Join us Thursday, April 26 at 12:00pm EST for our post-conference #WePlayChat, “Reflecting on The Many Faces of Play.”  Learn about some of the big ideas, the big learning, the big fun…and give input on our plans for the 10th anniversary conference in 2019!

Here are the chat questions that will guide our conversation:

Did you know that by adding water, you are actually adding an extra dimension of play?

Water is timeless…it has a universal appeal…it transcends cultures and generations, transcends age groups. It brings an endless supply of sensations, thrills, and excitement. Water draws people in and brings people together. And yet when we think of the word ‘play’ even here, our minds don’t firstly associate that with water, we might think of sports or playgrounds or games we play at home or in schools. But we kind of underestimate the importance and fun and benefits of water play.

“Because unlike playing sports or with toys or in a sandbox, we don’t move water. Water literally moves us.  Physically. Emotionally. Socially. Across age gaps. Even across demographics” says Marie-Catherine Dubé, Vortex’s lead designer and play advocate.  At the 2018 Play Conference, Marie-Catherine and others shared the social and physical developmental aspects of water play and the revitalizing role that water-based playscapes are having in our communities.

With 7,000 installations in 45 countries, Vortex Aquatic Structures International is a world leader in aquatic play solutions.  Learn more about Vortex at vortex-intl.com

A message from Dr. Brett Wright, Dean of Clemson University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Clemson University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Conference on the Value of Play hosted by the US Play Coalition, whose mission is to help strengthen communities — physically, socially, economically, and culturally.

We, as a college, are focused on building people and building communities, and focused on becoming a national and international leader in solving the problems faced by individuals, families, communities and societies. One such problem is play deprivation among children.

Through our unique combination of departments and schools, we are working to further Clemson’s land-grant mission, strategic vision, and global impact – and make a tangible difference in the lives of people every day!

As a college that strives to make a difference, we recognize the importance of play and how it makes a community stronger. We have faculty involved in research in this field, and we are happy to partner with the US Play Coalition.

Dr. Brett Wright
Dean
College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences
Clemson University

Want a PLAYful way to earn AIA and LA CES CEUs?!  Come to the 2018 Conference on the Value of Play: The Many Faces of Play, April 8-11 at Clemson University.

More than 18 hours of our sessions have been approved for LA CES credits.  Over 9 hours of our sessions have been approved for AIA learning units – two sessions also approved for HSW credits (NCBLA credits are pending too!).

Check out these LA CES approved sessions below.  AIA designation indicated where applicable.  All are one hour unless noted:

• Effective Playground Protective Surfacing: The Key Element for Risk Assessment under the new ASTM F1487 (*3.5 hours, separate registration required – AIA HSW and LU)
• Inclusive Design for the Aquatic Splash Pad (AIA HSW and LU)
• Community-Based Strategies for Building and Activating Inclusive Playgrounds (AIA LU)
• Learning to Build (AIA LU)
• Lighting Play Environments for Today & the Future (AIA LU)
• Shhh! There’s a Playspace coming to the Library! (AIA LU)
• Your Senses at Play! Explore playground designs and programs that support children with Autism (AIA LU)
• A Walk on the Wild Side: Connecting Play and Zoo Walkways
• Availability and Quality of Urban Play Spaces in The East Africa Community: A Critical Assessment
• Just Play Project: Ithaca: Designing the Child-Friendly City!
• 
• Sensory Play: An Integral Component of Inclusive Recreation
• Shaped by Play: The Formative Role of Play and Playgrounds
• The Butterfly Effect: Building on the Big Idea
• The Many Spaces of Play: The Many Faces of Children
• Water Play and Children’s Complex Scientific Explorations
• Zoos as a Nature Play Destination: Nature Playgrounds at Bronx Zoo and Houston Zoo

Special registration options are available for schools, non-profits, and government agencies looking to send 4 or more delegates.  Contact Stephanie Garst for more information.

The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.

Join us Monday, March 19 at 9:00am EST as we welcome Brian VanDongen to our #WePlayChat as we discuss, “Play in Nature and Passive Recreation Areas.”

Brian VanDongen, CPRP, is a nationally certified recreation and parks professional who has implemented transformational recreation programming for people of all ages and abilities. Beginning with working at recreation programs in high school, to supervising intramural programs in college, through to creating, improving, and managing entire recreational programs, camps, and sports leagues, Brian has a passion for physical activity, parks and recreation, and play.  He understands the importance of and works to provide access to safe and welcoming parks and the assess the needs of communities to engage children and adults in popular, wanted, and needed recreational programming. As a US Play Coalition Play Ambassador, he promotes the value of play throughout life and plays and important role in sharing knowledge and ideas to recreation professionals, educators, parents, and students.  He believes that the power of play can have a huge impact on everyone’s life. Brian is currently the Assistant Director of Recreation for Readington Township, a suburban community in central New Jersey.

