Nets, and more nets!

Hi guys,

I have been having a chat with a UK net and rope manufacturer today who would like Eden to collaborate with them on making nets and rope courses (like the one we used in the woods for Sky Island), on the basis that we'll test them, gather visual material for publicity and promote them on our website. So if you have any good ideas for net designs, or rope based play materials, let me know.

Phil x

We made the news!

Things have been so exciting for us lately with all the work we have been doing. It was exciting to discover a news article on our work here!!! Check it out!!

http://obsentinel.womacknewspapers.com/articles/2011/06/15/features/feats200.txt

Well done, gang

Well done to you all for your playday with the children, sounds like you all had a ball. Wish I could have been there!

As promised, I am going to send attachments to emails to Robin and Nilda some of the articles I have written about play that highlight some of the things we covered.

Yours playfully

Phil x

Turtle Island Extravaganza

It’s dark. And damp. The pine needles are poking my forehead, getting caught in my hair. The hemp string is not staying attached to my arms, making it more comfortable to sit in child’s pose than any other position. Nobody seems to have noticed the massive box in the corner, distracted by the glitter and glue and mom’s instructions for how to apply both. Ah, it’s my time. I poke my head out, here come the arms… voila, I am a box turtle. Mom laughs. And keeps laughing.

Getting to know Mr. Box Turtle

The first group of children entered Turtle Island timidly and were greeted by three turtles of differing species. The girls ranged in age from about 4 to 7 and, after a brief moment of hesitation, were excited to begin their transformation from children into turtles. They each tried on a shell for size and proceeded to slather paint, glue, and glitter over the cardboard pieces in various designs. As they began to finish their shells, the girls were led into the woods by Mr. Box Turtle toward the Enchanted Forest.

A turtle parade through the woods

Britani Lolley, Benji Palmer, and Stephanie Rustem

Sky Island

Coming in for a landing to report success for mission "First Flight" on Sky Island.

We taught many a baby bird to fly in our suspended trawl net fastened 5 feet high with rope and webbing to surrounding trees. After the baby birds learned to fly in the sky net they were then free to explore the island via branches (logs on the forest floor setup to act as balance beams) and help build a person-sized nest. Children of all ages (2-10) quickly took on the role of becoming birds and allowed the net to challenge them at their own personal level. Some were content sitting in a low area whereas others flew to the highest points and slid down for landings, both bumpy and smooth.

Baby birds trying out different "landing" techniques

It was important to assess the risk of the net, how it was suspended, and minimizing the possibilities for toppling over the edge. Phil Waters of the Eden Project is experienced with rigging up nets for similar play purposes, and was an inspiration as well as a key risk assessor in the construction of the net. After several adults tested the net (and didn't want to leave), we knew the children would have a beneficial, safe, and fun experience.

The net crew: Courtney, Amelea, Phil, and Sarah

The net afforded multiple levels of challenge in allowing the children to adapt and learn about their own mental and physical limits as well as interact with other children in an inclusive and civil manner.

  Kids of all ages learning to fly

The adults matched the children's collective enthusiasm for the net, each parent/chaperone expressed this by exclaiming that they would set one up in their backyard for the kids!

Note: No actual birds were harmed in the making of this play habitat :)

Courtney, Amelea, and Sarah

Hideaway Cove

Turtles exploring Hideaway Cove

Upon first arrival to Hideaway Cove, this particular group of girls were seemingly uninterested in the beach environment we had created for their play habitat. Lining up side by side, they stared at us, hoping for some sort of prompting regarding their actions within this strange place. Giving in, we decided to introduce them to the numerous bird nests around the island, which afforded them the opportunity to notice the brightly colored, large eggs found within each nest. This was clearly something that excited the girls, and one by one they decided to collect all the eggs found in and around the Cove. When they had collected them all, and piled them in the central area, one of the girls noted that the momma birds would not be happy to see their eggs missing! Hearing this, the girls decided that putting the baby bird eggs back in their nests would make momma bird happy, as she could then have baby birds to raise and care for when they hatched.

Collections of treasure are brought to the center of Hideaway Cove

This was a poignant moment for our play exercise, because it showed us that children already have the concepts of conservation and protection of wildlife in their imaginations. This is important because it shows us that we created an effective environment that fostered imagination as well as interaction and conservation within the setting of the coastal environment, which closely matches the goals set forth by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Terry Welles, Kara Oikarinen, Katie Johnson

The Enchanted Forest: From the Trees

Today was our second prototyping experience with children.  Our play pocket encompassed an "Enchanted Forest," containing very old talking trees!  We placed our pocket in a clearing containing several dogwoods-- the largest we've ever seen!  The space was naturally magical already, so we did little work to it besides clear low brush and thorny vines, and remove Poison Ivy.

When the visitors met Will and Assir (some of the talking trees) they interpreted the voice of  his tree stump friend: his birthday was today!  They sang happy birthday and even counted the rings to see how old he was!

Assir and our friend reading a sign pointing them down another trail.  It says HELP!

The children met Mother Tree (a HUGE 4-trunked dogwood, and Molly), who told them the little known fact that trees actually need children to play with them to live!  They also found a swing!

The talking trees: Will, Molly, and Assir