Elements

I work for a private outdoor program called Elements. Elements looks to get kids outdoors in winter, loving and embracing the challenges and the beauty that winter provides. It was founded three years ago by Margaret Reitano. Margaret started this program after she had four kids and put aside a budding career in landscape architecture. She seems to always have been an entrepreneur and has always had an expansive social network. She used those qualities and her love for children and the outdoors and formulated it all into Elements.

This year is the biggest year yet with two separate programs running one Tuesday, one Thursday. The same kids do not attend each section, except Margaret's kids, they attend both. But there are two parks and two weekday after noons the families can choose from. Many of the kids know each other but not all of them. We have roughly 15-19 kids in each session and 4-5 instructors. Its also the biggest year due to record snowfalls and something people have called the "snowpocalypse". Its a bit much.

Coming from an Outward Bound background it is a real relief to see kids for about an hour of fun then sweep them back into their cars to go home with their parents. But it is limiting. There is a part of me that wishes for more time to chat with individuals and go a bit deeper with the understanding of the lessons. With that said I am also now exposed to the idea of just having a ton of fun!! And thats what we do...

snowy Olympic fun

igloo building fun

pre snowstorm dry ground elements

and by far and away the best photos of capture the flag and the fun we have at Elements