During this holiday season I've spent a fair amount of time just playing with my family and friends. Turns out the brain circuitry for play is situated in ancient regions of the brain, and for good reason. Play is what wires our brains to interact with others in positive ways.

"The experience of play changes the connections of the neurons at the front end of your brain," says Sergio Pellis, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. "And without play experience, those neurons aren't changed," he says. It is those changes in the prefrontal cortex during childhood that help wire up the brain's executive control center, which has a critical role in regulating emotions, making plans and solving problems, Pellis says.

A childhood filled with play has been closely tied to healthy brain development as well as better social-emotional and cognitive skills. Play in adulthood also has a range of benefits, including stress relief and increased creativity. On the flip side - a lack of play can have dire consequences.

Psychiatrist Stuart Brown began researching the importance of human play nearly 60 years ago. After discovering an absence of play in the life of Charles Whitman - the man who committed one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history - Dr. Brown led teams that did further investigation. One team researched men who were jailed for murder, and another studied men who were killed while driving drunk. In both cases, the research revealed that the subjects had experienced a lack of play in their lives.

Peace and play go hand in hand. Play develops our curiosity, imagination and creativity - all core elements of nonviolent problem solving and direct action campaigns. FNVW's experiential programs incorporate play in big ways. Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops embed playful "light and livelies" throughout every workshop. And People Camp offers ample opportunities for unstructured free play time for children and adults alike.

As I look to the New Year ahead, I am going to prioritize play. I invite you to do the same! Maybe you'll sign up for the AVP workshop happening at the end of January. Or even come to People Camp in August! Whatever form play takes, taking time to play together will not be wasted time.

With revolutionary love,
Leah

People Camp is a unique, one week, intergenerational community living experience run by FNVW and open to all. 

At People Camp you'll discover: 

• Shared community life and work
• Opportunities for recreation and connection
• Inspiring social justice themed workshops and action opportunities

3-day and 7-day camp options will be available again this year!

Workshop registration is now open for individuals interested in continuing their journey towards becoming an AVP workshop facilitator. We're especially dedicated to developing our team of youth workshop facilitators. Register today!

January AVP Community Workshop
Training for Facilitators (T4F) Level  

The three day in-person workshop schedule is:  

Fri, Jan 12th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Central Time)
Sat, Jan 13th, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - lunch & dinner included
Sun, Jan 14th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - lunch included

sign up today to reserve your spot

January AVP Community Workshop
Basic Level  

The three day in-person workshop schedule is:  

Fri, Jan 26th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Central Time)
Sat, Jan 27th, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - lunch & dinner included
Sun, Jan 28th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - lunch included

sign up today to reserve your spot