Every Monday, Abi James packs three kids and a good portion of her garage into her car. Sometimes, it’s so full, it’s nearly up to the roof.
Five minutes down the road, she pulls into a DOC car park. Others begin to emerge, ready for their own adventure — resplendent in boots and jackets. The weather is average, but the attitude is far from it.
“There is no bad weather, just pick your plan or dress accordingly,” James said, watching her group prepare for a day outdoors.
James founded the Fiordland Outdoor Playgroup three years ago, inspired by her love for the outdoors and her mother’s background in early childhood education.
“I was terrified no one would show up,” she said.
But the group grew quickly as more families shared her vision.
“The main purpose of it was always to just get families out into the natural environment and just show our kids what’s out here.”
During those three years, the playgroup has never been cancelled.
“We’ll go out in the snow,” James said.
She has seen firsthand the impact of being in the great outdoors has on the kids.
“I do find that, once they settle into their environment, they become calmer, and they actually start to get so creative.”
Being outdoors, James believed, was not just good for the body but also good for the spirit.
“We just want to get the kids outside, get them connecting with nature, connecting with each other.”
