Fund A Wish

Go Outside and Play!

Remember tree forts and grass paths? Climbing a tree and splashing in a creek? Remember a time when children played outside from dawn until dusk…until Mom or Dad called you in…and if you didn’t get in fast enough, you might hear your first and middle name?

In modern family life, self-directed, unstructured play is on the decline. Study after study shows that children who lack unstructured time outdoors miss out on critical development. Learning to be creative, taking reasonable risks, and even dealing with boredom is crucial to developing into confident, competent adults.

Here at the Discovery Center, we encourage visitors and members to explore and experience the outdoors. The Discovery Center is a place of wonder, of inspiration and DISCOVERY for children of all ages. One of our long-held dreams is to create a space for safe exploration and play.

With your help, the 2017 Fund-A-Wish Nature Playscape: An Outdoor Creative Space for Families is designed to give children and families a safe, dedicated space that nurtures what childhood is all about: a creative space to dream, discover, and imagine through play—right here at Discovery Center. The Nature Playscape is a different kind of playground, using natural materials and encouraging children to use all of their senses in imaginative, interactive ways. It incorporates a variety of elements, linked together by a crushed gravel path so children of all abilities can enjoy a day of play.

Childhood has changed, but children haven’t. The important work of childhood is PLAY.

You can help save childhood outdoor play.

• Give to the Nature Playscape
• Provide building materials
• Volunteer to help build an element
• Follow our progress on Facebook
• Take a child outside and explore the Nature Playscape!

There’s so much more we can accomplish together. Learn more about each planned element and materials needed.