The Fall 2026 Pilot
Wild Child Play Labs is running a dedicated research pilot this fall.
Our aim is to investigate, rigorously and openly, how intentionally designed play ecologies foster self-regulation, peer connection, and resilience, establishing an empirical foundation for community expansion.
Canyon Heights
An after-school pilot for students in Grades 2–6, running Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00–4:30 PM, starting Tuesday, September 29 for 8 weeks.
Land-based, mixed-age outdoor sessions led by Play Guides who intentionally shape the environment, inviting kids to invent rules, adapt games, and collaborate across grades.
Supported on-site by Grade 7 Junior Play Guides.
Fully funded by the Wild Child Foundation.
How we're measuring it
The pilot follows a three-phase research model: an ecological developmental framework, structured field observation, and qualitative and quantitative feedback from children, parents, and educators. Supported by the Wild Child Foundation, led by our research partner Jordan Thoreson, and guided by our cross-disciplinary Advisory Board of leaders in psychology, community, and sports.
