Child Development Center Playground Renovation Phase III:
The Play Stage and Music Center
Western’s AS Child Development Center wishes first to acknowledge the sacred ancestral ground beneath our feet so richly stewarded by the Coastal Salish People since time immemorial. It is our program's philosophy that nurturing a relationship between children and their natural surroundings builds a positive relationship with, and respect for the Earth, which nourishes both mind and body and also our connection with each other. Our staff and families extend sincere gratitude for the past donations that brought our dreams for a natural play space to reality! Our outdoor classroom is growing closer to what we have long dreamed of, thanks to your financial support. We are nearing our goal!
Our final venture is building a stage deck and creating a musical area to be nestled among the trees at the northeast corner of the play yard. This would fulfill our desire to provide an open-ended platform for imaginary play, an observation deck for deer spotting and interfacing with community members who pass through, and an inspiration for dramatization and creative expression. This is our final phase, and we need your financial support. Any little bit of funding goes directly to children for years to come.
Goal: Raise $10,000 for construction and supplies to design and install a stage and music center
Purpose: To support our children's outdoor play and learning time to maximize development of their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual creativity while engaging with their natural surroundings.
Thank you so much for supporting Western’s early learners!
"I believe there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright."
-Henry David Thoreau
I’m so thankful for the many ways the CDC helped my son AJ and daughter Marina grow into the beautiful people they are today. I remember fondly dumping shoes full of sand out each night before we entered the house as AJ chattered excitedly about the trucks in the play area and his CDC friends. The mess caused by all that sand was worth it! He learned to collaborate, and his imagination was ignited through all that outdoor play. He received a kindness award when attending Happy Valley Elementary and I credit the CDC for the strong foundation that is helping him flourish in elementary school now.
--Angie Vandenhaak, mother of CDC alumni AJ (10) and Marina (13)
