As someone who works in experiential education and adventure learning, the line between work and play is often blurred. There are things I do for work that are play based, and often my leisure time recreation resembles things I do at work. This can make it difficult to feel like time off activities have that regenerative power. Then it snowed. Thanks to a powder day, a punk rock song, and a thoughtful 11 year old, I reflected on this last week.
We woke up to 5″ of fresh snow and decided to head to the mountain. My son wanted to come along and even though “there are no friends on powder days,” family overrides that saying. So off we went the regular punk mix playing on Spotify. As we pulled in, Cool Kids by Screeching Weasel was playing and he asked if I was in any cool clubs that other people were not a part of; a lyric right out of the song. I told him I try not to exclude people from things that I find fun and he quickly asked why there were no friends on powder days then.
Hmmm. Maybe there are clubs “you’re not a part of.”
As we spent the day enjoying blue bird skies and great conditions, we talked about the subtle difference between me riding with him and him skiing with me; me adjusting to his wants or him pushing to be with me. We talked about how physical activity can be restful, how the people you are with are important, and it’s more than the sport, it’s the state of mind for the day.
When we finished, I told him he was in the cool club and could join me on any powder day. He asked who else was in the club and was surprised by how short the list was, This led me to reflect on the two activities that rarely cross the line of work and play. As a general rule I do not snowboard as part of work and there is a great difference between a work bike ride and a play bike ride. My bike rides are largely solitary and almost meditative forms of recreation. And while snowboarding often includes a group of people, it is the state of mind that matters. All other outdoor recreation fits both parts of life.
So no matter what you do for work or play, keep in mind recreation is important and that it is not always the what that matters, but the who can be a huge part of recovery.
Not get out and play! Share the enjoyment with your cool club, but don’t be exclusive!
Sirius Fun 
Leave a comment