Out to Play first opened at Beetbox Farm during the pandemic, to offer families a safer social experience with the therapeutic support and educational benefits of the outdoor world. Families quickly connected on the land and the feelings of community and connection grew. Out to Play is grateful to Beetbox Farm for their early support of outdoor play and learning.
Out to Play is a community creation with the first steps taken by Lara Purvis, and so many hands pitching in since then. Lara (she/they) is a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies, a Bachelor of Education in Primary Junior education, and a Masters of Arts in Global Development. Lara completed her Forest and Nature School Practitioners certificate, and worked for the Child and Nature Alliance as an educator and writer, and educator, before opening Out to Play. Lara believes in the magic of Story, power of play and the simplicity of connecting on the land together to support the mental health of children, families and communities.
Emily (she/her) has worked in the Office Administration and Bookkeeping industries for over a decade. She has also had past experience in the outdoor family tourism industry, working as a zipline guide in New Zealand, and partaking in Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program. She has a B.Arts in Business and Languages, and an Ontario Diploma in Office Administration. Emily currently gets her outdoor time in with walks along trails with her baby and toddler, our occasional office assistants. She loves watching their eyes light up at the movement of the leaves, and at discovering pinecones and bugs along the way. When she can, she also loves backcountry camping, flatwater canoeing, and in general anything that allows for being outside and enjoying a slower pace of life.
Carrie (she/her) is a teacher (BEd, Primary Junior) with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, and a Forest and Nature School Practitioners certification. She’s a parent to a wonderful like-minded imaginative young person. If you asked the team about Carrie they’d tell you she’s an incredible mentor to new staff demonstrating our learning through play pedagogy. Children embrace their imaginations in Carrie’s company, nurtured by her storytelling and her support. Carrie is also Out to Play’s writer, designing each newsletter and writing (with flair!) for the blog. Carrie believes that curiosity is an essential precursor to scientific/political literacy, and loves being a co-conspirator in inquiries out on the land.
Coming soon!
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