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You are here: Home / Archives for adventure play

adventure play

Anarchy on the Katie Show

May 23, 2014

Rusty Keeler with Katie

rusty-katieSo there I was, hanging out with my 2 year old son JJ on his favorite railroad tracks down by the river. We’d been throwing rocks in the water, crossing the railroad bridge hand in hand, and gleefully running down the tracks hollering for the train. I felt a buzz from my iphone, eventually checked it and it said, “hi my name is _______ and I am a producer for the Katie Couric show and I’d like to talk to you about being a guest for an upcoming show.” Huh?! It turned out not to be a friend pranking me but indeed a producer for the Katie show. They had been inspired by the recent cover story in The Atlantic, The Overprotected Kid and wanted to do a segment about this subject. (Have you read it? you really should. Go ahead. You can stop reading my post and check it out. I don’t mind) The article talks about many things we in the playground world care deeply about — from playgrounds being dulled down through standardized safety regulations (with most injury rates not actually going down), to the insanity of cutting school recess, to the myriad of reasons parents are petrified to let their kids go out and play, to all the thoughts and comparisons of the kinds and ranges of play we might have experienced as kids compared to “kids today”. This is all stuff we’ve been talking about for years, but this article was a new eye-opener and call to action because it also remarked that all this protectiveness and the “safety at all costs”  philosophy is not only not working, but in fact has awful costs and consequences. Ouch.

And would you believe what the article points to as a remedy to the overprotectedness of kids’ lives today? You guessed it: the rootsyness of Adventure Playgrounds! The author visited a now famous one in Wales called The Land. Have you seen pictures? It is pretty dang ugly. The first adventure playgrounds in Denmark in the 1940’s were called “Junk Playgrounds” and that name certainly fits The Land. A rugged lot with trees, mud, a small creek flowing through. Then storage sheds and junk, junk, junk. Old couches, mannequins, laundry baskets, tunnels, bits of anything you could imagine. And it looks just plain ugly…until you see the kids playing on it. And then, like all adventure playgrounds, it becomes amazingly beautiful. Kids freely playing, directing their own play, accessing and assessing their own risks, making mistakes, having triumphs, being kids and living a kid culture. Really, doing all the things you and your friends probably did when you were a kid. The article ends touting adventure playgrounds but like so many discussions on European adventure playgrounds it to asks “but could it happen in the USA?” US filmmaker Erin Davis is currently in production on a documentary about The Land called The Land. When asked if it can happen in the USA Erin says of course…and it’s already happening!

And that’s how Katie Couric found out about my adventure playground work with The Anarchy Zone at the Ithaca Children’s Garden. Erin pointed them to us as an example of a successful new american adventure playground, and after a long Q&A with a producer, before I knew it there I was—along with an Ithacan mom they selected to talk about who she appreciates her son playing at the Anarchy Zone — on a plane, then in a limo, then in a fancy hotel in NYC trying to get a good night’s sleep before we were set to shoot early the next morning. I won’t go into detail about the green room and makeup and nervous producers and nervous us and getting wired up then getting ushered through hallways and elevators and back rooms and back stage to finally getting to our places and waiting for Katie and the show to begin. Then it begins and there’s Erin Davis and Katie Couric talking about adventure playgrounds and all the wild shenanigans that go on, with pictures of adventure playgrounds and clips from Erin’s film and it’s like I’m having an out of body experience because this is really happening: national television, day time US talk shows, are highlighting adventure freaking playgrounds. I’m not making this up—I’m not. There was an earlier hayday of adventure playgrounds in the USA back, oh, in the 1970’s. But were they highlighted and talked about on the Merv Griffith show? Did Phil Donahue show images of kids sawing cardboard and playing with fire and climbing trees? I don’t remember seeing that. But it’s happening now. It’s so amazing! National debate about this is good. There needs to be a change. Children need to play. We need to do everything we can to help make that happen.

