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Adventure Playground
Directions
to the Berkeley Marina
Adventure Playground made the Best Creative Play
space in Diablo magazine for 2007. We have been written about
in the Chronicle, the Boston Globe and Newsweek this month- We are one of
the Top 5 play spaces in the country.
Open:
Saturdays & Sundays 11 a.m. -
4 p.m.
Reservations
for midweek school groups available depending on staff availability.
CLOSED if it is raining.
For special
summer activities check here.
Fees: FREE for four children or less
if they are accompanied by adults.
- $7 for children over 7yrs old without an adult who are registered drop ins
. This is payable in the Nature Center only. Drop
in's on Saturday only. We have no staff in the Nature Center on
Sundays to give receipts.
For Group reservations info go further down this page.
History and background
The Adventure Playground at the Berkeley Marina was
opened in 1979. It is a wonderfully unique outdoor facility where
staff encourage children to play and build creatively. Come climb on
the many unusual kid designed and built forts, boats, and towers.
Ride the zip line or hammer, saw, and paint. By providing these low
risk activities Adventure Playground creates opportunities for children to
learn cooperation, meet physical challenges and gain self confidence. new- Pictures of a fort building
project
The concept for Adventure Playgrounds originated in
Europe after World War II, where a playground designer studied children
playing in the "normal" asphalt and cement playgrounds. He
found that they preferred playing in dirt and lumber from the post war
rubble. He realized that children had the most fun designing and
building their own equipment and manipulating their environment. The
formula for Adventure Playgrounds includes Earth, fire, water, and lots of
creative materials.
Who should come?
Adventure Playground is designed for children seven years old and older,
however younger children are welcome as long as they are within arms reach
of a participating adult .
What should we wear?
Wear clothes that can get dirty, wet, painted on and You may
consider bringing a change of clothes for wet or muddy days. Everyone
must wear sturdy shoes like tennis shoes, not flip flops, sandals or clogs.
How can I help when I am there?
When you are here, please watch your children, be our extra eyes and ears
and if you see things that might be dangerous, please tell the staff and
they might need your help so
they can fix it.
We have 5 X 7 informational cards for adults to
use for each job that they can help with, just ask at the desk. 1.
Small wood helper- Assisting kids with clamps and picking out the soft
woods for them to learn to saw on. At the base of the trolley shoveling sand, Monitoring the trolley, and we always need people to assist us behind the tool counter passing out
tools to the children. Please clarify the job with staff so you know which
tools should not go out.
 We are always looking for volunteers
to help in the playground- must be 14 or older. Students can get community
service hours helping on weekends or in the summer.
We welcome donations of scrap materials that stimulate creative play: 8D,
and 16D nails, washable tempera paint, large 3/4" or 1" plywood pieces, 2 by 4's, or very small
blocks of wood, tile pieces, etc... Please do not leave any
materials that you would not want a young child to handle with bare hands-
no metal, sharp, splintery wood or house paint.
Warning-Our playground paint is
water based tempera (school paint) and it may not come out of clothing
even with pre treating.
Can I drop off my child?
Here is the School year drop in
registration form.
yes, Children seven years and older may stay in the playground
without their parents for up to three hours on
Saturday not Sunday. A current registration form
must be on file and
parents must sign their children in and out.
You need to
pay the $7 in the Nature Center and
bring the receipt to the playground staff to be admitted to the
drop in program.
Pick up time is no later than
1/2 hour before we close.
What about if my child wants to be dropped off with a friend?
Have their parents download this form, fill out this
registration and the waiver and bring it with you when you come. Pay the
fee in the Nature Center and bring the receipt to the playground. No
waiver, no drop off. Everyone fills out a new form for the School
year-
GROUP RESERVATIONS
For safety reasons, groups of 5 or more
who show up without reservations, will be asked to leave. Only confirmed
groups will be allowed to enter.
- For weekend reservations- please call
three weeks or more ahead, dates fill fast.
The weekends time slots are 11a.m.-1 p.m. , and
1:30a.m.-3:30p.m.
- Groups of five or more children must
make a reservation and pay a fee. For 5-10 children $55 per
2 hours,11-20 children $78 per 2 hours, 21-30 children $111 per 2
hours. 31-40
children is $132 per 2 hours.
- During the school
year Special mid week reservations can be
available for groups depending on the availability
of staff.
Here is a group reservation
form
Your reservation is not confirmed until all three steps are complete:
- You have spoken to us in person or on the phone
and we have penciled you into our calendar. 510 981-6720.
- We receive a completed reservation form and
full payment.
- You receive a written confirmation from us.
If you have to cancel your reservation,
Please do so promptly as we have waiting lists for dates. In order for you
to get your money back you need to cancel no later than 2 weeks before
your date. Rain dates can be rescheduled or if you need a refund you need
to send the receipt and a letter explaining why you need to cancel to the
Nature Center office.
Summer 2006 Staff Newsletter
Listen
to the sounds of Adventure Playground on National Public Radio.
For more information about Adventure Playgrounds see
this website: http://adventureplaygrounds.hampshire.edu
We now have JOB OPENINGS for Fall -
You would work on weekends, must have at least two years
experience working with children, and or a specialized talent working with
carpentry. Must be 18 years or older. Job is out of doors, fun in the sun. Pay is
$15.17 per
hour. Please down load the application here or call now for an
application to be mailed to your home. Detailed
job description & Application
To get back into the Marina
Experience web pages click here
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