Pages & Petals

Pages & Petals – Youth Writing Adventure
Then vs. Now: Keeping the Generation Gap at Bay

This storytelling Adventure is a community-wide, intergenerational writing experience where children and youth explore how life has changed from then to now—and share those discoveries as handwritten Adventures with local senior citizens.

Many seniors may have no idea what a meme is (and that’s part of the fun).

By inviting young writers to explain today’s world while learning firsthand about the past, this Adventure creates meaningful connections through storytelling, imagination, and reflection.

 This is more than a writing contest.
It’s a bridge between ages, experiences, and stories.

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Who Can Participate

Children in Kindergarten–9th grade from public, private, faith-based, and homeschool settings are welcome.

The Adventure is open to families across the Yakima Valley, including communities from Ellensburg to Sunnyside and surrounding areas.

Participation is based on age, not school type.

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Adventure Theme: Then vs Now

Stories explore how life has changed from then to now, with room for creativity and imagination. Young Adventurers will choose from a provided list of Adventure categories.

Adventures may include:

• Light research and reflection
• History, memory, and growth
• Meaningful comparisons across generations

Spanish-language submissions are welcome. Adventures may be written in Spanish or bilingual (Spanish/English).)

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Required Format (Non-Negotiable)

• All entries must be handwritten by the child
• Illustrations are encouraged at all ages
• A typed backup copy is required for clarity

Typed copies do not replace handwritten work. They ensure the child’s voice is clearly understood.

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Age & Length Guidelines (Quality Over Quantity)

• K–1: Illustrations + 1–2 words or short phrase
• Grades 2–3: A few sentences or short paragraph
• Grades 4–6: One handwritten page encouraged
• Grades 7–9: 1–2 handwritten pages encouraged

Creativity and effort matter more than spelling or grammar.

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Tutor Guidelines

Tutors and adults may:

• Help brainstorm ideas
• Assist with spelling and structure

Tutors may not:

• Rewrite the child’s work
• Replace the child’s voice

Encourage—don’t edit.

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Required Online Sign-Up (Adult Only)

Before submitting any entry, a parent or legal guardian must register at PeachTreeRetirement.com.

• Sign-ups open on or after March 10, 2026
• Adults must read and agree to all policies, procedures, and media guidelines
• A valid working email address is required
• A backup email is strongly recommended

⚠️ No online sign-up = no entry accepted, regardless of the child’s age.

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Email Matching Rule (Very Important)

The email(s) written on the submission must exactly match the email(s) used during online registration.

If a backup email is provided online, both emails must appear on:

• The handwritten entry
• The typed backup copy

If emails cannot be matched, the entry cannot be accepted.

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Gaurdian Contact Information (Helpful & Important)

To help us keep each Adventure organized and ensure we can celebrate every child properly, please include the following on each Adventure story, illustration, and draft page:

• Primary adult email address written clearly on the back of each page
• Backup adult email address (strongly encouraged) written on the back of each page
• Adult phone number written on the back of each page (required)

The primary email must match the email used during online registration. If you include a backup email in the online form, that same backup email must also appear on the back of all submitted materials.

This simple step helps prevent delays if an email fails and ensures we can contact you if pages become separated.

Please also include on each creative Adventure submission:

• Child’s first name only
• Child’s age

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Encouraged Creativity & Drafting

We encourage children to:

• Include drawings, sketches, or illustrations at any age
• Use draft pages or practice sheets as part of their creative process
• Explore ideas freely before choosing their final story

Creativity is part of the journey. Drafts, drawings, and imagination are always welcome.

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Media, Photography & Story Sharing

Pages & Petals is a celebratory, community-based experience centered on youth creativity and senior wisdom. As part of the Pages & Petals Young Writers Adventure and related events, including the Pages & Petals Mother’s Day Bazaar, children’s written work, artwork, and event moments may be photographed, filmed, video recorded, or written about for community celebration, documentation, and promotion.

Stories and images may be shared through official websites and social media platforms, event displays and recaps, printed or digital storytelling features, and local or regional news coverage.