So then it was my turn. Katie turns to me and asks the questions. Like a deer in the headlights I do my best—talk about the Anarchy Zone and the amazing things that kids do there, answer the difficult question of why adventure playgrounds haven’t been as accepted in the US as they have been in Europe by gracefully saying essentially that the time is NOW, then my segment ends with me offering Americans suggestions of what they can do at home to promote more adventurous play. (“Give them shovels and let them dig holes in the back yard!”) Boom, done, over, and we’re rushed to the side of the stage for photos with Katie, ushered back stage to get the microphones off, then dumped back into the green room to collapse on a cushy couch. My goodness. An exciting experience to go through, an exciting opportunity to be a part of. But what is most exciting to me is that the play pendulum is finally swinging back to reality. The country, no, the world is talking about the mistake of overprotecting our children and we’re now collectively, collaboratively reaching for the answers to fix it. I’m on board. I can feel the tide changing. Can you?

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(this story first appeared in the Play and Playground News Center)

Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, adventure playground, adventure playground movement, adventure playground renaissance, katie couric, rusty keeler, the anarchy zone

The Smoldering Fire of Progress….

March 26, 2014

adventure play

So there I was, heading to the Hands-on-Nature Anarchy Zone at the Ithaca Children’s Garden. It was winter play camp week during the winter break and I was coming to hang with the kids and see what sort of fun things were happening. I arrived mid-morning and was excited to check out the scene. Much to my surprise as I pulled up: nobody was there. It was a beautiful sunny day — the perfect day for outside winter camp — but where was everybody? I could see a small drift of smoke from the where the campfire is located—but no one there? I don’t get it. I gather my stuff and get out of the car and head to the fire and picnic table, all the while trying to solve this puzzle. Nobody was in the garden anywhere. “They wouldn’t have left. No way! What the heck is going on?” I set my things down, poke the fire a little bit then stop and look up and there’s the answer: everybody—the kids and all the playworkers— were across the way sledding and having fun. Perfect! Of course!  Mystery solved! Too funny. Eventually everybody makes their way back to the garden, happily pooped and ready for lunch: hotdogs roasted over the fire. Perfect timing, Keeler!

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What a relaxed and happy scene. Some kids roasting the dogs, some kids taking a break, one kid in a tree, playworkers sharpening hotdog sticks and blowing on the fire. After lunch kids played games in a willow tunnel while a group of playworkers made a humongous snowball and rolled it to a central location. Much fun was had climbing on the tall snow sculpture, jumping off, and finally sliding down the snow slide we built—an idea of one of the kids. It wasn’t until I got home and started looking at pictures from the day that it dawned on me: something special is going on. A change is underway. More than a decade ago I visited a number of adventure playgrounds in Germany and took loads of pictures of what I saw. These were amazing places filled with kid-built wooden structures, farm animals, wild gardens, and loose parts. One of my favorite shockers in the slideshow would always be the one of an untended fire, smoldering away with nobody around—as if audiences would think it was crazy and totally impossible to imagine that happening in our country. And yes, back then it was a bit shocking. Conversations were just starting about how to bring plants and dirt to children’s spaces. But with this fire i realized how far we have come and that we’ve taken it to the next level. At this moment in time there are adults everywhere rethinking the “safety at all costs” attitude and finding ways to apply common sense to children’s play opportunities.  Adults everywhere are finding ways to say yes to children’s play—yes to climbing trees, building fires, growing food, tending animals and kids building their own worlds with loose parts and tools.

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Now, saying yes is great, but it’s not that simple of course, is it? (at least not that simple for we adults. it’s quite simple for kids: we say yes and the kids go play) There are many factors to consider and many hoops to jump through for us to feel comfortable with yes. But that’s ok. We’re ready. And together we’re making doing it. We’re making great strides and inspiring each other to support children’s play in greater and more interesting ways. At the recent US Play Coalition conference at Clemson University in South Carolina much of the talk revolved around communities working together to increase children’s play opportunities and at the same time actually looking at the benefits of risk, rather than only the management and removal of risk. How refreshing! How interesting. And how beneficial to the lives of children.
I’m inspired, amazed, and excited to watch this adventure play renaissance unfolding. But don’t get me wrong. Leaving fires unattended is not the end-all be-all goal of this movement. The goal is freedom to play. What excites me about that fire is what led up to that fire’s very existence:

