Ep 9 | Field of Dreams: Building Wild Childhoods in Scotland with Cameron Sprague
Play Nature PodcastShow Notes
“We have really strong relationships with our children and our families, and that's what allows the adventures to come.” --Cameron Sprauge, Head of Nurseries-Stramash Social Enterprise
What if the secret to raising resilient, creative, confident kids was… play? Real play. Outdoors. With sticks, mud, and a whole lot of autonomy.
In this episode of the Play Nature Podcast host Rusty Keeler and his guest get curious about how wild play spaces help children build skills for life—and why a scraped knee might just be part of the plan.
Meet Cameron Sprague: nature play champion, outdoor educator, and all-around muddy-booted legend. From the forests of Scotland to the joyful chaos of Stramash Outdoor Nurseries, Cameron shares stories from his journey into nature-based education. Together they
Rusty and Cameron talk about planting trees, trusting children, building with pallets, embracing risk, and growing outdoor play from the ground up. They share visions for a world where children belong outside—rain or shine.
Top 3 muddy gems from Episode 9:
Risk is not the enemy—it's a teacher.
Trees are more than shade—they’re scaffolding for imagination.
Start small, think big—even a log and a dream can spark a movement.
Catch the conversation where Cameron and I look at some pictures of his original "field of dreams" on my YouTube channel @rustykeeler: youtube.com/watch?v=n0UFbz8Or-4
Links and Resources:
Balance and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom
Follow Cameron @cameronsprague on Facebook & X | @Cameronsprague02 on IG
Puddle Patter with Stramash Outdoor Nurseries on Spotify
vimeo.com/stramashoutdoor
ISO 4980:2023(en)
Benefit-risk assessment for sports and recreational facilities, activities and equipment
20 Ways to Create Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul
Rusty’s Nature Play Design Masterclass
Learn More: rustykeeler.com | @rusty_keeler_designs
Rusty’s FREE Outdoor Loose Parts Guide
More from Play Nature Podcast
Think about this…the best thing we can do for children is…less and then more. Less directing. Less correcting. Less rushing to the rescue. More mud. More mess. More wonder!
What if the answer to better learning, happier kids, and even easier classroom management is just outside the door?
What if play didn’t need a lesson plan? Or an outcome? Or a grown-up standing nearby explaining what’s supposed to happen next?
What happens when one kid climbs up the slide while another is coming down? Is going up the slide really dangerous? Or is it just one of those playground rules we’ve inherited without thinking too hard about it?
What happens when children meet a muddy hill, a dangling rope, and a whole lot of possibility? They climb. They slip. They tumble. They try again.