Wowing Audiences and Winning Awards

Tonight Chris Bachman and I acted on an invitation to talk about the Sunflower Society at the child care center down at the community building at 35 West Main St. I have known about the Reggio Inspired Community Building Children's Center for a few years now, but tonight was really impressive to learn more about how they work with children. I got to dig around in their worm bin, and was impressed by how they talk about the cycle of life when the children find something as simple as a dead bird on the playground. The quotes of the children's reactions to examining the dead bird up close were raw and beautiful. They noticed the birds eyes and empathized about how sad it was that the bird died. Tonight was a part of the Community Minded Enterprises Sustainable September line up of events. I became motivated to bring some great ideas home from tonight.

Here are two ideas shared tonight that were so good that they are worth mentioning here. The first is a concept put into action, and the second idea only requires dirt. The first idea is "loose ends" toys and games. These are ones that don't have fixed outcomes, but that can become anything and go a myriad of different ways. The concrete example pitched tonight involved a set of sticks and thick twigs that parents can cut the edges off and sanded down to be nice and smooth. With a little string and some yards of cloth the children built the most amazing school yard forts. I am definitely going to start foraging for downed sticks and start a collection for my children soon. The second idea was a tasting and smelling garden. A simple but effective way to foster experiential education right in your backyard.

Chris and I took the stage to talk about the Sunflower Society, but not until after John Thielbahr from the Children & Nature Network spoke to the audience of 30 parents assembled. He did a great job laying the foundation of why and how nature clubs for families make so much sense. His presentation was much like how I imagine Richard Louv, the founder of the nature clubs for families movement, would have done.

I hope that some of our audience members will come join us on a outing in the near future. After all, one of the co-founders of the Sunflower Society now has national prominence. Chris Bachman almost didn't make this speaking engagement because he just returned from San Francisco, where he accepted the Madelyn Pyeatt Award from the Sierra Club in recognition for his work with youth in the Spokane Inner City Outings program.

These presentations and press coverage opportunities will soon end, and we will be back on track with some more outdoor family fun.