After some searching, much hesitation, and a little resistance, Go Outside and Play finally has a home. There were a number of other places that I shopped and each one of them had some pluses and minuses. Some were huge and expensive but with excellent location, another was small and expensive with a perfect location. Yet another one was extremely tiny and really expensive. Then a friend called and suggested I checked out this Quonset Hut in a rootsy little Malibu enclave just off Cross Creek. It is just right. There is no longer a For Rent sign hanging in the window!
So, the rent is paid, the contract negotiated, and the move-in date is this coming Saturday. Scott and I will spend much of the weekend cleaning and gutting and then we, and a number of other friends (just call me to be put on the work list!), will be busy at work transforming the insides during the remainder of the month. Equipment begins arriving soon and a possible soft opening will likely happen on September 8th at 6am. It seems there will be a line out the door... stay tuned for more about how to be in attendance on that ground-breaking day!
Even if you can't make it on that first day- I look forward to each person- friend, client, member, guest- contributing to the sense of place within GOAP's headquarters. The space will be a location for learning about what the body is capable of, a place to push the boundaries of the mind, and an environment to connect with others in the community as we develop a stronger more powerful connection with ourselves and our surroundings. (And of course, increase work capacity across broad time and modal domains.)
While researching and teaching in Thailand- I experienced some ideas about the importance of creating space in which a community can thrive. Presented by Parker Palmer; a writer, educator and senior associate of the American Association of Higher Education, one image of teaching that has guided his educational mission is his idea that “to teach is to create a space in
which the community of truth is practiced.” (The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher’s life.1998, p. 90).
Put simply, I look forward to spending time teaching, learning, working and pushing ourselves alongside the GOAP community in this new space!
Here are 2 articles that have something to do with space and place-based-education. The first is short and sweet, the other a bit longer and well, a little less sweet.
Read, THEN, Go Outside and Play!
http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/education-for-life/803
http://www.essays.se/about/Michael+Laden+Anderson/
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Very exciting! This is going to be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI was bored today in my cubicle and noted that "space" is the subject of page 66-69 or so of the "Thesis". Yes, I read the whole thing. Nice to see someone who actually practices what he he put on paper (or PC, or Laptop, etc.)
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