SPONSORED CONTENT
WORDS BY JAMES LAYNE
The Orchard School’s New Nature Playgrounds
This Indianapolis school combines teaching, learning and playing with new natural playgrounds.
Nature has always been part of the curriculum at The Orchard School. Now, students will have even more nature to explore. The Orchard School recently finished construction on three new natural playgrounds on campus, with the idea that they will serve as so much more than just playgrounds. They are outdoor classrooms, an outdoor oasis, and a world of learning and exploration. These new spaces complement all of the existing outdoor learning spaces at Orchard, and provide even more opportunities to inspire creativity and the natural curiosity of children. The natural playgrounds include three outdoor covered amphitheaters with electricity and Wi-Fi, climbing walls, gaga pits, tree decks, sensory paths, musical play areas and
plant-based Astroturf covering massive play hills. These playgrounds will allow students to have an incredibly unique learning experience. The possibilities are endless and will serve Orchard students and the community for years to come. Orchard reached its goal to complete three new natural playgrounds in September 2020. The school community came together to raise more than $1.4 million to complete this project, which is part of their $11 million capital campaign, "Celebrating our Roots. Cultivating for the Future." Everyone is invited to see these one-of-a-kind playgrounds at Orchard's open house on May 16. RSVP at orchard.org/tour.
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May 2021 I INDYSCHILD.COM
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