  • Interested adults committing to enriching the lives of children through play
  • An organization willing to create host a site for adventurous play
  • Thorough conversations about play and risk benefits
  • Intensive playwork training and self-reflective practice
  • Financial support – from both governmental and non-profit organizations
  • Community support in building and visiting the space
  • Trust and communication with children (and parents)
  • Interest in not just summer camp but winter camp too
  • Interest in having fires to cook on and support for children around the fire
  • Trust in community, kids, and the site to have a fire and even be able to leave it unattended from time to time

When you see children in free play it seems so obvious, natural, normal. And it is. But to make it happen today it often takes thoughtful conversations and careful planning by adults. And while that hasn’t necessarily been the natural thought process adults in recent times—in schools, parks, neighborhoods—the times they are a-changing. And we’re finding more ways every day of saying yes to children’s play.

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Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, adventure playground, children and fire, natural playground, natural playscapes, nature play, overprotected kid, rusty keeler

Rainy Day with BUILDER BOARDS

June 6, 2013

Too much fun!  Another Tuesday and another Adventure School gathering. But this time it was a dark and rainy day. So what do we do? Well, first we all tromp through the woods in the downpour to visit a neighbor’s farm with sheep, horses, and a donkey of course! (there’s “no bad weather, just bad clothing”, right?)  Then we decide to head back to our barn-studio, crank up the little wood stove (this is June in upstate New York remember) and have fun inside. We made a giant blanket fortress, played with clay, cranked funky music by The Meters, then broke out the BUILDER BOARDS!! Yeah!  Check out the fun with these beautiful wood building boards. Kids love them. Adults do too. And all ages can get in on the fun. Nice! Did I mention we make and sell Builder Boards? We love them and want to share them with the world. What you see here is a mini kit. We also sell a huge kit. Endless possibilities for construction, collaboration, and creativity. You know you want a set of these! (I especially love the wacky 3D sculpture at the end) What do you think?

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Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, construction play, loose parts, loose parts play

MUD! it’s ok, mamas and papas….

May 14, 2013

natural playscape

So we all know kids love mud and puddles and jumping in mud and puddles. And yes, we parents know it too – but do we like it? Not always! And now schools and childcare centers are intentionally allowing and encouraging children to explore the mud and mess? Oh my goodness! How do teachers handle that? How do they talk about the positive impact on children’s learning and exploration to parents? How do they help parents understand? How do they make it work??

Check out this fine example of a “we love mud’ flier recently posted for parents to see at the wonderful Center for Child Development at Kansas State University. Not only do they share the positive learning potentials with parents, but they even invite the parents to join in the process. Nice job!

Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, childcare center, early childhood, mud, mud day, mud play, natural playground, nature play, playscape, water play

Another kid loving a creek…

April 9, 2013

Another kid loving a little creek… but this time it’s my own 15-month old JJ!  Out on a family hike we passed a tiny drainage creek flowing under the trail. JJ heard the trickle  and immediately wanted to get down and investigate. Amazing. We know kids love water, and feel connected to the elements. A kinship even. And here it was happening anew with this little guy. Together we checked the creeklet out, listened to the burbling, threw little rocks in, then of course it was time to step into the flow. Sploosh! Kids want to investigate water and see how it works. They love squishing and touching. You know it’s true. All we need to do as adults is create opportunities for children to connect with water and  the natural living world. (oh, and provide  mud boots!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog, water play Tags: adventure play, creeks and kids, nature play, play, toddler play, water play, woods

East Atlanta Playscape DESIGN!

April 5, 2013

hey y’all – check out our fun new design for The Highlander School in Atlanta, started by the amazing Rukia Rogers! We’ll be doing a volunteer construction day in 2 weeks – if you’re in the neighborhood stop by. The more the merrier! (and yes: those are SHEEP you see grazing!!!!)

 

Categories: DIY, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, community, design, natural playground, natural playscapes, natuyra, play, playscape, rusty keeler, swarm build, water play

Adventure School meets The Anarchy Zone!

