03/30/2026
I am often asked how I make TimberNook accessible to everyone, and while the specifics can change, the one thing that is important to remember is that everybody deserves a chance to play the TimberNook way.
Trust the process.
Step back and tune in.
It can be tempting to step in too soon and come up with a handful of reasons why it's okay to have more adult presence with kids who seem to need it more.
However, we are not giving kids enough credit when we do this. Learning how to manage appropriate risk taking in a child with physical and cognitive delays is just as important as it is for neurotypical kids to learn these skills.
This photo is just one small reminder that kids can help each other. They can recognize a call for help and step in to help only as much as the child needs to become part of the group. To play and experience the magic of TimberNook safely until they see the child has mastered the skill. This is the beauty of multi-age and all ability play.
After several kids took turns making sure this camper could climb their build to the slide, he eventually gained the confidence and the skill to do it on his own. He became part of the group and he grew so much more than if I would have held his hand every time I got nervous he may fall. I heard his ask for help, and so did the campers. They found a way to communicate and they figured it out together. Without an adult telling them what to do.
