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In novel approach to spur civic engagement, 8th graders to host childcare for April 4 town meeting

A child care service for Blue Hill’s town meeting is designed to foster greater civic participation, organizers say. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

March 24, 2026

By John Boit

BLUE HILL–The 8th grade class of Blue Hill Consolidated School, with their advisor Amy Bebell, will be providing childcare for children ages 2-10 at this year’s Blue Hill town meeting on Saturday, April 4.

Organizers say the service—the first of its kind to be offered by the town—is meant to encourage town meeting attendance by parents and caregivers of young children, as well as to foster young interest in civic engagement. 

"The annual town meeting is democracy in action, and it is important for it to be accessible to community members, including parents and caregivers of young children,” said Blue Hill select board member Amanda Woog. “We hope that by having on-site childcare, community members who have found it challenging to participate in the past will be able to attend and have their voices heard."

Parents and caregivers are welcome to bring their children to the library at Blue Hill Consolidated School beginning at 8:30 a.m. Snacks will be provided. Interested families may RSVP through an online signup. The open portion of Blue Hill’s town meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on April 4 in the gymnasium at Blue Hill Consolidated School.

On April 3, the day before the open town meeting, voters will also have the chance to cast their ballots on other specific warrant articles at town hall, where polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the election of officers and to vote on George Stevens Academy’s request for supplemental tuition fees.

There will be no charge for childcare, although residents may “thank” the 8th-grade class by donating to their class trip fundraiser via cash or Venmo at the town meeting.

"The 8th graders love participating in activities that support the community and are looking forward to doing what they can to make it easier for parents of young children to attend Town Meeting,” said Amy Bebell, who teaches science at the school. “They can't directly engage in town politics yet, but there are plenty of other ways for them to have civic engagement.”