“I attended a LEAP event this summer with my kids and they had a great time,” said TIE President, Laura Snodgrass. “I thought it would be great to offer this to all the kids at our school.” Snodgrass talked with R.C. Waters Elementary Principal, Karen Gruber, who agreed that this sounded like a wonderful opportunity for her students.
“Having the children participate in the pop-up playground will be a great extension of the classroom and will engage the children in critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity,” said Gruber. “It will be fun to see how the recyclable materials will be transformed throughout the day.”
From 8:15 to about 2pm, groups of 100 students at time will have an hour each to experience the pop-up playground which LEAP staff and parent volunteers will set up and oversee the play. Fremont companies Green Bay Packing and Lowes donated cardboard boxes for the event and parent volunteers will collect additional supplies to use the day of the event.
“This will be our largest pop-up play event since we started a year ago,” said LEAP Creative Director Tricia O’Connor. “We’re excited to rise to the challenge and introduce more than 400 kids to this type of play in one day.”
Studies show that when kids participate in self-directed play find innovative ways to think about their world and how it works. They gain skills in creative problem-solving, communication, and risk-assessment, and above all experience the joy and confidence that comes from pursuing their own creative ideas without fear of failure that can arise when there is one predetermine or “right” way to do something.
Oak Harbor residents will have a chance to participate in LEAP’s pop-up playground on Oct. 25 from 1-3 pm at Joyful Connections on SR 163 in Oak Harbor.
LEAP is operated with funds from United Way Ottawa Co., monetary donations from 2014 Leadership Ottawa Co., WSOS Community Action and Portage Resale, and in-kind donations from companies like Green Bay Packing and Lowes. Find out more about LEAP at facebook.com/LakeErieAdventurePlay.