I'm hoping to get a little advice or hear some opinions about starting a playgroup that meets once a week in area natural spaces, such as county parks and nature preserves and hiking places. My goal is to have a standing play time once a week, so parents and kids can just count on showing up for an outing and meeting up with others. Does this sound like something that would be of interest to others? What kind of wording would catch your interest on a poster or a press release? Has anyone ever started a playgroup before and what advice would you have for someone like me? And also some practical considerations . . . would it be easier to meet at the same place every week? or rotate the same three places? or just plan a calendar of outings? Should this be more of an email group and we just announce outings from week to week? What would encourage you to want to participate?
Here are the needs I wish to meet for myself: I am a big believer in the idea that children benefit from unstructured play in natural spaces. My husband is a naturalist but I just enjoy being outdoors and so does my son. I have an only child, and we usually see the same two families for playdates every week, and one of them will not be available much this summer due to travel plans. My son's preschool (he goes 2x a week) will be over in May, and that will bring us from four social playtimes per week down to one or two--yikes! I need to make some summer plans, and much of what I've found so far seems very structured--soccer, gymnastics, swimming, things like that. There are usually children at the local playgrounds during the day, but as my son gets older he wants to build friendships and not just play with "random" children as much. And to tell you the truth sometimes on our hikes together I get a little freaked out about being alone together. Having a buddy makes it more fun and feels safer.
I'm hoping that by doing this I can meet my family's needs and also help other families, too. And I would appreciate any advice about how to bring this idea into fruition.
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Here are the needs I wish to meet for myself: I am a big believer in the idea that children benefit from unstructured play in natural spaces. My husband is a naturalist but I just enjoy being outdoors and so does my son. I have an only child, and we usually see the same two families for playdates every week, and one of them will not be available much this summer due to travel plans. My son's preschool (he goes 2x a week) will be over in May, and that will bring us from four social playtimes per week down to one or two--yikes! I need to make some summer plans, and much of what I've found so far seems very structured--soccer, gymnastics, swimming, things like that. There are usually children at the local playgrounds during the day, but as my son gets older he wants to build friendships and not just play with "random" children as much. And to tell you the truth sometimes on our hikes together I get a little freaked out about being alone together. Having a buddy makes it more fun and feels safer.
I'm hoping that by doing this I can meet my family's needs and also help other families, too. And I would appreciate any advice about how to bring this idea into fruition.
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