Here are the chat questions that will guide our conversation:

Want a PLAYful way to earn AIA CEUs?!  Come to the 2018 Conference on the Value of Play: The Many Faces of Play, April 8-11 at Clemson University.

More than 8 hours of our sessions have been approved for AIA learning units – two sessions also approved for HSW credits (all are approved for LA CES with NCBLA  pending too!)

Check out these AIA approved sessions (all are one hour unless noted):

• Effective Playground Protective Surfacing: The Key Element for Risk Assessment under the new ASTM F1487 (*3.5 hours, separate registration required – HSW and LU)
• Inclusive Design for the Aquatic Splash Pad (HSW and LU)
• Community-Based Strategies for Building and Activating Inclusive Playgrounds
• Learning to Build
• Lighting Play Environments for Today & the Future (also approved for AIA CEUs)
• Shhh! There’s a Playspace coming to the Library!
• Your Senses at Play! Explore playground designs and programs that support children with Autism.

Special registration options are available for schools, non-profits, and government agencies looking to send 4 or more delegates.  Contact Stephanie Garst for more information.

The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.

To build better playgrounds and to encourage more of them, we wanted to understand how play leads to the development of successful adults. That’s why we commissioned a meta-study in partnership with the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development to advance the conversation.

Drawing from a wide body of social scientific analyses, we found the studies overwhelmingly reinforce the value—and seemingly, the developmental necessity—of children’s early play experiences. Most studies draw strong associations between free, unstructured play and positive outcomes. Several studies also point to restrictive work and school schedules, organized after-school activities, safety concerns and the rise of passive entertainment options for the growing infringement on children’s play opportunities.

For children around the world, playgrounds and play are an important and positive part of childhood development. Request a copy of the full research whitepaper at shapedbyplay.com.

Make sure YOU are wearing the latest in PLAY gear at the 2018 Play Conference!!!

These new LIMITED EDITION play shirts were designed by Play Ambassadors Brian VanDongen and Ryan Fahey.  T-shirt orders placed here will be available for pickup at the Play Conference only. (NOTE: A separate post-conference campaign will have shipping options). If you are coming to the Play Conference, order here to SAVE on shipping!

Orders open now through March 12.

They will only print what gets ordered before the campaign closes. Those ordered get printed and will be available for pickup at the Play Conference!

Support US Play Coalition and PLAY by purchasing a PLAYful shirt! Order yours before time runs out…!!!!

Want a PLAYful way to earn LA CES CEUs?!  Come to the 2018 Conference on the Value of Play: The Many Faces of Play, April 8-11 at Clemson University.

More than 18 hours of our sessions have been approved for LA CES credits – and more are pending!
(NCBLA and AIA credits are pending too!)

Check out these LA CES approved sessions (all are one hour unless noted):

• Effective Playground Protective Surfacing: The Key Element for Risk Assessment under the new ASTM F1487 (*3.5 LA CES hours, separate registration required)
• A Walk on the Wild Side: Connecting Play and Zoo Walkways
• Availability and Quality of Urban Play Spaces in The East Africa Community: A Critical Assessment
• Community-Based Strategies for Building and Activating Inclusive Playgrounds
• Inclusive Design for the Aquatic Splash Pad
• Just Play Project: Ithaca: Designing the Child-Friendly City!
• Learning to Build
• Lighting Play Environments for Today & the Future (also approved for AIA CEUs)
• Sensory Play: An Integral Component of Inclusive Recreation
• Shaped by Play: The Formative Role of Play and Playgrounds
• Shhh! There’s a Playspace coming to the Library!
• The Butterfly Effect: Building on the Big Idea
• The Many Spaces of Play: The Many Faces of Children
• Water Play and Children’s Complex Scientific Explorations
• Your Senses at Play! Explore playground designs and programs that support children with Autism.
• Zoos as a Nature Play Destination: Nature Playgrounds at Bronx Zoo and Houston Zoo

Special registration options are available for schools, non-profits, and government agencies looking to send 4 or more delegates.  Contact Stephanie Garst for more information.

The Conference on the VALUE of Play
The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.

PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE) is the only research-focused organization invested with more than 30 scholars and universities, publishing third party, valid, evidence-based resources to help build research-based environments that result in meaningful outcomes.

GameTime utilizes the scholarly findings of PlayCore’s work in a number of meaningful ways, in the design of their products, and the overall creation of environments themselves. The power of this scholarly advisement cannot be regarded lightly, as this knowledge becomes the foundation of the finished environment; therefore a customer need not have advanced degrees in any area of specialization to benefit from an environment built on scholarship.

PlayCore’s latest scholar spotlight falls on Dr. Stuart Brown. As a foremost authority on play, Dr. Brown is contributing to a monthly blog on playcore.com, and will be featured at the 2018 Play Conference highlighting the partnership and his scholarly insight on the many faces of play.