practice, scout meeting, etc. all using school fields, gyms, multipurpose rooms, etc. It was very fulfilling to see the lights go on in their eyes when they realized how adults “make it happen” for them to play, meet and otherwise enjoy public facilities. At the end they got a fictitious permit to hold their event in the selected venue. The way I see it, while many of the kids may have been attracted by the scintillating black and blue caps spread across our table as giveaways; upon walking away they also gained a better understanding of what CUPF does. 
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Office of Community Use of Public Facilities
Montgomery County Government, Maryland
Phone: 240-777-2725