Beth Shea

Beth is the writer and founder of Petite Planet, a blog which focuses on eco-friendly living for families and informs parents of the best “green” choices for their babies and our planet. The birth of her daughter was her inspiration to take baby steps toward changing the world and preserving it for future generations. A former travel and spa writer, Beth swapped airline miles and body wraps for long stroller walks and quick showers. She is living her dream by being a mother and freelance writer. Follow Beth on Twitter @PetitePlanet
Beth Shea

Forest of Woods from Pen Pencil Stencil

by Beth Shea, 02/07/10

eco friendly toys, eco kids, green kids, mark giglio, pen pencil stencil, scrap wood toys, forest of woods

In addition to his vibrant Kokeshi Dolls, artist Mark Giglio of Pen Pencil Stencil creates gorgeous wooden masterpieces in his Forest of Woods collection. Crafted from different types of scrap wood expertly transformed into a miniature forest, these trees are enchanting in their simplicity and inspiring in their sustainable design. We can see them taking root on a child’s windowsill during playtime, or displayed on an adult’s desk as thoughtful decor. To learn when these limited edition Forest of Woods sets are available for purchase, follow Giglio on Twitter, where he posts his latest news and store updates.

+ Pen Pencil Stencil

via Babyology

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Green Valentine Crafts!

by Beth Shea, 02/06/10

felt conversation hearts, diy valentines, valentine garland, eco-friendly valentines, green valentines, green kids, eco kids, recycled valentines, valentine crafts for kids, valentine magnets, cool mom picks valentine contest

Lavender and Limes shows us how to make these felt conversation hearts to send sweet love messages without the sugar!

The Long Thread makes chic Valentine cards out of recycled materials.

Oh So Crafty lives up to her blog’s name by creating a festive and rosy Valentine garland from old magazines!

Fun in the Making turns old Rummikub game pieces into love magnets.

Cool Mom Picks announces the winners of their Color Your Own Valentine’s Card contest. Cards are for sale and downloadable here, and all proceeds benefit the Children’s Heart Foundation.

Ohdeedoh shows us how to sew a lovely fabric envelope and card — a keepsake Valentine that is sure to be cherished for years to come.

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Hessnatur Organic Clothing Starter Kit!

by Beth Shea, 02/03/10

eco baby, eco-friendly baby clothing, green baby, hessnatur, hessnatur baby clothes, organic baby clothes, organic baby clothing, organic cotton baby clothes, organic cotton baby onesies, win organic baby clothing, eco baby starter kit, organic clothing starter kit for baby

Your eco baby can start life as a green fashion maven from the get-go with this beautiful collection of organic cotton clothing from Hessnatur! Filled with comfortable, versatile staple wardrobe pieces, perfect for layering and also adorable as separates, this exclusive Eco Baby Hessnatur Organic Clothing Starter Kit is valued at $125 and includes an Organic Cotton Starter Outfit (complete with a romper suit, jacket and cap), an Organic Cotton Wrap Bodysuit (long-sleeved, kimono style wrap available in an array of serene colors) and a 2-Pack of Organic Cotton Rompers (available in sweet light blue/green or orange/rose color combinations.) The lucky winner will get their choice of size and colors to perfectly fit their happy baby.

Made in Germany with eco-friendly production standards, Hessnatur clothing is crafted with 100% pure organic cotton by people whose human rights are respected. Started in 1976 by green pioneer Heinz Hess, a father determined to outfit his newborn son in organic clothing which he couldn’t find anywhere, Hessnatur was born of Hess’ desire to design pure clothing in harmony with nature. Hessnatur offers a wide collection of responsibly made clothing to outfit the entire family — and one lucky Inhabitots eco baby will be introduced to this gorgeous collection of Hessnatur’s quality green apparel in today’s giveaway!

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Turned Wood Works of Art: Kokeshi Dolls from Pen Pencil Stencil

by Beth Shea, 02/02/10

pen pencil stencil, kokeshi dolls, scrap wood toys, eco-friendly toys, green kids, eco kids, mark giglio

Artist Mark Giglio gives vibrant new life to scrap wood with these turned wood Kokeshi Dolls made in his Pen Pencil Stencil studio in Oakland, California. A delightful intersection between works of art and toys, Kokeshi Dolls would be right at home on the shelf or in the playroom of a green family who appreciates sustainable design. Kokeshi dolls are traditional dolls from northern Japan which have no arms or legs, and only a few simple lines to define their face. Giglio is currently crafting limited editions of his favorite Kokeshi Dolls from the set, turning the scrap wood until it is smooth and then painting it with bold bright colors in geometric patterns. To keep current with the availability of Giglio’s artwork, he suggests following him on Twitter, where he posts his latest news and store updates.

