Carden Country School students, parents and friends welcomed “Tinker Tutor” and play advocate Kevin Mills to the school’s 25th birthday bash Saturday, May 14.

The wet weather did not deter children and grownups alike from having a great time.

As Mills unloaded his truck of loose parts, fifth-grader Ryan Williams happily assisted and was immediately intrigued by all of the different components. Plenty of clean cardboard, spools, duct tape and the like were put to use as creative juices began to flow. Students had the opportunity to discover and engage in open, free play. From binoculars to a sailing ship, there was no limit to the number of different ways the components were fashioned, and working collaboratively, children self-organized to construct and deconstruct objects of all varieties.

Later Mills offered a presentation to parents about the importance and benefits of child-directed play.

“Being allowed access to wild, free-range type of play is essential in developing into competent adulthood,” Mills said.

Carol O’Neill-Hasko, PE teacher and Spartan Race trainer, devised a challenging obstacle course which had kids testing their agility and speed as they challenged their parents and each other for the fastest times.

Amanda Wright provided a time capsule and encouraged everyone to write their fondest Carden memory to be unearthed in a few years. The afternoon concluded with birthday cake and ice cream and carloads of happy children.

For more information about Adventure Playgrounds, visit Kevin’s facebook page PlayCzar or email him at 3Dppoet@gmail.com.

Carden Country School, an interdenominational Christian school on Bainbridge Island, serves students in grades K-8. For more information about Carden Country School, find the school on the web at www.cardencountryschool.org or on Facebook.