On my first playwork assignment, I was lucky to join an existing team that worked together well. We made eye contact frequently during the sessions and pulled one another aside during slow moments to observe together and swap little funny anecdotes. We checked in on one another, asking with an eyebrow for assistance with rough and tumble or coverage for a bathroom run. Playworkers in all settings were told not to work solo – but what did that mean for international advocates?
We didn’t want anyone to feel alone in this work. Both Suzanna and I had been staff in isolation before and we knew that it was hard for us to advocate for play properly when feeling alone and unsupported. A big part of our work was helping people to connect online but sometimes, especially when visiting on tour, we got to hear about it face-to-face.
Connecting through shared challenges
One classroom assistant working in a school of play-skeptics, told us that “when I’m having a rough day, I’ll stand in the broom closet and scroll through your Facebook feed, just not to feel so alone”. We were always trying to build upon existing relationships as well, to knit people together.
That’s why we were so excited that year, to be doing something new and rather amazing.
In February 16-19th, we welcomed playworkers and advocates from around the world to celebrate Campference 2017, the birth of a new adventure playground.
People could stay in either tents or nearby houses, but we still called it a Campference. Registeration was available for Campference 2017. Who knew, participants might have been only 5 months away from an arm full of playworker friendship bracelets!
Wanna come and hang out?