Content may be shared by Peach Tree Retirement Center, Pages & Petals, Testify Swag Official – Statement Wear Announcing God, Che’y’s Dessert Delights, Peach Tree residents and affiliates, participating sponsors and community partners, and media outlets covering the event.

When children are identified publicly, we use first name only, age, and Adventure Recognition status (if applicable). Adult names, contact information, and private family details are not published.

Families who prefer limited media exposure may request reasonable accommodations, such as story-only images or photos without faces, by emailing PeachTreeMedia1@gmail.com in advance and requesting to speak with Barbara Ziegler. Families should also mention their request on the day of the event so staff can help identify and honor the preference.

Please note: Pages & Petals events take place in public and community settings. While official event media is managed by the organizers, we cannot control photos or videos captured by other attendees.

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Mail-In Learning Experience

Children are encouraged to mail their completed Adventure. This is intentional and teaches:

• How to address an envelope
• How to mail a letter
• A real-life “then vs now” skill

Yes—stamps still matter. 😉
Parents may guide, but the work must be the child’s.

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Drop-Off Option (Still a Real Letter!)

For families who choose the drop-off option, entries must still be treated like real mail:

• All Adventures must be placed in an envelope
• The envelope must be addressed just like a mailed letter

This keeps the experience consistent and helps children learn how mail works—part of the Then vs Now journey. Drop off times are from 12:30pm to 5:00 pm

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A Fun Privacy Option 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

If confidentiality is a concern, children may use a creative or superhero-style return address (for example: Captain Creativity, Story City).

That’s totally okay—and fun.

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Practice Makes Confident Writers ✏️

Children are encouraged to practice by:

• Drawing or sketching first
• Drafting ideas on scrap paper
• Practicing writing the address
• Drawing or practicing the stamp area

This practice stage is part of the learning adventure.

👉 Adult assistance is allowed only for Kindergarten–1st Grade when:

• Writing the address
• Labeling the envelope
• Helping prepare the final mailing

For older age groups, encouragement is welcome—but the work should remain the child’s.

Approved drop-off dates, times, and locations will be posted only on:

• Peach Tree Retirement Center Facebook
• Testify Swag Official – Statement Wear Announcing God Facebook

If it’s not posted, it’s not available.

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Participation, Awards & Mother’s Day Celebration

The Celebration Experience

The Writers Celebration & Acknowledgment takes place as part of the broader Pages & Petals Mother’s Day Experience—a warm, community-centered gathering that includes music, food, creative activities, and moments designed to honor mothers, caregivers, seniors, and families.

While this gathering includes a marketplace-style element, it is intentionally designed to be more than a bazaar. It is a shared Mother’s Day experience where families linger, connect, listen, celebrate creativity, and enjoy meaningful time together.

The Young Writers Adventure is a featured and honored part of this experience, with the celebration centered on the children and their stories.

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Every Child Is Celebrated

Pages & Petals is designed so every participating child leaves encouraged and honored.

Each child who submits an Adventure receives:

• A FREE Mother’s Day gift to give to their adult loved one (mother or mother-figure)
• A Pages & Petals goodie bag as a thank-you for participating

There is no “perfect” story—only authentic ones.

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Award Levels & Finalists

Each Adventure category includes up to three Adventure Recognition acknowledgments, reflecting different strengths and ways of storytelling:

• Keeping the Generation Gap at Bay Recognition
• Then vs Now Journey Recognition
• Young Writers Adventurer Acknowledgment

These recognitions are not ranked. Each honors a different aspect of storytelling.

A Writer Finalist is a participating child whose Adventure has been selected for special recognition and public acknowledgment.

Finalists are selected and voted on by Peach Tree Retirement Center residents, in collaboration with Testify Swag Official – Statement Wear Announcing God, and supported by Resident Ambassadors and the Pages & Petals Community Committee.

