The Power of Summer Play
Raise your hand if you loved summer as a kid. Now raise the other hand if you loved to play. It’s safe to say that many of you raised both hands (at least mentally). Somewhere along the line as we age, we tend to think that “play” is just for kids, though certain wording in our culture suggests otherwise. We are asked, “What sport do you play?” or “Have you seen that new play?” We also press play on our devices to hear our favorite songs, and so on. On some level, and quite often, we are reminded to play. And we follow the promise that we’ve come to know—play is fun.
Summer Play is our longest-running outdoor event, hosted Tuesdays in June, and July for the past six years. Each session has delighted and entertained the young, and not-so-young, in competition and activity. We take over Brookside Park with about ten game stations like portable basketball hoops, sack races, parachute games, kickball, and more. There is something for everyone. There are raffle prizes and music by our community DJ, DJ D. It’s a place where kids can just be kids. It’s a place where they can lighten their load, and everything is free food and fun.
The timing of Summer Play is spot on. Our communities are under extreme pressure. Our fragility becomes more obvious when we’re isolated. As tensions rise in the summer, it more important than ever to come together. Play changes the narrative by giving the community a way to exercise our ability to get along; to play well with others instead of drifting further apart. How a person plays points to their potential. It is a tool that we can use to point kids in the right direction. But it’s not only for kids. When adults allow themselves to play, it gives them permission to be a kid again. It helps them remember the unique language of play that children speak. For both kids and adults, play puts us at ease. Defenses come down and instead of focusing on our differences, we are given the opportunity to celebrate together.
You may find yourself saying, "I don’t really need to do that." However, it’s in our best interest. Matthew 18:3-4,” Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 4 gives us a way to apply this, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” So, this posture is one of humility. It puts us in a position of dependence giving us a teachable spirit. We need these types of reminders that Summer Play encourages. It’s another example of Brookside’s holistic gospel-centered approach to meeting people where they are while building relationship. Summer Play sets the stage for transformation and renewal in the Brookside community.
Coming together now is crucial to how we recover and thrive as a society. Brookside CDC recognizes that Play is not only integral to a child's development but also beneficial to adults. As adults, we can tap into the language of play to communicate with children on another level. And we can access the humility that faith requires. As with all generations, our children are our future. Lessons they learn at Summer Play can affect future decisions large and small. They deserve the best that we can give them because we know they’ll need it.