Field Trips
We offer Bedrock Play Field Trips at our Gorham Campus!
All our programs are based on the TimberNook model, which is a research-backed outdoor play experience designed to inspire child-directed learning and to encourage children to think and play in new and creative ways. Each opportunity is carefully designed, planned, and staged for optimal exploration and engagement. Not only is your child sure to have fun with their classmates, but they will simultaneously experience invaluable hands-on learning that challenges the mind, the body, and the senses. Children of all abilities are able to practice their social, emotional, sensory, and cognitive skills at Bedrock Play.
All Field Trips take place in an outdoor, forested space with child-led, play-based programming. They also support adults (teachers, administrators and parents) in learning about how play can be harnessed and utilized to support the growth and development of children, and how the Bedrock Play philosophy can be translated in their own interactions with children.
The goal of Bedrock PLAY is to give children opportunities to EXPLORE, to develop and test IDEAS, to PROBLEM SOLVE and to learn how to effectively COMMUNICATE. The programming incorporates literacy, science, social-emotional learning and physical skill building, all through play!
Depending on the age, we design an opening circle with songs, movements, games and a story read out loud. We list the two rules of TimberNook (stay within our boundaries, be kind/respectful). We describe the inspiration or theme of the day and what opportunities will be available.
The children then have hours of uninterrupted time to play. We will have set up our site beforehand to include a lot of loose parts that they can incorporate into their play (lumber, tires, ropes, sheets, craft materials, costumes).
We gather together at the end to pack up bags, recap the day and say goodbye!
What a typical Field Trip looks like:
Other details:
Bedrock Play Field Trip Programs are all led by a certified TimberNook provider and the Bedrock Play team, are 3-4 hours in length and are completely outdoors (regardless of weather). You will work with the Bedrock Play team to choose the inspiration or theme of the day - we will provide you with some options and you can pick one based on what you are doing in the classroom, based on the season or just based on what you think sounds fun!
We will provide you with a packet of information for parents and teachers that will include:
Information for parents so that they know what to expect and what to bring/pack for their children. We are completely outdoors, so adults and children will need to be prepared for the weather. It is important that everyone is wearing clothes that are comfortable and they don’t mind getting dirty.
A document entitled “Step Back and Tune In Tips” for the adults. At TimberNook the adults are asked to minimize their presence while the children are playing and “step back and tune in”. We want the children to feel empowered to solve their own problems, to ask help from their peers and to give help to their peers. This means the adults are watching and listening to the play and will step in only if really needed.
A document called “Fieldtrip Observations and Reflections” which teachers can fill out during the program. The TimberNook experience can reveal many things to the good observer and this sheet will help you get the most out of the session.
If you’re interested in having a Field Trip at Bedrock Play, please contact us and we’ll get in touch with you.
Helpful Links
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