Bilingual, Nature-Play Afternoons

Utica/New Hartford/Clinton, NY Area

AFUERA IS BACK!!
July 6, 13 & 20 (no 27) 1:30 to 4:00

Location: Kirkland Town Park - meet by the pavilion near the old playground
Register here

These Spanish-English, outdoor gatherings focus on free play, nature exploration, organic learning, and community-building with facilitators supporting the experience. This is an all-ages group, though activities are geared towards preschool and elementary school aged kids. Caregivers are required to be present at this time. This is not a drop-off program.

What to Expect / Que Esperar

Free Play

Once children are unleashed into nature, structure and direction is usually unnecessary. They easily delight in discovering new smells, textures, and objects. Sometimes they naturally invent projects, whether starting a nature store or building bridges across muddy streams. Even rocks and sticks, used safely, can provide endless opportunities for fun.

Getting Wet or Dirty

While we don't always get wet or dirty, we recommend preparing for and being alright with doing so.

Activities

One nature-inspired craft will be provided at every gathering. Some children love crafting, others prefer free play. We will begin each gathering with a simple rhyme or song in both Spanish and English. Story time will also be offered for those interested. Often, kids do not want to sit for storytime though, and that's ok!

Espanol y English

Whether you are fluent, hablo un poco, or know no Spanish, you are welcome! English will be the default language, however two of our main guides speak fluent Spanish and we will incorporate Spanish as much as we can.

Amigos

Laura Sinnott

Laura spent her teenage winters both figure skating and falling while learning how to snowboard at the Parkway in Utica, NY, and passionately believes all humans could benefit from spending time with nature, especially during the cold winter months. Ella está aprendiendo español.

Martha Villamil

Hola!

Albert Pope

Yo soy Albert

Afuera Play respectfully acknowledges that our programs take place on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Onyota'a:ka, or the Oneida Nation, the People of the Standing Stone, a member of the Haudenosaunee ("ho-di-no-SHO-ni") Confederacy, People of the Longhouse.

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

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