I'm a Kids-Fair Buddy! 
And I have some questions...

As a Buddy, you are committing to attend Kids-Fair on March 6, 2009, and interact with your elementary school kid. Please scroll through these Frequently Asked Questions to see if your question is already answered here. If you still have questions, please contact kidsfair@umich.edu.

General Information  (back to top)

When is Kids-Fair and how long will it last?

Kids-Fair is March 6, 2009 at Crisler Arena and runs from 9:30am to 1:00pm. There are five hours of fun-filled enjoyment for you and your little kid!

The schedule for the day is as follows:

9:30am	Kids arrive at Crisler Arena
9:50am-10:05am	Opening Ceremonies
10:05am-10:40am	Shift 1
10:40am-11:15am	Shift 2
11:15am-11:55am	Lunch
11:55am-12:30pm	Shift 3
12:30pm-1:05pm	Shift 4
1:05pm	Closing Ceremony
1:05pm	Kids depart from Crisler

What is a buddy?

A buddy is a person who volunteers to spend time with a child at Kids-Fair. During Kids-Fair you will travel through Crisler Arena with an elementary school student and take part in hundreds of activities sponsored by U-M student groups. If you are a K-grams pen pal you will be paired up with your specific pen pal. If you are not a pen pal, we will pair you with an elementary school student.

Anyone student can be a buddy. All you have to do is sign up and be there on the big day.  So get your roommates, siblings, friends, and anyone else you can think of to sign up.

How do I sign up to be a buddy? 

You can sign-up online by clicking here.

On Your Way to Kids-Fair (back to top)

How do I get to Kids-Fair? 

Just hop on the Southbound Commuter bus from any of the many bus stops on campus.  The bus will drop you off right in front of Crisler Arena, on south campus. From there just follow the signs to the entrance. You can pick up the bus at:

• Pierpont Commons
• Directly behind Markley (Corner of East Hospital Dr. and East Medical Center)
• Across from Alice Lloyd (Corner of Observatory St. and Ann St)
• CC Little
• Next to East Quad (Corner of Willard St. and East U.)
• Undergrad Library (South University at Tappan Ave)
• Union (on South U)
• IM Building

For more information on the bus, please email kidsfair@umich.edu or review the full bus schedule here.

How often do the buses run? 

Every 10 to 15 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long.  Please plan ahead and try to be a few minutes early. 

Where do I go when I get to Crisler Arena? 

Simply go up the steps into the main entrance. From there, just stop at the Main Check-In, pick up an official program and map, then you'll be directed to the zone where your kid is. 

What is the color system?

Every school is designated a color and will have corresponding name tags.  When you check into Kids-Fair, you will find out the color of your buddy’s school.  You will be directed to the correct zone from the Main Check-In. 

What is a buddy station? 

A buddy station is a booth with all your vital Kids-Fair information.  They are located between the concourse and service tunnel in Crisler, as well as on the main floor and can be easily located by the bright orange signs. After checking in at the Main Check-In, please use the Buddy Stations to help you find your pen pal, little kid, or anything else you may need. 

What’s the difference between a pen pal and a buddy? 

The term “buddy” refers to all big kid volunteers that spend the day with a little kid at Kids-Fair.  Buddies can be pen pals or non-pen pal volunteers. 

What to know at Kids-Fair (back to top)

What are my responsibilities as a Kids-Fair buddy? 

By signing up to be a buddy, you are making the commitment to attend Kids-Fair on March 6 2009. Please do not miss it...the kids are counting on you!

As a buddy, you will spend the day with your little kid(s) by visiting the many different activity booths sponsored by various student organizations.

What is a color captain? 

Essentially, a color captain’s role is to gather and direct a school’s teachers and kids throughout the day.  There will be more than one school in each zone. Your color captain will be wearing their designated color and waving their color flag.  Please feel free to utilize your color captains; they will be able to answer all your questions.

How will I know when to switch zones? 

The color captains in each zone will give a five minute warning to have kids and their buddies finish up their activities.  When it is time to switch, “The Victors” will play over the loudspeaker.  At this time, follow your color captain to the next zone. How many zones are there? There are four zones: three on the concourse, one on the main floor.  Everyone will have the same amount of time in each zone so please do not wander between zones.  Your color captain will let you know when it’s time to switch. 

Will lunch be provided or should I pack my own? 

Lunch will be provided for those buddies who are at Crisler during the lunch shift and have volunteered for 4 or more hours.

Will I know who my little kid is before Kids-Fair?

If you are a K-grams pen pal, you will be paired up with your specific elementary pal. If you are a pen pal, you can also meet your elementary pen pal by attending classroom projects or letter deliveries. If you are not a pen pal, you will be paired up with an elementary student at Kids-Fair. You can meet many of the great little kids through the many daily projects. Either way, the little kids will be happy to meet you and are looking forward to spending the day with you.  

Will I have just one little kid? 

Not necessarily.  We hope to have enough buddies for every little kid, but we know that conflicts do arise and this may not be possible.  Most likely, the little kids will pair up and in this case you will have a few little kids to help you enjoy your day. 

Will I get a confirmation before Kids-Fair? 

You will be notified via email the week of Kids-Fair as a reminder. You can check the shifts you've signed up for directly on the web by emailing us to confirm. Please email kidsfair@umich.edu with any questions. 

Do I have to be there all day? 

Your pen pal hopes to see you the entire day, but we understand that conflicts do arise.  In this case, it is your responsibility to find a friend (or more!) for the shifts that you cannot attend.  This is also a great opportunity to get a student group involved by encouraging them to provide buddies.       

So you're at Kids-Fair and... (back to top)

What happens if I can't show up at the last minute? 

The kids will be counting on you to be there and will be very disappointed if they do not have a buddy.  If a conflict arises you MUST find someone to replace you. 

What if my pen pal doesn't come to Kids-Fair? 

In the event that your pen pal does not come to Kids-Fair you will have the chance to interact with other little kids. 

What if I have to leave in the middle of a shift? 

It is your responsibility to explain to your kid why you need to leave. Before you leave Crisler, please find another buddy for your kid(s) to be with for the rest of the day. 

What if my kid starts to feel sick or gets hurt? 

Hopefully this will not happen, but there is a first aid station located in the concourse in Zone D.  Simply follow the signs to reach a first aid station or ask a color captain for assistance. 

What if I lose my kid? 

In the event that you become separated from your kid, find a color captain as soon as possible and they will help you relocate him/her. 

What if my kid says something insensitive to a student group, other kids, etc.? 

In this case, please use your judgment to better the situation. Then redirect your kid to a different location, and make sure to inform a color captain of the situation before you leave for the day. 

What if my kid doesn't want to leave the zone? 

Unfortunately, everyone needs their fair amount of time in each zone. Please explain that other kids need to have a turn.  Also, encourage your kid not to spend too much time at any single activity so that they may enjoy as many booths as possible. 

What if my kid gets bored or finishes all activities in the zone? 

While this is highly unlikely, it is still possible.  If your little kid is bored, try suggesting going back to his or her favorite booth or finding a friend to swap stories with for a few minutes.    

What is this year's Kids-Fair theme?

This year's theme is Kids Karnival! Crisler will be decked out just like you were at an old-time carnival!