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Writers Celebration – Mother’s Day Gathering

📍 Pages & Petals Mother’s Day Bazaar
🗓 Saturday, May 10, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – Writers Celebration & Acknowledgment

The Writers Celebration takes place on May 9, 2026, in honor of Mother’s Day and as part of our annual Pages & Petals gathering.

At 2:00 PM, finalists are posted and celebrated at the Pages & Petals booth. Families can:

• Celebrate their child’s Adventure
• Find out which Adventure Recognition their child received
• Meet Peach Tree residents and senior judges
• Meet sponsors, vendors, and community partners

This celebration is joyful, encouraging, and designed for families—not pressure.

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Prize List Preview

We’re excited to share this curated list of trending, top-notch prize ideas for 2026! Please note that prizes and values are subject to change as we finalize sponsorships and adapt to new and exciting opportunities. We’ll keep everything fresh, relevant, and age-appropriate—always with the goal of creating an unforgettable experience for our participants.

Potential Prizes by Age Category

K-1 (Ages 5-6)

1. Furby DJ Interactive Toy ($60) – Massive 32-inch interactive Furby with 1,000+ songs, games, and lights for screen-free fun and nostalgia.
2. Magnet Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set ($108) – Magnetic building tiles for 3D STEM creations, expandable and educational.
3. VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX4 ($40) – Kid-safe smartwatch with games, camera, and apps for tech play.

2-3 (Ages 7-8)

1. Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Exploration Kit ($35) – 100+ circuit projects teaching electricity with snap-together parts.
2. Lego Creator 3-in-1 Exotic Parrot ($20) – Transformable animal building set for creative replay.
3. Klutz Bath Bomb Scented Bakery Craft Kit ($20) – DIY scented bath bombs for sensory self-care.
4. Guardian Ethos 24″ Bike ($349) – Safe, lightweight bike with SureStop brakes and gears, ideal for outdoor adventures (local Yakima tie-in: customizable at Bearded Monkey Cycling).

3-4 (Ages 9-10)

1. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game ($19) – 60 logic puzzles with marble runs for critical thinking.
2. Beyblade X Jurassic World Collab Set ($24) – Dino-themed spinning tops for battles and collecting.
3. 3Doodler Start Plus 3D Printing Pen ($50) – Safe pen for 3D art with eco-friendly materials.

4-5 (Ages 10-11)

1. GoCube Smart Rubik’s Cube ($50) – App-connected cube with tutorials and battles for puzzle skills.
2. Lego Minecraft The Creeper Ambush ($39) – Game-inspired building set for digital-physical play.
3. Kids Instant Print Camera ($40) – Rechargeable camera with instant prints and filters.

6-7 (Ages 12-13)

1. Nex Playground Motion-Tracked Console ($200) – AR gaming system for active, controller-free play.
2. Micro Kickboard Sprite LED Scooter ($135) – Foldable scooter with light-up wheels for mobility.
3. What Do You Meme? Family Edition ($20) – Group card game for social humor.

8-9 (Ages 14-15)

1. Nintendo Switch 2 ($300) – Hybrid console with enhanced graphics for games like Zelda (grand prize for faith-based/local business categories).
2. Jewelry Making Kit ($50) – Trendy, customizable jewlery for fashion.
3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera ($70) – Compact instant camera with accessories for social media.

Universal Alternates (For Any Age Category, as Grand Prize Swaps)

These 5 top prizes are highly desired by all ages (5-15) and can replace or add to any category for excitement:

1. DJI Neo Pocket Drone ($229) – Mini drone with 4K camera for aerial fun.
2. Segway Ninebot C2 Pro Kids Electric Scooter ($299) – Electric scooter with lights and app controls.
3. Apple iPad (11th Gen) 64GB WiFi + Kids Case ($399) – Tablet for gaming, learning, and apps.
4. LEGO Jurassic World T-Rex Breakout + Dino Fossils Set Bundle ($150) – Interactive dino building bundle.
5. Foamnasium Blocksy Play Couch + Fort Kit ($399) – Giant foam blocks for forts and play.

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Why It Matters

In a fast-moving world, generations can drift apart without meaning to.

