Summer 2022 Wrap-Up!!
WOW! What an incredible and amazing summer we had at HOPE Grove. We had so much fun playing in nature and the outdoors, making new friends, trying new things, and developing new skills and abilities. This summer went fast, but it was unforgettable!
Let’s do a recap of all the fun activities, adventures, and experiences that happened this summer at HOPE:
June-
We had our first ever one-week nature camp. Kids came 4 days that week and had so many fun adventures and experiences. Since we had never done a nature camp before, at HOPE, this was a new experience for everyone! Each day of the camp there was an activity that everyone participated in, as well as child-led free play activities. The nature camp was a hit and we hope to do it again next year!
On day 1, the kids got to tie-dye their very own HOPE Grove t-shirt. This activity worked on concentration, focus, planning, fine motor skills, and bilateral coordination. The shirts turned out so cool and it was fun to see the kids wear them!!
On day 2, these kiddos got to make concrete stepping stones. This was a really fun process because first, the kids got to help mix the concrete, and then they got to put gems, stones, and other materials into their very own stepping stone to make whatever design they wanted.
On day 3, the kids had the chance to engage in a sensory experience with giant bubbles. It was such a fun experience and sensation to have a giant bubble around you, the kids all loved it!
On day 4, the last day of the camp, there was lots of rock painting happening and so much play and interaction between the kids. Rock painting was such a fun activity that it was requested again later in the summer. It was a bittersweet last day! It was so encouraging to see the new skills and abilities these kids had after just one week of being outside in nature with us.
July & August-
In July, we had 3 different groups starting a 6-week session where kids came one day a week for 6 weeks. This 6-week session went up until the third week of August. There were 2 BAREFOOT Babes groups that met on Tuesday mornings, the HOPE Creators groups that met on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, and finally, the GROVE Friends groups that met Thursday mornings and afternoons.
BAREFOOT Babes
The BAREFOOT Babes groups included moms and kids ages birth to 3. These groups were all about educating parents about different topics and allowing time for moms to interact with other moms while their children played. Each week of this 6-week session, focused on one sensory system. Activities were chosen based on that week’s sense and conversation starters revolved around that same sense. The senses that were used to guide the sessions included sight, sound, touch, proprioception, vestibular, and interoception. Handouts were presented at each session discussing the senses and at-home activity ideas. These handouts about these senses can be found on-site at HOPE Grove or by request via email or phone.
HOPE Creators and GROVE Friends
These groups were for kiddos aged 4 to 12. Some might wonder why such a big age range. Because at HOPE, we strongly believe that mixed-age play is very valuable and important. Refer to our blog post from August 15th, to learn more about mixed-age play: https://www.hope-grove.com/blog/mixed-age-play-importance-and-benefits
In these groups, we really encouraged play and social interactions between the kids. There were semi-structured activities set up at each session, but we also really pushed for the kids to engage in unstructured, child-led play activities. We of course supported the kids as needed, but it was also so amazing to see the growth, independence, and connections that each child made during these 6 weeks. Some semi-structured activities that the kiddos engaged in this summer included making tie-dye shirts, rock painting, stepping stones, clay pinch pots or imprint ornaments, fairy homes and gardens, old school games, obstacle courses, and using loose parts such as cardboard boxes, paper plates, and toilet paper rolls.
So much growth and development occurred during these sessions, that it is hard to list and discuss only a few! Because we had kids of different ages and abilities in these groups, we were able to see a lot of learning, growth, and development. Older children started encouraging the younger ones, teaching them new skills and concepts, and helping them complete tasks and skills. Younger kids had the opportunity to learn and develop in ways that are more advanced than children their own age.
There were kids that were initially very cautious and worried about risky play, such as climbing a tree, climbing the slide, swinging high and fast, and crossing the bridge; but ended up being able to engage in those risky activities at the end of the 6 weeks. It just took practice, encouragement, and sometimes help from other kids or adults to finally complete these activities.
So, Why do we Offer Nature-based Play and Enrichment Groups at HOPE Grove?
Nature has so much to offer children AND adults. Nature can be a fun place to play, learn, grow, and explore. Nature provides so many benefits and allows children to challenge themselves, try new things, learn new things, and grow.
Sessions at HOPE Grove offer time and space for children and adults to spend much-needed time in the great outdoors. Children are able to engage in a variety of fun activities, adventures, and experiences that are so vital for their development and overall health.
We are so glad you chose to spend part of your summer at HOPE Grove and we hope to play with you and see you again soon!!
~Angela & Kristin
