Now that the weather is easing off of a swampy, soaked August, we at the Makerspace are finding ways to get back outdoors, and finding opportunities with our friends on campus to add a bit to their projects and built environments before our beloved students return. This month’s case: the Scott Arboretum’s Discovery Woods project!

This project, a large outdoor kids-themed intervention in the garden grounds behind Swarthmore Friends Meeting, was piloted by Rachel Warren, the Assistant Education Programs Manager for the Arboretum. Rachel and her collaborators have created a wonderful outdoor play/exploration space under the trees on a beautiful slope on the North side of campus, complete with meandering paths,

Rachel asked us to help create some signage, wayfinding markers, and accessories to help hold materials for educational activities. The Makerspace has (among other hoarded things) a store of resilient outdoor materials, and we worked together with Rachel to create friendly and welcoming objects that would stand up to the elements. More projects with the Arboretum Discovery Woods to come!