GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A local nonprofit group will host an event Saturday, Sept. 21 at Congress Elementary School in Grand Rapids to raise awareness about the benefits of outdoor play.
It is called "GR Plays." The community will participate in drum circles, yoga, art and other activities.
Organizers say there is a need to create opportunities to play due to socioeconomic gaps in schools related to insurance, out-of-pocket costs and access to transportation.
The Playground GR is hosting Saturday's fourth annual event, along with Uptown G-R, Experience Grand Rapids and Everything Ink. It will run from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Playground GR is a local nonprofit dedicated to bridging disparities of the racial, gender, culture and socioeconomic gaps often found in schools around the world of play.
WHO: The Playground GR, Uptown GR, Experience Grand Rapids, Everything Ink.
WHAT: Fourth annual GR Plays event
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21 form 1-3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Congress Elementary, 940 Baldwin Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
WEB: https://theplaygroundgr.org/grand-rapids-plays
More from a Clark Communications news release:
ABOUT THE EVENT:
THE PLAYGROUNDgr brings play experts to GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS, inviting our community to participate in: drum circles, mindfulness, yoga, nature play, art and other play led activities that may not be accessible to our our neighbors. Due to barriers related to insurance, out of pocket costs and access to transportation, we continue to see the need for ongoing opportunities to play. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is committed to bringing play experts, tools, and strategies to our whole community for FREE. Last year’s partners included: Grand Rapids Public Library, Teknique Academy, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Great Lakes Circus Center, Tree School , Full Bloom Children's Yoga and Mindfulness & Josh Dunigan. We are excited to share that FIFTY drums will be gifted during our Sept. 21 event to our community! We are also thrilled to bring play therapy strategies through: rock painting, skin matching self-portraits and a sensory support emotional exploration station! GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS explores YEAR 4 of playing as a community!
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A flyer for Saturday's event at Congress Elementary.Photo: Source: The Playground GR & Clark Communications