Risky Play, Executive Functioning, & Campfire Magic 🔥

 June 2025 NewsletterHi read,We're wrapping up our year-long groups this spring, and it's been such a joy to witness the growth, connection, and confidence that's come from time spent in nature. Whether you've been part of a group, joined us for ind

June 2025 Newsletter Hi read, We're wrapping up our year-long groups this spring, and it's been such a joy to witness the growth, connection, and confidence that's come from time spent in nature. Whether you've been part of a group, joined us for individual OT, or are just following along, thank you for being in our community. Summer camp kicks off soon, and we're excited to keep the outdoor fun going! We're also expanding our services this fall with more group options and individual OT spots so we can continue supporting kids and families in meaningful ways. ☀️ Recommended Resource-of-the-Month: We loved this article from The Pathway 2 Success about how nature play can help kids build executive functioning skills like planning, flexibility, and impulse control. It's so aligned with what we see every day at OKOT, kids practicing these skills in real-time as they build forts, lead scavenger hunts, or solve problems together outside. Nature gives kids real, meaningful chances to think ahead, adapt, and try things out. Check it out to try some of these activities at home this summer! 💚 OT Tip-of-the-Month for More Joy & Ease in Daily Life Risky play is a huge part of what we do at Outdoor Kids. Climbing, balancing, using tools, it all helps kids build body awareness, assess risk, problem-solve, and gain confidence. When kids are given the chance to try something a little risky, they're often more thoughtful and careful than we expect. So this month's tip is to get outside and try something risky with your child! Let them climb that tree or balance on that log, and if you feel the urge to step in, pause and ask, "What's your plan?" They might just surprise you! 🌳 OKOT Story & Service Updates We just wrapped up our year-long spring OKOT groups in California and Wisconsin, and it's been so rewarding to celebrate all the kids' growth and progress! One group ended with a fire and s'mores celebration, working together to start the fire using a ferro rod. We saw wonderful self-regulation, impulse control, and safety awareness as the kids took turns and kept each other safe during this risky activity. It was such a fun and meaningful way to close out the season and recognize how much they've grown through their time outdoors. 🔥 OKOT Service Updates: California  Summer Camp ☀️  San Francisco summer camps are full! We still have a few spots left in our Oakland summer camps running from June 9th to August 1st. All Oakland camp weeks will be held at Joaquin Miller Park, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm. Apply here to save your child's spot!    Fall Groups 🌲 Group placements for the 2025-2026 school year are underway! We are offering groups Monday through Saturday throughout the year in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley, starting in August. Apply here to secure your spot!   Individual OT 🌱 We have a few spots left for individual OT sessions starting in August in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. Apply here for one-on-one occupational therapy for your child.   Wisconsin Summer Camp 🐞 There are a few spots left for Madison summer camp! Apply here to save your child's spot. We're offering 6 weeks of camp from June 30th-August 8th, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm. Camps will be held at: June 30-July 11 in Owen Park July 14-25 in Lake Farm County Park July 28-August 8 in Token Creek County Park   Fall Groups 🌳 Placements for fall groups are underway! We'll continue our Wednesday and Thursday groups at Owen Park and are adding two new Monday groups at Token Creek County Park in Northeast Madison. We're excited to expand our offerings and look forward to seeing you at these new locations! Apply here to secure your spot!   Individual OT 🍃 We're excited to now offer limited individual OT sessions in Madison! Apply here for one-on-one occupational therapy for your child.   If you have already applied, current applications are being reviewed and spots offered based on availability and needs of the child and group.    Cheers, Gabbi & all of us at OKOT GEMMA Study — Autism Research Opportunity The GEMMA study follows babies with a sibling with autism from birth to age 3. Families answer easy monthly surveys and collect simple samples at home to help researchers learn more about autism and support early diagnosis. They're especially looking for participants in Wisconsin right now! Interested? Reach out to the study coordinator Anna Schmidt at (617) 643-6918 or mghgemma@mgh.harvard.edu Apply Now 2930 Domingo Avenue #1092 Berkeley, California 94705, USA Unsubscribe or Manage Preferences here. No hard feelings!