Art Gallery!

Back in 2009 I created and ran (with a whole lot of help!) an art activity for the children at church.  We tied our art projects into gospel topics.  Take a look!

Roll marbles (dipped in paint) over paper to create a masterpiece!

Hey, that's me!

Taking a look at the salt dough sculptors.

Our gallery...some rainbow creations.

Here are those marble paintings again!

Watercolor paint pictures.

Finishing the day with a story.

Back Yard Games!

In July of 2010 I was in charge of a church event where we enjoyed a bunch of outdoor games with the children.  Here are some pictures of our adventures!

Some stretching to warm up.

A little frisbee action.

My husband helping out at the wiffle ball game.

Hopscotch anyone?

Here I am lining up the kids for a game of Jump the River.  Let's see how they do!

Here's my Eliza jumping the river while it is still small...

My oldest, Andrew, takes a leap at a river that has grown!

Meet Katie and see the Back Yard!

 Hello everyone!  Thanks for visiting the Back Yard Club blog!  I'd love to introduce myself and tell you the Back Yard Club story.


At age of 14 I was hired to work at a creative arts camp in the Portland, Oregon area, where I grew up.  My four older sisters had worked there and I was next in line!  This summer camp had become a loved family tradition.  In fact, my younger sister followed suit a few years later.  I loved working with my family!  I began as an "apprentice assistant" in the preschool area of the camp (we called this part "Squirrel's Nest").  I took kids potty, wrote their names on projects, helped them say bye to Mommy, joined in their singing and dancing, and helped them create works of art.  As the years passed I was given more and more responsibility in the Squirrel's Nest.  My last couple years at camp I was the main teacher for the preschool class.  This camp began in a woman's back yard and grew to occupy an entire public park every summer.  It is this experience that has most motivated me to start a little camp of my own. I have lived in my home in Germantown for a little over two years.  These years I have dreamed of filling my beautiful yard with with children, projects, songs, and fun!


Although my camp experience in Oregon was most influential in starting Back Yard Club, I have many more experiences in teaching kids!  I graduated  in Elementary Education in 2000 and taught preschool for the following year.  I was blessed with a beautiful baby after that and began my career in Motherhood!  While raising my kids I have served many years in our church's children's organization.  There I have taught children from ages 3 to 12.  I hope you will entrust me with your little darlings and we can enjoy a week of fun together this summer!

My children and I on Mother's Day this year.

A few back yard close-ups.