How a hotel in Houston solidified my mission.

What an incredible journey it has been!

After three flights, two cheeseburgers, lots of peanut M&M's, and one Uber ride, I've finally arrived in Houston, TX. Months ago, I embarked on a mission to spread the word about the vital importance of getting children outside. I applied to speak at two conferences, one in my home state of Maine and another in the place where it all began: Texas.

To my delight, both conferences accepted my proposal to speak on "Breaking Play Barriers." This presentation aimed to uncover inherited narratives, ideas, fears, and often false reasons that prevent us from embracing the outdoors, letting play lead the way, and trusting children to guide us toward deep, impactful learning.

This week, I made the trek to Houston to present at the Texas Children in Nature Conference. It was truly eye-opening in many ways. A sign in the lobby served as a powerful reminder of the importance of going against the grain, swimming upstream, and populating our flock. Even after seven years of living outside the conventional boxes, these printed words reminded me that I was not about to stop.

Texas is home to numerous organizations passionately promoting the initiative to get children connected with nature. From the National Wildlife Federation to the Audubon Society, local land trusts, sanctuaries, preserves, nature centers, and botanical gardens – they were all there, buzzing with excitement about their emerging and thriving nature programs for children of all ages.

What struck me was the absence of teachers among the hundreds of attendees. It got me thinking – where were the administrators, policymakers, change makers, feather rufflers, and fearless play advocates? Where were the directors leading their teaching teams to pave the way for change? It made me see our mission in a new light – a focus on community roots and outreach.

Here in Maine, we're making significant strides toward outdoor learning standards, blessed to have a state that recognizes the value of connecting children with nature. Texas seemed to have had a different approach, leaving me to ponder on community organizations and incorporating affiliates into our grassroots programs.

So, here's an idea and an invitation: if you are seeking a supportive community of parents, caregivers, families, grandparents, administrators – put out a call. Post in your local Facebook groups, markets, and libraries. Meet in person at a local preserve or nature center, and get to know it inside and out. Foster relationships with people and those who manage the location. Beautiful things will come of it, so long as you don't stop showing up. Start somewhere, and why not start now – perhaps just outside your back door and for free!

Maybe having green spaces built into our local communities is a way to normalize outdoor exploration for all. In the meantime, if you're seeking support, love, and inspiration, consider joining the Nature and Play-Based Consortium. It's a free community for those who want to seek and facilitate change.

Stay tuned for more updates on my Texas adventure, but for now, I'm taking some much-needed rest and restoration after the incredible experience of connecting with people and gathering knowledge over the last four days.

Always beside you,

Ade