Nine kids, two adults, one teenager, twelve bikes, five days of biking, five nights of camping, tons of support from family, friends and the Arlington community and an idea turns into a reality…
Several months ago, my friend Joey and I came up with an idea to start a kid’s camp that uses outdoor adventure as a means to encourage alternative learning opportunities as well as promote physical and emotional well being. After talking to friends, family, teachers and school administrators about our ideas for the camp we knew we were on to something that would interest parents and engage their kids. Word started to spread about our camp - and we needed a name: Sol Play Adventures. In Spanish, Sol means “sun” and elicits thoughts of the outdoors and its vast resources. And Sol Play makes one think of “fun in the sun!” SOL is also the abbreviation for Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL). These two meanings converge to form the core theme of Sol Play Adventures. 
We decided to test the concept with two camps this summer. In the inaugural camp, held last week, nine kids joined Joey and I on a C&O Canal Bike Adventure where we explored the middle section of the C&O Canal. We started our journey at the Paw Paw Tunnel (in Paw Paw, West Virginia), and completed our adventure in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Every day was full of memorable experiences. On the very first night, we witnessed the most amazing natural light show - courtesy
among the trees lining the C&O Canal tow path. We hiked through the nearly mile long pitch black Paw Paw tunnel canal at night, our headlamps night vision setting casting an eerie red glow. Some of the kids, who were initially hesitant about entering the long dark tunnel, found they were intrigued by the structure and started asking questions about it – opening the door for Joey and I to discuss the history of the tunnel and the canal. The kids were able to apply information they learned in school and explore concepts in greater detail. Our goal was to never directly answer a question. As much as we could, we answered questions by asking them additional questions. It was fun for Joey and I to watch the kids figure out the answers to their own questions. It was clear to Joey and I from the first night that the underlying concept for Sol Play was a solid one.
As the week progressed and they got to know each other better, the kids had surprisingly deep and mature conversations - like the one they had about what being “normal” means. These conversations began very organically by the kids and involved little to no adult interaction.
 |
| Competitive Uno |
It was equally rewarding to see the kids sit around a single table eating ice cream in Harpers Ferry as we neared the end of our trip. There were several empty tables available, yet they all elected to sit together at one table – and talked and laughed for nearly an hour with no adult involvement. They had bonded as a result of the adventure and it was a good thing!
 |
| Dam 4 Caves |
The day after our return I surveyed several parents to find out what their kids had thought about the trip and I was pleased to hear that overwhelmingly they had a great time. Some of the stories they told their parents were expected: “Glow”, the stray cat we encountered at our first camp site near Fifteen Mile Creek; eating pies at Weavers in Hancock, MD; fish nibbling on their toes in Antietam Creek, MD; hiding in the nooks and crannies of the caves we explored along the trail (headlamps off); bragging about being in the “fast pace group” or the advantages of riding in “leisure pace” group; and observing wildlife, and debating who had the “best” and “worst” of everything.
What surprised me was that many of the kids' stories focused on their newly acquired knowledge of the C&O canal. They were eager to explain to their parents how the locks worked, the mechanics behind raising a railroad track over the canal so canal boats can pass under it as needed, why the canal was necessary, why it was ultimately a financial failure and the canal’s role in the Civil War.
 |
| Operating a canal lock in Williamsport |
The trip left me physically exhausted but at the same time exhilarated. Sol Play Adventure’s next trip will be August 29th – September 2nd in Confluence, PA. Keeping in line with Sol Play’s mission – the adventure will include educational links, physical challenges, personal achievement and lots of fun. We still have a couple slots available – so let me know if you are interested!
 |
| Antietam Creek - Fishy Pedicure |
of thousands of fireflies dancing
Several months ago, my friend Joey and I came up with an idea to start a kid’s camp that uses outdoor adventure as a means to encourage alternative learning opportunities as well as promote physical and emotional well being. After talking to friends, family, teachers and school administrators about our ideas for the camp we knew we were on to something that would interest parents and engage their kids. Word started to spread about our camp - and we needed a name: Sol Play Adventures. In Spanish, Sol means “sun” and elicits thoughts of the outdoors and its vast resources. And Sol Play makes one think of “fun in the sun!” SOL is also the abbreviation for Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL). These two meanings converge to form the core theme of Sol Play Adventures. 
We decided to test the concept with two camps this summer. In the inaugural camp, held last week, nine kids joined Joey and I on a C&O Canal Bike Adventure where we explored the middle section of the C&O Canal. We started our journey at the Paw Paw Tunnel (in Paw Paw, West Virginia), and completed our adventure in Harpers Ferry, WV.
