08/26/2026
Does your 8-10 year old still have opportunities to play?
I'm not talking about sports, 30-minute recesses, or other adult-directed activities, though those have their place as well.
I'm talking self-chosen, self-directed, intrinsically motivated, creative, imaginative endeavors guided by the mental rules of the children. You can read more about the countless benefits over here: https://petergray.substack.com/p/2-what-exactly-is-this-thing-we-call .
Children have ample time for play during Wilderness Wednesdays! (And every day at Juniper Root : )
This session is filling up quickly! We have just 4 slots left!
We'd love to add a few more 8-10 year olds to the bunch:)
Sign up here to secure your spot: JuniperRootSTL.com/WildernessWednesdays
We are so excited to have Angela Wildermuth of Wilderkids Urban Forest School back for forest school at Juniper Root!
This 9-week session of forest school will be an exploration of Juniper Root's wooded property in fall. We'll observe the leaves changing and falling, track wildlife as temperatures cool, hang in the honeysuckle woods, get better acquainted with the creek, and hike to the bioswale just beyond the property. Around Thanksgiving, we’ll collect black walnuts, paw paws, persimmons, crabapples, and autumn olives for a foraged feast!
The class will include demonstrations of how to make primitive versions of bows and arrows, spears, or slingshots. We might craft quills out of feathers for writing with natural dyes or melt down wax to make floating candles out of acorn caps!
We will also take field trips to August G. Beckemeier Conservation Area and Faust Park! (Both within 10 minutes of Juniper Root.)
Perhaps most importantly, there will be plenty of time for imaginative play, social/emotional learning, and open-ended nature exploration. As children get older, they seem to have less and less time available for group activities that are not structured by an adult. But the benefits of child-led play do not diminish with age! We are so fortunate to have this time and space to share with each other. I hope that you can join us.
We have space for 12 children age 5-10 years old!
There is also opportunity for 1 or 2 teens to develop their leadership skills by becoming a volunteer counselor! Volunteers will receive a thank you stipend at the end of the session.
Head over here to register by September 4th to secure your spot! JuniperRootSTL.com/WildernessWednesdays
Questions? [email protected] or [email protected]