+ Pen Pencil Stencil

via Babyology

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

We’re smitten with the creative DIY masterpieces that designer dad Joel, of Made by Joel whips up for his adorable kids. Above, doll house furniture fashioned with hand printed fabric scrap embellishments, wire for the chair, a swatch of faux fur from a household rug, and a twig …

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Upcycled Plush Owls Deliver Special Valentine Messages

Upcycled Plush Owls Deliver Special Valentine Messages

If you have a Valentine who shares our affection for owls, the adorable parliament of Tiny Wee Hoot Owls from Etsy shop Buttercupbloom make wise, eco-friendly gifts with heart. Each colorful, snuggly plush owl is handmade from a variety of upcycled fabrics from wool sweaters to the faux bois …

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win an Exclusive Collection of Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay Valued at $105!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win an Exclusive Collection of Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay Valued at $105!

Mama K has partnered with Inhabitots to offer an exclusive collection of her amazing Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay worth $105 to one lucky winner! Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay offers endless fun for both kids and parents. The perfect indoor activity during the winter or any season, this kid-safe, 100% natural, gluten free, biodegradable clay is made with gluten free flours, extra virgin olive oil, vegetable colorants — and is infused with subtle aromatherapy organic essential oils to soothe the mind during playtime. Handmade in Seattle, Washington, and packaged in reusable/recyclable containers, Mama K’s play clay is suitable for children with Celiac and Autism Spectrum disorders. See the collection of amazing Mama K’s goodies you could win in this exclusive giveaway after the jump!

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

We’re smitten with these adorable, handmade stuffed animals we spotted on mmmcrafts, created with love by an Etsy artist and mom — and she sells the PDF patterns to create your own!

We love our animal shaped book cases, and Bambino Goodies trumpets the upcoming spring/summer 2010 debut of this bright yellow elephant bookcase on Habitat –  we know there will be …

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! We’re Giving Away TWO 100% Organic Cotton Patemm Changing Pads!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! We’re Giving Away TWO 100% Organic Cotton Patemm Changing Pads!

Green diapers? Check. Reusable baby wipes? Check. Eco-friendly changing pad? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This week, we’re giving away TWO 100% organic cotton Patemm changing pads valued at $55 each. Now, your green diapering routine can come full circle… literally! The mom-invented circular Patemm pad measures 30 inches, and allows parents to place their child in any direction for full coverage. Patemm pads are lined with interior pockets to store  diapers, wipes and a change of clothes — and they conveniently collapse into a compact carrier, with four outside handles designed to allow you to fold and unfold the pad with one hand. Proudly made in San Francisco, CA, eco-friendly Patemm pads are PVC-free and made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton — they are non-coated and machine washable. We are giving away two Patemm pads: 1 in Avocado (green), and 1 in Hibiscus (pink)! Enter to win after the jump!

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Ohdeedoh highlights creative and dedicated mom Laura Frantz, for designing an amazing bunny house world for her kids, complete with grass, a pond and a path, as well as felted rugs and bowls and tiny sewn curtains and pillows. Check out the …

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Gorgeous Set of Eco-Friendly Uncle Goose Alphabet Blocks in a Pull Toy Wagon!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Gorgeous Set of Eco-Friendly Uncle Goose Alphabet Blocks in a Pull Toy Wagon!

Alphabet blocks are beloved childhood toys which help tots learn their ABC’s and develop their motor skills. Gummy Lump Toys is sponsoring our giveaway of a 28 piece set of the best alphabet blocks on the marketeco-friendly Uncle Goose Alphabet blocks valued at $50! These blocks come neatly arranged in a wooden wagon, so kids get two toys in one, and they can tote the educational fun all over the house! Read our rave review of Uncle Goose blocks here on Inhabitots to see why we agree that they were voted one of the ‘best 100 toys.’ Made in the USA, Uncle Goose alphabet blocks are crafted from local basswood sustainably grown around the Great Lakes. Each Uncle Goose Alphabet block features four letters (two of which are embossed), a unique animal picture, and a number or math symbol. Beveled edges, classic styling and the use of non-toxic inks on the letter embossing make these blocks the quintessential addition to your child’s green playroom. Enter to win after the jump!

