Wilder Imagination!

This pilot program took place for 3 days for six hours each day in the woods by Ashfield’s historic grist mill site.

Set in nature, children explored their imaginations while immersed in nature. there were 7 children who took part, ages 6-7 years old.

It was an intuitive program which gave children space to explore freely in nature while being given prompts and instruction by artists leaders. Activities included:

• world-building: we made a large scale fort, mobiles, a bridge, and more

• wild & mythical character/ creature creation: inspired by the famous folk tale, Gimpl the Fool, children created their own characters in relation to this story

• poetic objects and alters: children explored in the woods in search of objects that evoked feelings of love, mystery, and memory. these objects became subjects of group sharings as well as creation of a sacred group space for special found objects.

• sound and music making: using instruments and objects, and group singing

• adornment: children used natural objects to adorn themselves as well as for camouflage/ blending into their environment.

Photo Gallery