Coach’s Handbook & Resources

where you go to find the things you need, the forms to fill out. stuff like that.

Introduction

What is Playformance?

Playformance is an adventure playground and physical education curriculum that transforms people through play.We offer play-based camps, classes, teambuilders, and parties for babies through adults.

Why Play?

When we play, we learn the skills to tackle challenges through creativity, determination, and optimism. We learn to enjoy the work of learning through PLAY.

Play is the language of children. It is through play that we authentically connect and release stress.

History of Playformance

Kevin and Anna Nichols met in 2004 while teaching in a public school in Tucson, Arizona. They were married in 2006 and had their first born daughter, Jolene, in 2007. Jolene was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the whole body but mainly the lungs and digestive system. Kevin became a cross fit kids coach and personal trainer while continuing to be a teacher. He created and ran a successful crossfit kids program with Wildcat Crossfit in 2010 and 2011? Anna and Kevin started a summer camp, La Madera Studio for the Arts, in the summer of 2008? 2009? and ran camps out of their backyard and garage gym between the years of 2008-2011? They welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Cecilia, in April 2012.

One August morning, in 2012, Kevin and Anna woke to the news that their space in Wildcat CrossFit had burned down due to an accidental fire. With the help of their community, they quickly moved to a new space in downtown Tucson. Rebranding as “Playformance” they restarted their business with a deeper focus on play and community. Playformance currently serves hundreds of families and children and has become a Tucson institution.

To see more about what is Playformance
Watch the video »

Play is not a game or activity. It’s a state of mind.
The values of social play are the values of a democracy:

Everyone's opinion counts
We make and enforce the rules to maintain balance between safety and pleasure
We all share in the outcomes of our choices

At Playformance we follow the foundations of Healthy Play created by Charlie Steffens and Spencer Gorin, co-authors of Learning to Play, Playing to Learn, Curriculum and Activities for Classroom and Playground Management.

We use their two main ideas:

We play to have fun and The most important part of playing is the people

We begin every day and every game with these two ideas and constantly refer to them when setting boundaries and redirecting behavior.

Injuries / Illness

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Coaches

What is a Playformance Coach?

A Playformance coach is committed to doing and being their best. They understand the privilege and responsibility that comes with being a role model and coach in a child’s life. A Playformance coach knows that they can have a lasting impact on the children and families they serve.

A Playformance Coach will:

Keep children safe. Always.
Support children’s emotional and physical health.
Help children resolve conflict with respect and non-violence
Model a healthy lifestyle
Dress and act professionally
Be a fun and reliable teammate
Show up and be fully present for the children, their teammates, and the work.

“Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who, understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”

— Rita Pierson

Playformance Coaching Agreement:

I will follow the core values and ethics of Playformance by doing the following:

I will BE PLAYFUL. This means leaving my issues at the door and being present and lighthearted at work. I will engage meaningfully with every child I can and I will be fun to work with.
I will BE BETTER. This means I will strive to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself each day. I will let go of habits that don’t serve me in being better.
I will BE REAL. This means I will be honest and forthright. I won’t talk badly about my co-workers behind their back and won’t gossip. I will tell people respectfully and directly when I have an issue with them and work to solve the problem. If I am unhappy, I will communicate. I am important and my co-coaches and leaders care about me. I will set clear boundaries and communicate with clarity.
I will BE FULL. This means I will give my full heart to my work. I will let the gift of working with kids fill me up.
I will BE INSPIRED. This means I will keep the mission of Playformance in the front of my mind when I am working. I will let my co-workers inspire me with their joy and playfulness and I won’t fall in the trap of complaining.
I will BE SMART. This means I will always be looking for better ways of doing things. I will keep learning, reading, and watching.
I will BE TOGETHER. This means I will constantly be aware that I am a part of a team and that the team’s success is a priority. I will always look for opportunities to encourage and support others and help build them up.
I will BE WOW! This means I will use the values here to impress people and myself. I want people to be inspired by me and my actions. I want kids to talk about the games I showed them over dinner. I want parents to tell their friends about how amazing I was at their kid’s party. I want to WOW. 6 stars!
I will BE FAMILY. This means I will care for and love the people I work for, even when they annoy me, just like a real family. I will work to make the team awesome and I will contribute to easing the burdens of the un-fun work such as cleaning and unglamorous work.
I will BE HUMBLE. This means I will be proud of my work but will always remember to practice humility and ALWAYS encourage others. We are all one.