What are Playshops?
Playshops are structured activities for participants to experience positive, fun-filled, creative and cooperative small group exercises. Each activity provides a component for participants to discover shared feelings, thoughts and life experiences.
When participants realize how many thoughts, feelings, and life experiences they have in common with others, it helps them foster greater rapport, respect, trust, and communication. The connections that were previously dormant now spring to life with a renewed vigor and excitement!
Playshops provide a safe forum to talk, play, laugh, listen, and work together. In this atmosphere, it’s easier for parents, teachers, and students to find things in common with each other. When participants discover that they have so many shared qualities with everyone, they overcome their tendency to stay away from people who they previously only saw “differences.” When concluding a Playshop, participants will receive numerous opportunities to keep the fun-filled and enthusiastic energy going through interactive handouts, door prizes, creative coupons & inviting them to generate their own fun-and-mental “action plan.”
Playshops Increase:Playshops Decrease:
Teamwork Rapport Loneliness Fear
Creativity Fun Apathy Job Turnover
Trust Cooperation Rudeness Absences
Respect Friendships Feeling dis-connected Theft
What do others say about Playshops:
“What a fun way to help any school transform a community! Playshops help us remember how much more alike we are than different!”
Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
“Mr. Ertl is a dynamic facilitator and his energy is contagious! He had us all laughing, acting silly, and learning about each other all at the same time. I highly recommend him to bring Playshops to any group that needs to bond, create a trusting community atmosphere and for any group that wants to have fun!”
Rachel Manning, CapeFearElementary School Principal
“Every school system could benefit from these Playshops!”
Dr. Donald Martin, Jr.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth CountySuperintendent
Playshop References
Bolton Elementary School...... Dr. Mary Norman (336) 774-4626
BryantStrattonCommunity College...... Beth Murphy (804) 745-2444
CapeFearElementary School...... Rachel Manning (910) 602-3767
Clemmons Elementary School...... Debbie Smith (336) 712-4444
Griffith Elementary School...... Debby Hendrix (336) 771-4544
Marvin Ward Elementary School...... MaryAnn Sonntag (336) 774-4676
North Topsail Elementary School...... Pat Nystrom (910) 270-0694
NorwayneMiddle School...... Tammy Munoz (919) 242-3414
Old Town Elementary School...... Tobie Arnold (336) 924-9246
Our Lady of GraceSchool...... Roberta Hutchcraft (336) 275-1522
Parkwood Elementary School...... Dorine Allen (919) 560-3962
Rocky PointElementary School...... Linda Longley (910) 675-2309
Speas Elementary School...... Cynthia Clodfelter (336) 774-4696
Walkertown Elementary School...... Brian Brookshire (336) 595-2311
School System Playshop Trainings
Buncombe County Schools...... Vicky Rogers (828) 255-5918
Gates County Schools...... Susan Ward (919) 465-4091
Pender County Schools...... Miranda Osbourne (910) 602-3767
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools...... Dr. Donald Martin (336) 727-2292
State and National Conferences
American Counselor’s Association...... New Orleans, LA
Jack Canfield’s Facilitating Skills Seminar...... Santa Barbara, CA
North Carolina Counselor’s Association...... CharlotteGreensboro, NC
North Carolina Parent-Teacher Association...... Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina School Counselor’s Association...... Greensboro, Winston-Salem & Raleigh, NC
Virginia School Counselor’s Association ...... Charlottesville, VA
Western Regional Early Childhood Conference...... Asheville, NC
Willow Tree Teen Leadership Conference...... MorrisPlains, NJ
Playshop Programs
60-minute Faculty Playshop for up to 150staff...... $1000
Teachers will learn fun ways to engage students & parents with Open House activities.
Teachers will get to know their colleagues better.
Teachers will learn fun “rainy day recess” activities that help students get along.
Includes all supplies, handouts & 5 “Playshop Facilitator Guides” for door prizes.
90-minute SchoolPlayshop for up to 300parents, teachers and students...... $1400
Participants will have fun making friends and improving their current friendships.
Participants will discover specific life experiences that they share with others.
Includes all supplies, handouts & 5 “Playshop Facilitator Guides” for door prizes.
2-hour “Train the Trainers” session for up to 150 school representatives...... $1500
Principals, school counselors, PTA presidents, assistant principals, and PE teachers will learn how to facilitate Playshops at their schools.
Participants will have fun, while improving the relationships with their colleagues.
Includes all supplies, handouts & 10 “Playshop Facilitator Guides” for door prizes.
3-hour “Train the Trainers” session for up to 300 school representatives...... $2200
Principals, school counselors, PTA presidents, assistant principals, and PE teachers will learn how to facilitate Playshops at their schools.
Participants will have fun, while improving the relationships with their colleagues.
Includes all supplies, handouts & 10 “Playshop Facilitator Guides” for door prizes.
Discount for special (same-day) combinations:
60-min. Faculty Playshop + 90-min. School Playshop...... $2100
3-hour “Train the Trainers” session + 90-min. School Playshop...... $3200