Lotte Klein, 47, Outdoor Play Boss
Lotte Klein (47) calls herself an Outdoor Play Boss, and her belief is as simple as it is convincing: "Nature gives calm, fun, a clear head and space."
For many young people, it takes a little while before they start to let go. Some won't admit it at first, but Lotte sees the same thing happen every time: they start having fun, relax and become more engaged with what's around them. With adults, that shift usually happens a little faster.
She often starts her sessions with simple games like circle games and tag, which quickly bring out laughter, excitement and a sense of connection between the participants. Climbing a tree can give young people a real sense of pride when they manage to get to the top, but Lotte notices that even those watching from the ground get caught up in the excitement. "They often realise that for themselves, and then they get into it too. They feel involved, even if they're not the ones climbing."
Another exercise is even simpler: find a spot in nature that you like, stay there for a while and afterwards explain what made it feel good. It encourages people to notice what is around them, but also to experience what it's like to do nothing for a moment.
For Lotte, the space and fresh air are what make being outdoors so different. You can move more freely, make more noise and simply take up space without worrying about disturbing anyone. As your surroundings become less restrictive, she finds that your head often feels less crowded too. That creates more room to deal with other stimuli.
And that matters, especially now. Young people spend a lot of time sitting behind screens, Lotte says, often without realising how much it affects the way they feel. "You just need to help them experience the difference that being outdoors, connecting and having fun with other people can make," she explains. The hope is that, over time, they start making that choice for themselves. When they feel bad, they know they can go outside. Or perhaps they simply come to see that going outdoors and moving is almost always a good idea.
Playing games is only one part of what Lotte does. She also enjoys making things together from whatever nature has to offer, whether that means building a hut or creating a mandala from leaves, sticks and other natural materials. And sometimes she asks participants to close their eyes and play games that sharpen their other senses. The activities are simple, but that is precisely the point. They give people permission to play, move, notice and enjoy being outside.
More from Lotte
Want to play outside with Lotte, or bring her to your group? Visit Alles Kan Buiten or connect with Lotte on LinkedIn. Together with Teun van der Klis she also made a book about outdoor play. Find it here.
This conversation is part of OUTnature, an Erasmus+ project by Out of Office Foundation and Kamaleonte (Italy) about the power of nature in youth work. We talk with outdoor professionals and youth workers in the Netherlands and Italy, and turn their stories into a free handbook that helps youth workers bring young people outside, and make it count. Read all stories