December 2, 2012

So if you remember, I’ve been working with local friends to create a day-a-week traveling “forest school” for our preschool-age kids — “Adventure School” . Each week we pick a different family’s land to visit where the children can explore, play, create, construct, balance, and build fires. We’ve visited forests in fall, creeks in summer, farms, fields, hills, and hollows with more kids and families joining the crew each session.

“Who’s place this week?” is the normal question we pose on our email list.

“How about The Anarchy Zone??” someone recently suggested.

YES! The Anarchy Zone and Adventure School: a perfect meeting of philosophies and ideas: a place to explore and dig and balance and take risks (careful about falling in the chilly deep mud puddle!) while celebrating children’s natural curiosities, creativity, and connection to the natural world. Success! Take a peek….





Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, adventure playground, forest kindergarten, natural playground, natural playscapes, nature play, playwork, wonder

Adventure School Group – in session!

September 13, 2012




Friends and I have been dreaming of starting an adventure school and this week we began the first Tuesday of the Adventure School Group’s 2012-13 school year. Yay!  Inspired by forest schools and nature kindergartens we are starting with a one-day-a-week morning adventure session rotating between various locations. (some families live by a creek. others on a farm. others in the forest.) Each week a different location but with a common theme: child-led adventure and discovery. Ages range from 8 months to 7 years. Here is the post-adventure write up from Miss Maggie, adventure leader extraordinaire, day one. And check out our blog. Fun stuff!

 

As the first adventurers showed up to play, so did a tiny, baby chipmunk!

The morning was chilly, but Nick had a bonfire going to welcome everyone.

We walked down to the creek, fished and climbed all over the rocks.

Then we took a nice, long walk up the creek and found more fallen trees to climb on.

Some of the folks scrambled through the woods back to the house,

while the others walked back down the creek.

We ended the morning with a picnic in the sun to dry us out!!

“JJ chased, and pet, and chased again the chipmunk we saw.”

Taryn, “I caught a fish”

Coulter, “I was fishing too!”

Alden, “I got a fish too. I just holded on and one bite-ed onto it!”

Nimah, “We got WET!”

“EmmyLou touched the fish in the bowl.”

Amani, “I was holding the fish.”

Alden, “I was holding the fish too!”

“JJ tasted lots of rocks and dipped his toes in the water. He also touched a fish.”

We all had a wonderful morning! Can’t wait for next Tuesday’s Adventure!!

 

Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog, water play Tags: adventure play, adventure school, forest kindergarten, natural playscapes, nature play, outside, water play, wonder, woods

Anarchy Zone: one, TV: zero.

August 30, 2012

adventure play

Here’s a glimpse at some of the funky fort building happening at the Anarchy Zone at the Ithaca Children’s Garden. Notice the negotiation between the girl in white and her mom to stay (inside the den) a half hour longer. At around 1:40 of the video the mom says “this half hour is instead of watching your show” into the hole in the straw bale fort, and the girl happily stays inside. Anarchy Zone: one, TV: zero. That’s what we’re talking about, right?

Anarchy Zone: one, TV: zero from rusty keeler on Vimeo.

Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, adventure playground, den building, fort building, natural playground, natural playscapes, playwork, rusty keeler

Vintage Adventure Playground Film

August 29, 2012

natural playscape

OK, my absolute new love is ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS. You know about these, right? Started after WWII – children playing with loose parts, rubble, scrap building materials to build their own play and playgrounds. The phenomenon caught on first in Europe and is still going strong in many cities. (Berlin has over 100 adventure playgrounds today). One of the key components to the adventure playground is the adult PLAYWORKER – being mostly hands-off, but keeping a careful eye on the goings-on. There were adventure playgrounds all over North American way back when too. Now there is only a few…. but they are coming back. The Adventure Play Renaissance is happening! Let’s do it!

check out this amazing vintage film of a British Adventure Playground back in the day:
(click to watch)

HOME-MADE PLAYGROUND

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Categories: Adventure Play, Earthplay Blog Tags: adventure play, adventure playground, play, playwork

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