Parent Resources

We know...
We're different.

Programs like ours are rare, and we know some parents have concerns.  After all, you are the gatekeeper to your child’s healthy and safe life path. 

The resources below speak to our guiding principles and ideals.  They’re provided for those parents who are on the fence about joining our program.  For more specifics, check out the What to Expect page, or the FAQ pageIf you still find yourself stuck on making the decision to join us, give us a call!

Join us for

A free monthly gathering

Join us for a “Play Pause” on the second Saturday of each month throughout the school year for a relaxed, outdoor meetup to step back, sip your coffee, and let your kids explore nature and free play — with no agenda and no interruptions.  

There is no charge, but space is limited.  Please take a moment to RSVP and sign our basic waiver. It helps us plan thoughtfully and ensures everyone understands the vibe and expectations.  

⏰ When: Second Saturdays, September through May, 10:00 to 11:30am

🗺️ Where: Near the Hilton Area of Patapsco Valley State Park.

🌧️ Note: This event runs in all weather — dress accordingly!

💛 This is not a drop-off event — parents/caregivers must stay present.

Books

Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom

Free to Learn by Peter Gray - a prolific researcher on the topic of free play in child development

The Danish Way of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louve, cofounder of the Children & Nature Network

Mister Rogers Talks with Parents by Fred Rogers. 1983

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk

Research

One of the most prolific and comprehensive researchers on the subject of free play and its benefits to children's development is Dr. Peter Gray of Boston College. Our camp library has dozens of copies of Dr. Gray's book, Free to Learn, which are available to camp families to borrow and pass along to friends. Dr. Gray's blog on Psychology Today's website is loaded with articles and research. He has also given TED talks on the subject, and numerous interviews, including a recent one on the NPR podcast "Hidden Brain" about the benefits of free play.

This article by occupational therapist Inez Lawlor highlights the basics of why unstructured play is so vitally important for the developing minds and bodies of children. She also provides an exhaustive list of resources on the subject of free play and its benefits.

On Positive Discipline

Helping children work through conflict resolution helps them develop the skills they need for self regulation and solving problems themselves.  Here are some resources for parents on positive discipline: