Kinder Casa Foxes

A Gift of Nature Right Here in St. Catharines By Andrea Lopez When I first arrived in St. Catharines, I was nervous and excited—I had come for a job interview that could change everything for me and my family. But what I didn’t expect was to find a small treasure waiting for me right near the heart of the city: Lakeside Park Beach on the shores of Lake Ontario. After the interview, we decided to take a short walk with my little boy and husband to clear my mind. As I stepped onto the soft sand and felt the cool breeze off the water, something inside me lit up.  The wide, open lake sparkled under the sun, stretching endlessly into the horizon. It wasn’t just beautiful—it felt peaceful, grounding, and welcoming. I stood there thinking: What a blessing this place could be—not just for me, but for my little boy, Sebastian, who was only four at the time. As a parent, you’re always searching for safe, natural places where your child can play, explore, and grow. In that moment, I realize...

  Understanding Terra Viva's Risky Play philosophy by Andrea Lopez Growing up in a small city in Colombia, my grandmother's house, surrounded by trees and mountains, until the age of 6, was my kindergarten. I cannot recall any strict rules. On the contrary, I was encouraged to go play and return for lunch, and then go back into the Forest for the afternoon. I used to come back filthy and stinky after a day of exciting adventures. Since the age of 4, I was allowed to climb trees, build forts, make fire, be loud, and explore who I really was!  Was I at risk? perhaps. However, I was privileged enough to live in a safe neighbourhood that provided me and other children of my age with the opportunity to be a "free and wild " child. My experience cannot speak for other children who have grown up in different conditions or were a part of marginalized populations, where safety was simply not there. My introduction provides an overview of who I was as a child and how my experie...