Welcome to the US Play Coalition!
The US PLAY Coalition is a partnership to promote the value of play throughout life.
The first play movement started the early 1900`s. Now, given the many problems with obesity and other social ills that have occurred with the erosion of play opportunities, it is time to begin the second great play movement. We ask you to help us as we do so. The time has come for all of us to help our children, and citizens regardless of age, create a better life, and ultimately, to make a difference in today’s world by making joys and benefits associated with play a reality for all.
Webepisodes of 2013 Conference on the Value of Play keynote and featured speakers available NOW!
Keynote and Featured Speakers from 2013 Play Conference
This year, we are excited to offer webisodes of many of our keynote and featured speakers from the 2013 Conference on the Value of Play. Each video is approximately 45 minutes long and the topics are presented by leaders in the field.
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US Play Coalition Names First Executive Director
Fran Mainella (L) and Carly Summers (R): Two Play Champions at Clemson University
The US Play Coalition housed in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department in the College of Health, Education, and Human Development, has named Carly Summers as its first executive director. She will work closely with the US Play Coalition Co-Chairs and founders Fran Mainella and Dr. Brett Wright to continue to build the success and presence of the Coalition regionally, nationally, and internationally.
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Celebrating a Great 2013 Conference on the Value of Play
The 2013 Play Team
The 2013 Conference on the Value of Play: Taking Action was an outstanding success with over 300 people participating in more than 70 educational sessions and 10 countries represented including Denmark, Kenya, Canada, England, and the Netherlands. Plan to join the fun next year at the 2014 Conference on the Value of Play, February 15-19.
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Available Now: the 2012 Conference on the Value of Play speaker collection on DVD
We are excited to announce that DVDs of the 2012 Conference on the Value of Play: Multi-Generational Actions and Strategies are now available for purchase! You can order the seven DVD set that includes video of all of our keynote and many of our featured speakers. This is great to share with colleagues and friends who were unable to attend and to relive conference highlights!
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Plan to attend the 2013 Conference on the Value of Play: Taking Action!
Everything you need to know to be part of the 2013 Conference on the Value of Play: Taking Action, scheduled for February 17-20 at Clemson University, South Carolina, is now available!
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Croquet in the Park
A game of croquet can be a great way to visit with friends, practice your strategic thinking, and play. Read how this group has been playing for nine years and consider starting your own game of croquet in the park.
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Adult recreation leagues on the rise
Finding fun and friendship on the court or field is becoming a popular pastime for adults of all ages. This article again highlights the importance of adult recreation leagues and the active play they inspire.
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Mike Lanza on the value of undefined playspaces
Lanza extends the playspace definition to include not only parks, sports fields, and playgrounds, but to also front yards, back yards, sidewalks, courtyards, creeks, and woods.
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Consider Meaningful Play
NAEYC explores the components of a meaningful play experience: decision-making, intrinsic motivation, immersion, spontaneity, and enjoyment.
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Summer Camp and the Great Outdoors
Consider a camp experience this summer to ignite or reignite a passion for the outdoors that is healthy for mind and soul.
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National Safety Month - June 1 to June 30 - Each June, the National Safety Council encourages organizations to get involved and participate in National Safety Month. NSM is an annual observance to educate and influence behaviors around leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths.
Great Outdoors Month 2013 - June 1 to June 30 - Excitement is growing across the nation about plans for Great Outdoors Week and Great Outdoors Month 2013. Great Outdoors Month celebrates a variety of important events and actions that occur during June, and highlights the benefits of active fun outdoors and our magnificent shared resources of forests, parks, refuges and other public lands and waters. Great Outdoors Week (June 1-8) showcases efforts enhancing outdoor recreation for all Americans in the 21st century through awards, briefings and other events in the Nation’s Capital.
Deadline July 24 – Call for Proposals on Public Health Law Research - June 12 to July 24 - The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released the 2013 Call for Proposals on “Public Health Law Research: Making the Case for Laws that Improve Health.” The program seeks to build evidence for and strengthen the use of regulatory, legal and policy solutions to improve public health. Policies about recess, physical activity, unstructured play, and liability statutes for schoolyard playgrounds might be possible play topics to tie into the call.
Vote now until July 15 - Win $100,000 from Coca-Cola for your favorite park - June 12 to July 15 - Having fun and getting fit outdoors just became a great way to win funding for your favorite park. Coca-Cola has kicked off the fourth-annual “America is Your Park” campaign where people can vote for their favorite park to win up to $100,000. What are you waiting for?