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Growing up Green rocks our world with these universal attachments designed by Oooms that turn any chair into a rocking chair.

Tales of Treasure shares a top tip: gift wrap your child’s birthday presents in colorful pillowcases and tie them with a fun ribbon. No waste, and sweet dreams…

Famille Summerbelle showcases amazing …

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Announcing the Winners of Inhabitots’ 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards!

Announcing the Winners of Inhabitots’ 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards!

The votes are in! Inhabitots readers have chosen their favorite green toy and green baby product of 2009 and have weighed in on which stories they enjoyed most over the course of last year. A big congratulations is in order for Pogo Upcycled Sweater Animals which have been named the Best Green Toy of 2009 by Inhabitots readers! These sweet critters created from castoff wool sweaters warmed everyone’s hearts! The rest of the winners include a revolutionary green diapering system that’s easy on the earth and easy for parents to use, an amazingly innovative invention which supplies clean water to inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa and an energy efficient tree that lit up all of our imaginations… and now, without further ado, the winners of our 2009 Readers’ Choice polls are listed after the jump!

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win an Inhabitots Exclusive Green Mama & Baby Bath Kit from California Baby!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win an Inhabitots Exclusive Green Mama & Baby Bath Kit from California Baby!

Calling all green mamas and babies who love to be pampered!
We’ve got the perfect giveaway for you! An exclusive Inhabitots Green Mama & Baby Nurturing Kit from California Baby, valued at $117! The kit includes the following products: Calming Shampoo and Bodywash, Calming Hair Conditioner, Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream, Calming Everyday Lotion, Natural Pregnancy Intensive Oil, Supersensitive Lotion for Face and Body, Swimmer’s Defense Hair Conditioner and Swimmer’s Defense Shampoo and Bodywash. California Baby’s all-natural, organic, chemical free and cruelty free products are specially formulated for baby’s delicate skin and they contain NO Sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, or synthetic fragrances. They are a favorite among green parents (including Inhabitots editors!), because of their purity, high-quality ingredients and effectiveness. Find out how to win this amazing nurturing kit after the jump!

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Homemade by Jill offers a cozy car caddy tutorial so little speed racers may easily tote their cars and trucks while on the open road.

Ruffles and Stuff shows us how to transform tiny tights into adorable knee-high socks.

Lil Blue Boo makes itty bitty cork stamps from wine corks, using only a pen …

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EDITORS’ FAVORITE INHABITOTS STORIES OF 2009 – Vote for your Fave!

EDITORS’ FAVORITE INHABITOTS STORIES OF 2009 – Vote for your Fave!

Happy New Year’s Eve Inhabitots readers! As we embark on a new decade, we’re taking a look back at 2009 and the stories we published which were particularly noteworthy to us. Our favorite stories of the year include practical, priceless green parenting advice from tips to getting breastfeeding off to a good start and greening your baby’s nursery with plants — to creative green design which inspired us all — an amazingly designed book-house bed we’d love to curl up in, and the colorful fashioning of LED block lights into an energy efficient tree! As we close the door on a decade, let us know which post from 2009 was your favorite by voting after the jump!

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TOP 5 GREEN BABY PRODUCTS OF 2009 – Vote For Your Fave!

TOP 5 GREEN BABY PRODUCTS OF 2009 – Vote For Your Fave!

During the past year we have witnessed the trend that green baby products are becoming more of a necessity than an alternative. As eco and health conscious parents seek every way possible to preserve both their baby’s precious purity and the earth’s resources, more and more companies are answering this call to action by making sustainably designed products for enthusiastic green families. Here are our top 5 favorite green baby products from 2009. Which one is your favorite? Vote after the jump!

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Recycle Your Christmas Tree!

Recycle Your Christmas Tree!

Christmas may be over, but your Christmas tree may live on in numerous fascinating ways via tree recycling! Keep your tree green long after you remove the lights and ornaments by learning how to recycle it! Many cities now offer curbside pick-ups or drop-off locations for recycling your Christmas tree, and you’d be amazed at some of …

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM INHABITOTS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM INHABITOTS!

The Inhabitots team wishes you a wonderful holiday season, from our families to yours!

