KaBOOM! - it starts with a playground

I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan and I've been living in Washington D.C. for about 3 years now.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a house with a huge backyard and on a block with a large field, creatively named "The Field." Despite having some great indoor toys (comic books, video games, action figures, board games, etc.) I loved the games my friends and I would create and play in The Field. When I wasn't playing hide and seek, I was climbing trees, falling out of trees, playing flag football, dodgeball, bike polo, or making obstacle courses with garbage cans, milk crates, and swing sets. My favorite variation of tag is one our neighborhood created called "Deadly Discs," which was basically dodgeball with frisbees.

I have a degree in Political Science from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. During my time in college, I developed a passion for using computers and communicating on the Internet, and I decided to focus that passion into the non-profit community. I moved to Washington, D.C. in 2006 and served as an Online Communications Assistant for Defenders of Wildlife. In June 2007, I joined KaBOOM! as the Online Community Coordinator.

While I'm a big fan of technology and all the different ways it can entertain us, I think it's very important for kids, all people really, to get outside into the world and play. Meet the neighbors. Get dirt on your knees. Get sand in your shoes.

As the Online Community Coordinator for KaBOOM!, my job is to help the 20,000 (and growing) members of the KaBOOM! community use the website, meet other people, participate in conversations, advocate for play, and build new places to play. Email me anytime at jcooper@kaboom.org or give me a call at 202.464.6189.

How many playspaces have you helped build?
I've helped lots of people use the web to complete their project, but I've (ashamedly) only volunteered on one build day so far.

What skills can you contribute to a playspace build or campaign for play?
Construction, Web or Graphic Design