Civic Duty, Child's Play

Kid Town Meeting helps more parents participate in Stow’s democracy. While adults attend the Town Meeting, kids ages 4–11 join a fun, educational program that teaches civic engagement through games, art, and voting activities. Held in the same building, the program is staffed by professionals, teen helpers, and community volunteers. It’s a simple way to support voters today—and raise engaged citizens for tomorrow.

Why do we need childcare?

Because democracy works best when everyone can participate—including parents of young children. Without childcare, many caregivers are forced to miss important decisions that affect their families, schools, and taxes. Offering a structured, safe, and educational program during Town Meeting removes this barrier, allowing more voices to be heard and strengthening our town’s democratic process.

It’s not a luxury—it’s access.

Will it cost the taxpayer who does not need child care anything?

Just like Camp Stow, a Parent's Night Out, or Platypus Society, parents could pay a participation fee. Taxpayers who do not need child care would obviously not be paying for it.

I didn't need a program when I had young children. Why should the town provide for you?

This isn’t about expecting the town to “provide” for families—it’s about making sure all residents have a fair chance to participate in our democracy. Just like Stow offers transportation for seniors, the warrant can be found online and via mail, or ADA accommodations for those who need them are made, this is about inclusion and access. When more people can show up and vote, the whole community benefits. This isn't about "being responsible for the kids" but about being responsive to the voters.

We never needed this and I've never heard of it before.

Voter participation is vital to the health of the community. Every family’s situation is different, and what worked before doesn’t always work for everyone today. This program is just one small, sustainable way to help more voters participate in Stow.

Many MA towns are providing services for cost or for free utilizing a civic structure already in place like a Recreation Department or School District. The below list is by no means exhaustive, as many towns are moving in the direction of having childcare for town meeting participants.

Acton - free for residents  

Ashland 

Concord

Essex

Grafton

Harvard - free for residents

Leverett

Marblehead  - free for residents

Medway

North Andover

Orleans

Tyngsboro

Wellfleet

Westford

Does having childcare at Town Meeting increase voting participation?

While data is limited, the pattern is clear: when childcare is available, voter turnout improves.

In May 2023  there were at least 193 voters, and 40 participants at Kid Town Meeting, in September 2023 there were 746 voters and, as KTM ran as a family night, we saw over 60 children and their families. In May 2024 there were 143 voters, and 15 kids at KTM, while the Monday, December 6, 2024 meeting had the lowest number of voters at 109 and we did not run KTM.

So if it works, why are you asking the town to take it over?

We are not asking—we are showing the town that this program is not only vital, it's easy. Our goal was never to run this program forever. From the start, we set out to prove a clear need, build a successful and repeatable model, and demonstrate that this kind of program isn’t just effective—it’s fun, simple to operate, does not require town funds to operate and is absolutely sustainable within the town’s existing civic infrastructure.

Are you sure it won't cost money?

Yes. If parents register and pay in advance—just like they do for other town programs—a modest fee of $25 per child easily covers the cost. For example, just 8 registered children would fully fund two staff members at approximately $18/hour for 5 hours. Any remaining funds would cover processing or credit card fees. The program is designed to be self-sustaining.

Isn't it distracting to have children nearby? 

Not at all—because the children aren’t in the meeting. They’re in a separate, supervised space within the same building, participating in a structured, age-appropriate program. It's similar to programs like “Parents’ Night Out” that the Rec Department already runs. The goal is to remove distractions from the meeting by giving kids a safe, engaging place to be—so parents can focus, vote, and fully participate in the democratic process.

Well, I still don't like it.

We hear you—and it’s okay to feel that way. Not every solution will resonate with everyone. But for many families, this program makes a real difference in their ability to participate in Town Meeting. Our goal isn’t to change what works for you—it’s to make sure more people have the same chance to show up, be heard, and vote. We can support that without taking anything away from others.