I thoroughly enjoyed this activity and look forward to participating in more events like this in the future, and perhaps even organizing similar events myself.

The two talks I attended focused on unstructured play and inquiry. I was eager to join these discussions to gain insights from others on these topics.

It was fascinating to hear everyone’s perspectives and comfort levels regarding unstructured play. During the conversation, I shared a story with my group that I’d like to recount here.

One afternoon, while teaching at Oak and Orca, the students began discussing the “mat game.” When I inquired about it, they simply replied, “Just wait and you will see.” So, during physical education class, we ventured out onto the field with five or six large mats. As a newcomer to the school, I couldn’t believe what I witnessed. There was a group of 15 students, ranging in age from 4 to 17. Two kids at a time would hop onto a mat and attempt to through the other one off. Initially, it seemed chaotic and even a bit alarming, as some students would aggressively try to throw others off the mat, resulting in tears. However, whenever someone got hurt, they all paused to check in with each other and inquire if they wanted to continue. Later, my mentor explained how they were learning about consent, understanding what a “yes” and “no” feel like, through playing this game.

Initially, I struggled to see the benefits of this game. However, after discussing it with my mentor and the students, I gained a full understanding and appreciation for it.

However It was not as funny as this wrestling…

I find the concept of Ed Camp intriguing because it allows you to hear stories from others and gain deeper insights into topics you may not be familiar with.