Pages & Petals brings them back together—through stories, memories, laughter, and shared celebration.

That’s how we keep the generation gap at bay.
One Adventure at a time.

✅ Pages & Petals Young Writers Adventure

Parent / Guardian Checklist

🧑‍💻 1. Online Registration (REQUIRED – Adult Only)

☐ Visit PeachTreeRetirement.com
☐ Complete the full registration form
☐ Registration opens on or after March 1, 2026
☐ Use a valid working email address
☐ Add a backup email (strongly recommended)
☐ Read and agree to all policies, procedures, and media guidelines

🚫 No online registration = no entry accepted

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✍️ 2. Help Your Child Prepare Their Adventure

☐ Child is in Kindergarten–9th grade
☐ Theme: Then vs. Now
☐ Child chooses a writing category from the provided list
☐ Story is 100% handwritten by the child
☐ Illustrations included (encouraged at all ages)
☐ Typed backup copy created (for clarity only)

📏 Length Guidelines

• K–1: Drawings + 1–2 words or short phrase
• Grades 2–3: A few sentences or short paragraph
• Grades 4–6: One handwritten page encouraged
• Grades 7–9: 1–2 handwritten pages encouraged

✨ Creativity and effort matter more than spelling or grammar.

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🧠 3. Adult Help Rules (Very Important)

✔ Adults may:

• Brainstorm ideas
• Help with spelling and structure
• Encourage creativity

❌ Adults may NOT:

• Rewrite the child’s work
• Replace the child’s voice

📬 Addressing help is allowed only for K–1 students

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📨 4. Email Matching Rule (Critical)

☐ The primary email used during online registration is written clearly on:

• The handwritten entry (back of each page)
• The typed backup copy

☐ If a backup email was used online, it must also appear on:

• Handwritten pages
• Typed backup copy

🚫 If emails don’t match exactly, the entry cannot be accepted

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📝 5. Information Required on EVERY Page (Back of Each Page)

☐ Child’s first name only
☐ Child’s age
☐ Primary adult email (must match registration)
☐ Backup email (if provided online)
☐ Adult phone number (required)

🧩 This helps prevent lost pages and delays.

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✉️ 6. Submission Method

Choose ONE option:

📬 Mail-In (Preferred Learning Experience)

☐ Place entry in an envelope
☐ Address envelope correctly
☐ Apply a stamp
☐ Child participates in mailing the letter

📦 Drop-Off (Still Treated as Mail)

☐ Entry placed in an envelope
☐ Envelope fully addressed like real mail
☐ Drop-off only during posted times
☐ Check Facebook pages for approved dates/times

📢 Drop-off details are posted ONLY on:

• Peach Tree Retirement Center Facebook
• Testify Swag Official Facebook

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🦸‍♀️ 7. Optional Privacy Choice

☐ If desired, child may use a creative return address
(e.g., Captain Creativity, Story City)

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📸 8. Media & Privacy Awareness

☐ Understand event photography/video may occur
☐ Children are identified publicly by first name, age, and recognition only
☐ If requesting limited media exposure:

• Email PeachTreeMedia1@gmail.com
• Ask to speak with Barbara Ziegler
• Notify staff on the day of the event

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🎉 9. Event Day – Mother’s Day Celebration

📍 Peach Tree Retirement Center
📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – Writers Celebration

☐ Attend the Pages & Petals Mother’s Day Bazaar
☐ Visit the Pages & Petals booth at 2:00 PM
☐ See finalist postings and recognitions
☐ Celebrate your child’s Adventure
☐ Meet senior judges and community partners

💛 Every child receives:

• A FREE Mother’s Day gift to give a mom or mom-figure
• A Pages & Petals goodie bag

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🌟 10. Important Reminders

☐ Participation does not require winning to be celebrated
☐ Vendor children may participate (judging is fair and independent)
☐ This is about connection, confidence, and creativity

Have questions?
Visit our Pages & Petals Frequently Asked Questions page for details about the event, youth writing adventure, vendors, and more.