donate – Sparrow's Nest Play, INC.

A Special Day is Coming

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 vangierodenbeck

As an organization only 6 months old, we are experiencing a set of “firsts.” Some of them are cause for joyful celebration, while others leave us in rapt anticipation of good things to come. And so we stand at the beginning of our first #GivingTuesday fundraising campaign frantically researching every way we can extend our reach and accomplish our mission at Sparrow’s Nest Play.

One of the most discouraging parts about being “new” and “small” is the fact that many of our efforts at fundraising for #GivingTuesday will be swallowed up by larger and more established organizations that have campaigns they paid to develop and push out. We’re homegrown here at Sparrow’s Nest Play, so every piece of graphic design, video and marketing was done on my personal laptop and posted by me. And as I told my Board of Directors at our quarterly meeting last week, even if we did have the funds for that kind of fundraising campaign, I’m not sure it falls in line with our values.

We’ve set a goal of $1500 to assist our budget needs in the first quarter of 2022. The overwhelming majority of these funds (70% of those raised) will be distributed in the form of scholarships allowing children to attend Sparrow’s Nest Play programming. The remainder of our funds will be dedicated to Operations/Marketing, items including our insurance, website fees and maintenance, and other promotional expenses. At this point in our journey, no one here at Sparrow’s Nest Play receives a salary or compensation. We are a 100% volunteer led organization at present.

The environment offered to children through Sparrow’s Nest Play benefits them and their families by providing an enrichment program designed to teach care for nature and our communities through a uniquely peaceful perspective, and the opportunity for them to have experiences and learn skills that many children raised in urban contexts may never get to have.

Through immersive play in nature, children at Sparrow’s Nest Play will:

Have a safe place to learn and grow.
Learn to care for creation through sustainable agricultural and consumer practices.
Learn the value of small things, such as small acts of love, kindness, and justice.
Experience being part of a membership with one another and with creation.
Develop and practice tools for peacemaking and reconciliation.

Consider supporting us at Sparrow’s Nest Play by donating to our mission. You can also support us by following us on our Facebook and Instagram pages and sharing our content so that word of our mission spreads.

creation care, donate, nature play, programs

Sponsorships Change Lives

August 19, 2021 vangierodenbeck

We’ve recently posted a series of articles about the Physical, Social-Emotional, and Cognitive benefits of exposure to nature. Without listing them all again, there is research-based evidence to support:

Extended time playing in nature creates the minds business leaders call “21st Century Leaders” – creative thinkers, innovators, problem solvers and collaborators
Nature play promotes healthy bodies during a time in our history when childhood obesity is at an all time high
Place-based learning and care for the natural world create learners who are adaptable, compassionate and interconnected to their community

At Sparrow’s Nest Play, we are in the process of putting together our VERY FIRST DAY of Mini-Camp. This day of learning will expose children to nature play through crafts, den building, tracking, nature journaling, and outdoor safety lessons. But we need funding to help get things started. Listed below are some of the ways your donations will add to the experience for a child at a day of Mini-Camp.

Please consider introducing a child to the wonders of creation by sponsoring a child or activity. Donations of any amount help us further our mission at Sparrow’s Nest Play.

donate

Buy Us A Book…Love Us Forever

August 6, 2021August 3, 2021 vangierodenbeck

Looking for a small way to show your support of Sparrow’s Nest Play in a tangible way? Well, buy us a book and you’ll be showing us how much you loved and supported this cause forever!

Education is a big part of what we hope to do at a session of Day Camp or our After School Program. Sometimes a well-written book to read aloud is the best springboard for community discussion and activity starters. We cover a lot of ground at Sparrow’s Nest Play. Some of our topics include:

Creation Care
Sustainable Agriculture
Responsible Consumer Practices
Acts of Love, Kindness, Mercy and Justice
Friendship and Community
Peacemaking and Reconciliation
the teachings of Jesus

It is our hope to have quite a library of literature for children and parents to access. If you know of a book resource you’d like to donate to “the nest,” we’d love to add it to our collection. Or you can help start our collection by checking out our Thriftbooks Wish List.

The small act of buying one of these resources can set a child’s imagination free to explore the world through a renewed sense of wonder. Please consider partnering with Sparrow’s Nest Play today as we play in nature, care for creation and teach just living.