It’s time for Integrating the lessons of the year @WildCraftPlay.
Sending big thanks to all of our teachers, mentors, guides, ancestors, children and Nature for all of the gifts provided this year. This has been a whirl wind of incredible creation, completion, change and integration. Now it seems a good time to go within and allow the dust to settle.
As some of you know, I launched Wild Craft Play ‘sCool in September with gusto, some wild abandon, and a go-go mentality. After all the incredible feedback loops that have provided rich and nourishing information for me to chew on, the two programs Drawn by Nature and Wild Craft Play are on hold. I have been surprised with the number of families with youth with Autism who have contacted me since I have opened, and wonder how I might be of more support here?
There has also been many members of the community mentioning that “What you are up to is really great, I just wish I could participate.” This phenomenon is interesting, and mostly, I think it has to do with the fact that there are a lot of other activities being offered in the Oceanside area. YAY US! I’m so glad that kids are engaged! And, hmmm… how many of those things are outdoors? Any ideas of the number of outdoor programs being offered? I know that Island Pacific Adventures @HorneLakeCaves and #RLCParkservices are doing great work out there, and Home School communities are getting outside, I know that #ArrowsmithIndependentSchool is outside daily, and I am curious… what else are we doing to get kids outside.
Yesterday, I had a really great conversation with a friend and Professor at Vancouver Island University. We discussed this “systemic issue” of there not being enough drive or support, or sense of necessity to foster a deeper connection to nature, yet to me, after years in the field, and now an MA behind my name, I confidently say that Nature is medicine for the body, mind and soul. Rather than saying things like “It prevents Cancer” or “It can decrease obesity” I’d rather use positive and proactive words…
But ya know, nicey nice words just aren’t that punchy. “Get outside for your wellbeing.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” some say… So if you are going along in life, just being human beings, and doing human doings… then life is good, right? But what if we were THRIVING??? What if we were spawning children, youth and adults who were DOING SOMETHING about the plastic issues, the illegal dumping, and the who knows what elses on the planet.
What if we could be, do and have that which is most precious to us. I believe that if we just got our bodies active, engaged in our community and got outside, maybe we would choose to do more than just be alive… we could thrive. Maybe make a difference. I mean, don’t get me wrong, living is good and yay to those who live!! YAY.
I didn’t open Wild Craft Play ‘sCool just because I love it, and to make it all about me. I’m doing it, because I see a real need to support many different walks of life to get outside, encourage humanitarians in the world who become stewards of this land, and maybe I could make a different in my short existence on this planet. So, what am I doing about it?
Well, right now I’m getting out and having big conversations with potential stakeholders, offering presentations to a number of different organizations and finding out –
What do you need to make it easier to get kids outside in more enriching ways?
So, if you know of anyone that is seeking insight, advice, wants to know more about what is going on when it comes to getting kids outside, and teaching teachers to take kids outside, give me a call. I live in Nanoose, yet can travel across Vancouver Island. I could even come over to the mainland. I can be available for a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to contact me.
OH, and if you know of people who have already started the ball rolling to create solutions around the following, please, PLEASE let me know:
- Funding pots to sponsor programs and support teachers to get kids outside
- Tools and tricks to Risk Management and Group-Dynamic Management
- Training that already exists to train teachers in a) how to be safe outside with kids, and b) providing teachers with more outdoor experience…
I am all ears!
Wild Wishes for the Holidays everyone!