Rooted in Play began with two long-time friends and a question: what if children really need more time and freedom to just play? After an inspiring visit to an Adventure Playground in Texas, that question was answered. Children do need to time to play, in fact, it is a key factor in their healthy growth and development! Welcome to Rooted in Play's LFEBridge campaign! We are a nonprofit organization on a mission to ensure that every child has access to self-directed play opportunities. We believe in the power of play to nurture children's imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills, while promoting their overall well-being. One of our key initiatives is hosting free popup adventure playgrounds at Tampa parks. These popup adventure playgrounds are temporary play spaces that children and playworkers create together using loose parts like cardboard boxes, tires, rain gutters, and fabric. They serve as blank canvases for children to build, explore, and transform their own play environments, engaging their minds and bodies in exciting ways. Imagine walking up to your favorite neighborhood park. You see what appears to be junk (boxes, landscape tubing, sheets, tires, pots and pans) strewn about the field and adjacent playground and wonder what in the world is happening. A minivan pulls up and a child jumps out and makes a beeline toward the field yelling, “I’m free, I’m free!” while the parents start tossing empty boxes over the fence. You look a little closer and you see a child using some of the “junk” to build a fort. You see a child gleefully spraying another child with water from a hose. You see a group of kids digging in the dirt and making mud pies. You see another group rolling balls down a rain gutter that has been placed on a fence. You see parents sitting on lawn chairs or park benches chatting and watching this all unfold. You hear children laughing, negotiating, collaborating, problem-solving, and shouting joyfully. You survey the scene and think to yourself, “this is the way I played as a kid.” You have unknowingly stumbled upon a Rooted in Play Popup Adventure Playground. The benefits of this type of play are profound and measurable. Studies have shown that self-directed play in popup adventure playgrounds leads to increased feelings of mastery, concentration, and well-being among children. It enhances gross and fine motor skills, language and vocabulary development, and can even contribute to better eyesight. Through our popup adventure playgrounds, we provide a unique and valuable play experience that sparks joy and promotes holistic growth in children. Since April 2019, Rooted in Play, with the support of dedicated playworkers and volunteers, has organized over 40 free community popup events, serving over 1,000 families in the Tampa area. Now, we need your help to continue creating these magical play experiences for children in our community. By donating to our LFEBridge campaign, you become a crucial part of our mission to ensure that all children have access to self-directed play opportunities that foster their development, resilience, and happiness. Your generous contribution will directly support our efforts in the following ways: 1. Outreach and Community Engagement: We aim to expand our reach and provide even more popup play opportunities to underserved areas in Tampa. Your support will help us raise awareness, organize events, and connect with local communities to ensure that every child has access to our transformative play experiences. 2. Materials and Resources: Your donation will help us acquire and maintain loose parts such as cardboard boxes, tires, and fabric, as well as other essential play materials, ensuring that each popup adventure playground is engaging and inspiring for children. 3. Training and Development: We are committed to nurturing skilled playworkers who can guide and support children's play experiences in popup adventure playgrounds. Your contribution will help us provide training programs and professional development opportunities for educators and playworkers, enhancing their expertise and ensuring high-quality play facilitation. Donate today and make a lasting impact on the lives of children, one popup adventure at a time! Together we can create a future where every child in the Tampa Bay area has the opportunity to thrive through the magic of play.
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