Philadelphia Declaration of Play: Bringing Back Childhood for the Future of Society

The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is pleased to host a three-day event designed to educate, inspire, and help adults join forces to promote a healthier quality of childhood. Please click on the calendar buttons above to register for one, two or all three of the following activities:

Friday, September 20th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Smith Memorial Playground

You are invited to an informal gathering that will set the stage for a productive and inspiring experience on Saturday. The event includes food and drinks and time to play, record play memories, speak with presenters, and meet and network with others committed to improving the lives of children.

Saturday, September 21st, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Bryn Mawr College

A day-long event with three internationally recognized leaders in the movement to improve the quality of childhood and society. The morning keynote session features Susan Linn, Ed.D. (Director, Commercial Free Childhood), Joan Almon (Co-Founder of the Alliance for Childhood), and Penny WIlson (Playworker in London, England), with discussant Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek. In the afternoon, local experts and advocates will lead break out sessions where particpants will learn more about integrating ideas into meaningful social action. includes morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon snacks. Workshop descriptions can be viewed here. Participants will recieve an email to sign-up for two of their preferred workshops closer to the event.

Continuing education credits are available from Bryn Mawr College for social workers and counselors, and from Widener University for psychologists:

1) Continuing education credit for this program is provided by Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for a maximum of 3 credit hours. As a CSWE accredited program, Bryn Mawr College GSSWSR is a pre-approved provider of continuing education for social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists in PA and many other states.

Or 2) Three CE credits will be offered to participants for completing post-workshop forms. The Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Widener Univeristy, is approved byt he American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Widener University maintains responsibility for the program and its contents

The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is also offering PQAS (PA Quality Assurance System) Professional Development Hours for OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning) funded daycare centers. Examples of OCDEL funded initiatives include providers participating in the Keystone Stars, Pre-K Counts, Nurse Family Practitioner, Keystone Babies, and Head Start Supplemental initiatives). Staff of OCDEL funded centers will receive three (3) hours for the morning keynote session. Please register under CE credits to ensure that you receive your hours.

Sunday, September 22nd, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Smith Memorial Playground

Join Penny Wilson for a hands-on workshop on the Playworker movement and playworker profession, and learn what you can do, at work or at home, to promote play. Sunday session limited to 20 participants.

Directions and Accommodations
For directions to Smith Memorial Playground for events on Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 22, please visit: http://smithplayground.org/directions/

On Saturday, September 21, events at Bryn Mawr College will take place in and near Thomas Great Hall.

For directions to Bryn Mawr College, please visit: http://www.brynmawr.edu/campus/directions.html

On campus, the closest parking lot to Thomas Great Hall is the Campus Center Lot.

For participants requiring overnight accommodations, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West, 4010 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131. To make a reservation, log on to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/e7dc8364 or call 888.233.9527 and mention that you are attending the Philadelphia Declaration of Play. A group rate will be offered until the cutoff date of August 28th, after which all rates will be based upon availability.