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Build a Last Minute Gingerbread House Out of a Recycled Juice Carton!

Build a Last Minute Gingerbread House Out of a Recycled Juice Carton!

Don’t let the holidays get away from you without building this easy and adorable gingerbread house with your kids! While making a gingerbread house from scratch can be difficult and time consuming, this super simple sweet abode was crafted by upcycling a juice carton into a candy dreamland! All you need to do is glue graham cracker ‘walls’ to the outside of an …

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Outdoor Fireplace Retreat is a Magical Winter Haven for Kids & Families

Outdoor Fireplace Retreat is a Magical Winter Haven for Kids & Families

The holiday season just got a little brighter with our discovery of this amazing Outdoor Fireplace designed by Oslo based architects Marit Justine Hagen and Dan Zohar “to combine an enclosed space for fire, storytelling and playing.” Made out of leftover materials from a nearby construction site in Trondheim, Norway, the design of the Outdoor Fireplace is inspired by Norwegian turf huts and old log construction. What a perfect, toasty winter haven for singing carols and roasting chestnuts!

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Festive Finishing Touches for Christmas!

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Festive Finishing Touches for Christmas!

LMNOP features delightful, eco-friendly gift wrap that kids may color in themselves!

Ohdeedoh uncovers magical Christmas Wichtels — house imps who leave surprises and presents around your house at Christmas time!

Maya Made proves how festive and versatile cranberries can be, making simple and elegant wreaths and …

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BOOK REVIEW: Kid Made Modern by Todd Oldham

BOOK REVIEW: Kid Made Modern by Todd Oldham

Designer Todd Oldham’s new book, Kid Made Modern is a kaleidoscopic collection of kid’s crafts and a budding designer’s introduction to the masters of modernism. Kid Made Modern features 192 full-color, eye-popping pages of 52 craft projects that range from simple (Amazing Laces inspired by Jack Lenor Larsen: lacing high top sneakers with unprecedented flair) to more challenging undertakings (Kaleidoscope Movie inspired by Charles and Ray Eames: kids become psychedelic directors of their own animated film). The majority of the inexpensive crafts featured in the book may be brought to life using recycled or readily available household materials — and they are truly engaging, easy to follow, and accompanied by captivating, descriptive, step by step photographs.

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Xylophone Coffee Table by Jellio Design

Xylophone Coffee Table by Jellio Design

Remember those adorable, yummy Jellio LED Gummi Bear Lamps we previously highlighted? The designers behind Manhattan based Jellio have dreamed up yet another uber-cool, kid-friendly home decor piece: a coffee table that doubles as a rainbow colored, working xylophone that is just begging to played by tots and adults alike! Jellio’s Music Table is a much larger version of the …

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a thinkbaby BPA Free Feeding Set!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a thinkbaby BPA Free Feeding Set!

We’re huge fans of thinkbaby — from their BPA free baby bottles and reusable thinksport water bottles to their stainless steel feeding gear! To share our affinity of thinkbaby’s responsibly crafted, eco-friendly wares, we’re giving away a complete thinkbaby feeding set valued at $40 to one lucky reader! Thinkbaby’s safe, non-toxic feeding set features a stainless steel interior with a polypropylene exterior. It is free of BPA, phthalates, lead, melamine and PVC. The convenient set makes feeding babies and toddlers a breeze and it includes the following: bento box with airtight lid, baby bowl with lid, soup bowl with lid, mug, and an easy to grip fork and spoon set. All that’s missing is the yummy meal!

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‘Original Sound Track’ by Ricardo Seola – A Toy Train with a Musical Track!

‘Original Sound Track’ by Ricardo Seola – A Toy Train with a Musical Track!

The ‘Original Sound Track,’ an educational music toy created for children by musician and designer Ricardo Seola, raises the bar for toy trains everywhere — hear that, ‘Little Engine that Could?’ “In Original Sound Track, a train plays the role of a musician who actually plays the rail.” The track features small bumps, in the same vein as old-fashioned, wind-up music boxes, and the train moves along the track plucking the metal keys to play a song! Genius! See the Original Sound Track in action after the jump!

