The Philosophy
Standing on Shoulders.
Standing on Shoulders.
Joining a Movement.
① The Giants (Thought Leaders)
We stand on the shoulders of researchers and advocates who’ve proven childhood independence isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Jonathan Haidt
Author, The Anxious Generation
- Social psychologist & professor at NYU Stern
- The Anxious Generation: #1 NYT bestseller, 1M+ copies
- Documents the shift from play-based to phone-based childhood
Lenore Skenazy
Founder, Let Grow Movement
- Author of Free-Range Kids & co-founder of Let Grow
- Sparked the free-range parenting movement nationally
- Keynoted TED, Microsoft, Harvard Medical School & Disney
Peter Gray
Evolutionary Psychologist
- Research psychologist at Boston College; author of Free to Learn
- Free play builds executive function & emotional resilience
- Co-founder of Let Grow with Haidt & Skenazy
Julie Lythcott-Haims
Author, How to Raise an Adult
- Former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University
- NYT bestseller: overparenting harms children & families
- Advocates for children’s autonomy & independent problem-solving
Rusty Keeler
Author, Natural Playscapes
- 30+ years designing natural adventure playscapes worldwide
- Author of Natural Playscapes & Adventures in Risky Play
- Pioneer of the outdoor risky play & loose parts movement
Camilo Ortiz
Developer, Independence Therapy for Child Anxiety
- Clinical psychologist at Long Island University
- Developed independence-based therapy for childhood anxiety
- Research proves exposure & autonomy outperform overprotection
② The Pioneers (Proof of Concept)
These adventure play spaces have proven the model works. Kids thrive with real materials and real freedom.
The Yard
Adventure playground pioneer
Camp Stomping Ground
Nature-based free play camp
Anarchy Zone
Unstructured urban play space
③ The Movement
A growing wave of parents, educators, and researchers reclaiming childhood freedom one neighborhood at a time.
⚖️ The Balance Project
🌿 Let Grow
🕐 OK To Delay