Never Just Play: How Outdoor Adventures Build Character
Written by Chloe Shoff and Abby Shaw
In a learner-centered environment, outdoor play often becomes a canvas for discovery, resilience, and collaboration. At The Village School, two moments this year captured the spirit of our community and the values of character that are so important to us.
On the 3rd park day of the year, a learner was knee deep in the creek looking for big logs that could form a raft. While many big logs were found, a raft was not created. The following park day, another learner decided to bring a rope with the hope it could hold the logs together. By the end of the day, they had created a huge raft that took the help of over ten learners to pick up! But the moment they picked it up and started moving towards the creek…it fell apart. But, they did not give up.
The next park day, the learners returned with a second rope and the determination to rebuild the raft and actually get it to hold together. After wrapping many logs together, multiple times, they had a strong and sturdy raft. Again, they enlisted the help of other learners to get the raft from the ground to the creek. And finally, after much grit and teamwork, they did it! The raft made it into the water and excitement was incredible. Did the raft actually float and protect the learners from getting wet? Not necessarily. As the saying goes, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
A week later, while on our first field trip of the year, another powerful example of persistence unfolded. A group of learners turned their attention to a broken branch that was dangling, just out of reach. One learner decided they wanted to knock it down–a task that, at first, seemed nearly impossible. For many minutes, this learner was slinging their backpack into the air, trying to knock it down. Eventually, other learners ran up, eager to get in on the action. They took turns, hurling this poor backpack into the air. At one point, the backpack even got stuck on the branch that was dangling! This was when they began strategizing and trying out different objects to throw. They successfully knocked the backpack down with a shoe, but had to keep on trying for the branch. They never once thought about giving up and after many minutes, one learner finally succeeded, sending the branch tumbling to the ground. The cheer that followed was more than joy over a fallen branch; it was the pride of perseverance, of refusing to quit even when success didn’t come easily. Learners proudly held up the branch, showcasing their hard work. Never once did they look to the adults to problem-solve. They were confident in their abilities and knew how to face the challenge!
Both moments serve as a reminder that play is never just play. It is a living space where learners practice the very skills that will carry them far in life: collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, and creativity. With the raft, they discovered the power of working together. With the tree branch, they discovered the power of persistence. And in both, they learned that challenges are not obstacles to avoid, but opportunities to grow.
Our natural instincts as adults are to protect children. But stepping away and letting children lead the way is what makes TVS so special. What happens when, instead of warning “watch out” or “be careful,” we step back and let children discover the courage and problem-solving skills that come from taking risks?