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GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco Gifts for Girls

GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco Gifts for Girls

Enough with the raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens…  our green gift guide for girls offers fresh ideas that are sure to become a girl’s new ‘favorite things!’ From chic custom rag dolls, and an awesome eco-chalet dollhouse, to self-contained eco-systems thriving in …

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Holiday Edition

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Holiday Edition

Design*Sponge spreads cheer by highlighting a Wise Craft tutorial on how to make adorable holiday outfit ornaments kids are sure to love!

Ohdeedoh shares 15 holiday crafts you don’t want to miss! From recycled magazine trees to a Hanukkah village made out of raisin boxes — these crafts will provide plenty of merriment.

Handmade Charlotte features a beautiful, …

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Modern Gingerbread House is a Sweet LA Pad

Modern Gingerbread House is a Sweet LA Pad

Gingerbread houses are what kid’s dreams are made of — sweet wonderlands where the imagination turns food into floors of decadent brain candy. Architect and LEED AP Kristina Hahn Atelier designed the Cake Study House 09 to join in the festive tradition of building miniature abodes out of yummy treats. Located in Los Angeles (in the same way Santa Claus is located in the North Pole), this ‘Sickly Sweet Dream House’ is a “study in responsible development — and the use of building materials without artificial food coloring are a nod to “eco-gingerbread chic.”

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possibiliTrees: Modern, Eco-Friendly Alternative Christmas Trees

possibiliTrees: Modern, Eco-Friendly Alternative Christmas Trees

Green families facing the real tree vs. artificial tree conundrum may expand their holiday decor possibilities with an eco-friendly possibiliTree. Architect Richard Babcock designed this natural, mess and waste free alternative to real Christmas trees when he “tired of finding, hauling, displaying, watering and disposing of the bulky, needle-dropping, space-guzzling evergreen every Christmas…” We think the modern possibiliTree is the perfect solution for green families who want a tree, but may not be home to care for it throughout the entire season — or for families with young kids who need to childproof their holiday decor scheme.

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WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Set of 12 Jibibuts Wooden Figures!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Set of 12 Jibibuts Wooden Figures!

Jibibuts are a brand new cast of colorful wooden figures on the green toy scene, and we’re giving away a set of 12 Jibibuts valued at $108 to one lucky winner! These beautifully crafted, perfectly playful characters have made their debut just in time to fill one lucky tot’s stocking to the brim with new friends! Designed by Noferin, the artistic duo behind Pecanpals collectibles, Jibibuts were created for playtime, as opposed to being appreciated from afar as objets d’art. They are made from sustainably harvested rubber wood, and they measure 2.5-3.5 inches. Jibibuts may be stacked and stuck together to form sculptural shapes, enjoyed as new inhabitants in dollhouses, or simply toted to and fro in a pocket, joining all of your tot’s adventures!

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GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco Gifts for Boys

GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco Gifts for Boys

As the saying goes, boys love their toys, and we’ve compiled a list of green gifts for boys that is jam-packed with fun, and bursting with action and adventure! Whether little guys want to speed off on a shiny new eco-friendly scooter, dash about with a candy red Bamboo E-racer race car, swing …

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GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco-Gifts for Tots

GREEN GIFT GUIDE: Eco-Gifts for Tots

The holidays are just around the corner, and we have compiled the ultimate green gift guide to help you find the perfect, eco-friendly gifts for all of the eco tots on your ‘nice’ list! …

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Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week

Three Potato Four sings the praises of sweet music boxes handcrafted from classic vintage cheese crates.

Little Miss Heirlooms offers a decoupage frame tutorial using vintage book illustrations — a perfect DIY holiday gift!

Petite Planet shows us how to craft a ‘gingerbread’ house out of an empty milk carton and graham crackers!

Growing a Green …

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Camp Twin Lakes Treehouse is a Green Utopia for Special Needs Kids

Camp Twin Lakes Treehouse is a Green Utopia for Special Needs Kids

Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia, a non-profit organization which opened in 1993, “provides places and paths for children with serious illnesses and life challenges to experience the joys of childhood and grow in their confidence and capabilities.” A new, eco-friendly, majestic treehouse, designed by Amy Leathers of Lord, Aeck & Sargent was just added to the ‘Wild Side’ — a secluded part of the camp’s site. Here, immersed in rustic nature, camp goers may revel in twisty slides, climbing nets, a zip line and trap doors throughout the wheelchair accessible treehouse — while also learning about green living via the sustainably designed features inherent in the treehouse and in its Utopian woodsy backdrop.

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LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!