Over the years, we have created a safe and stimulating environment together for children to explore, learn, and grow outside. We have witnessed firsthand the transformational effects of outdoor play on almost 10,000 children over the past 9 years, and our goal is to grow this number as we move into 2025.

Outdoor play is increasingly recognized as a foundation for children's healthy development. Children are hard-wired to need nature and to play in their natural environments. Research shows that unstructured play that takes place outdoors is vital to children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Our WILD CHILD Outdoor Playgroups take place in the forest three times weekly all year round – in all weather. We provide a child-led adventure during which children crawl, hike, skip, climb, hop, ask questions, roll, and balance their way through the forest. Mud and puddles are a bonus! The play is intense and powerful. It is play with purpose! Children are investigating, program-solving, being curious and creative. WILD CHILD sets children on a positive trajectory for life-long inquiry and learning.

Most importantly, our changing climate directly impacts public health, environmental stability, and economic prosperity – all of which contribute to a community’s ability to thrive and be well. It is recognized that efforts like our WILD CHILD playgroups ensure that children understand and value the natural world globally and in their own backyards. Children need to be given opportunities to be in nature – to smell it, touch it, hear it and feel it – to make those connections. We are literally cultivating the future stewards of the environment.

This is where you come in. This unique award-winning playgroup relies solely on the generosity of donors like you! In 2025, to continue offering WILD CHILD free to all London families, we must raise $20,000. Every dollar counts – please be as generous as you can.

Here are some ways your donation can make a difference:

A gift of $50 would sponsor a child to attend WILD CHILD Summer Camp for a day.
A donation of $250 can bring a local Indigenous Storyteller to share knowledge and deepen children’s connection to the land.
A contribution of $500 supports a child's participation in our outdoor playgroups for an entire year.

give to wild child

Every donation, no matter the size, will bring us closer to our goal. You can make a tax-deductible donation through Canada Helps, or you can make a donation directly by email at info@childreach.on.ca or by phone at 519-434-3644 x643.

Prioritizing getting children outside in nature inspires curiosity, ignites passion, and cultivates their creativity. Together, we can ensure that our children have the freedom to explore and learn in nature’s vast, exciting playground!

Warmly,

Qi Hui

Board Fundraising Chair

The Natural World is better with WILD CHILD!