jag09

Does your community have a group of talented youth that really love to perform? Why not build them their very own stage with a curtain for their grand entrance? The community of Lakeland, FL debuted this side project last week and the kids love it! This particular project combined two KaBOOM! side projects, a stage (http://kaboom.org/build_playground/side_projects/how_build_10_x_10_stage) and a chalkboard (http://kaboom.org/build_playground/side_projects/how_build_chalkboard) , with a new project-a curtain frame-to create this great space. The finished product allows the performers to draw their own sets or backdrops, while having a large performance space, and a curtain for their opening entrances and curtain calls! The best part is that the curtain frame can be moved inside for winter or rainy days.

The curtain frame is made from PVC pipes and connectors, PVC cement, and outdoor-friendly canvas! Plans can be found online at: http://myoddrawings.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/how-to-make-a-pvc-stage-curtain-and-pulley-display/. While this plan can be adapted to create frames of any size, we found that a 10’ wide curtain at a height of 6’ to 8’ tall worked the best. It was also very simple to replace the pulley system with a simple set of 2” diameter rings, which were attached to grommets on the canvas.

Have fun!

April 22nd is Earth Day 2012! What better way to celebrate than to spend the day playing outside, cleaning up your local playground, or making a “green” project?

To find a local park near you, check out the KaBOOM! Map of Play at http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/. Just by typing in your zip code, you will have access to the location and photos of many playgrounds in your area, as well as details about what is included on each playground! It is super easy and you can find a new play area that fits your interests! Don’t see your favorite playground on the map? Take a minute and add it today!

While you’re out playing, why not create a new, "green" project? You can check out many great "green" site enhancement projects at http://kaboom.org/sideprojects, especially in our nature built side projects section! My personal favorite is creating sunflowers out of plastic water bottles. Water bottles are great to bring to a playground to keep children hydrated while they play; try going one step further to collect these bottles for recycling and future craft projects! Sunflowers are very easy to create and are a kid-friendly craft. Directions can be found online at http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2011/10/making-sunflowers-from-water-bottles.html. We made a full sunflower garden in Berwyn, IL!

You could even rally your whole community to come clean up your playground, add mulch, or add an item to your playspace! Just remember to check out the amazing grant opportunities that KaBOOM! offers for these "spruce" activities at http://kaboom.org/grants.

Happy Earth Day and have fun outside!

Check out this amazing accessible playground that will be built in Hickory, North Carolina. Hickory is a KaBOOM! Playful City USA and was recently awarded a Let’s Play City Construction Grant, which will be used toward this new community-built playspace.

http://www.playgroundforzahra.org/playground.html

The playground will be built in honor of the late Zahra Baker, a 10-year old member of the Hickory community. Their incredible playground design will ensure that children of all abilities can access and play on all areas of the playspace and play together with all of their friends. The final design features ramped access to the structure, ground level panels, low level activities, accessible swings, and a swaying seesaw for youth of all abilities, called an AeroGlider.

This playground will be the result of a spectacular community effort, where many community members will contribute through financial donations, donation of resources, and volunteering during the construction of the structure. According to the project website, “the original goal was to raise $85,000 to build an all-children’s playground, and thanks to the generosity from the community, businesses, foundations, and grants, more than $170,000 has been raised.”
Hickory’s playground is an excellent effort of what can be achieved through community efforts and dedication to the cause of play for all members of their community. It will be great to see everyone playing together once this is completed in the spring of 2012!

Check out this amazing accessible playground that will be built in Hickory, North Carolina. Hickory is a KaBOOM! Playful City USA and was recently awarded a Let’s Play City Construction Grant, which will be used toward this new community-built playspace.

http://www.playgroundforzahra.org/playground.html

The playground will be built in honor of the late Zahra Baker, a 10-year old member of the Hickory community. Their incredible playground design will ensure that children of all abilities can access and play on all areas of the playspace and play together with all of their friends. The final design features ramped access to the structure, ground level panels, low level activities, accessible swings, and a swaying seesaw for youth of all abilities, called an AeroGlider.

This playground will be the result of a spectacular community effort, where many community members will contribute through financial donations, donation of resources, and volunteering during the construction of the structure. According to the project website, “the original goal was to raise $85,000 to build an all-children’s playground, and thanks to the generosity from the community, businesses, foundations, and grants, more than $170,000 has been raised.”

Hickory’s playground is an excellent effort of what can be achieved through community efforts and dedication to the cause of play for all members of their community. It will be great to see everyone playing together once this is completed in the spring of 2012!

Brrrr! Winter has officially arrived in many parts of the US, which means that it is time to shift to cold weather play! Although it may not be as easy to hop outside and play a game of soccer as it is in the bright sun of summer, there are still tons of ways to stay active both inside and outdoor.

Great ideas on winter activities can be found at:
http://familyfun.go.com/winter
http://party.kaboose.com/seasonal/winter/winter-party.html
http://www.ivillage.com/winter-activities-kids/6-b-317446#317461
http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/wintrfun.htm

These suggestions for winter crafts, games, and recipes are excellent! My personal favorite is the Ice-Crystal Lantern, where you can make your own candle out of ice.

Many schools have vacations this time of year, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to play! Grab those mittens, bundle up, and jump into the snow, or warm up some hot chocolate and have fun inside!

See you outside on the next Snow Day!

• Community Council of Idaho
• YMCA de Desarrollo Comunitario y Asistencia Social A.C.

This past month, I had the pleasure of working with a YMCA in Naucalpan de Juarez, Mexico to build a brand new play space!

This location hosts 600 playful youth everyday and approximately 6,300 annually! Our planning process involved the active participation of the parents and members of this organization, as we decided on a design for the structure, sought out volunteers, obtained food and water donations, and created a fundraising plan. The involvement of over 40 parents, a local sand provider, and construction supply stores helped us to plan for a very successful construction day!

The organization was so excited to construct this new play area that they turned the whole day into a community fiesta! The neighborhood was able to celebrate the exciting atmosphere with music, street decorations, and lots of laughs as we moved 18 wheel delivery trucks through the narrow streets and assembled the swings, slides, and play panels.

The participation of so many parents and community members was integral to the success of this project and the youth of the YMCA are having a great time on their new playground!