Bethe Almeras is The Grass Stain Guru
So, who is The Grass Stain Guru?! In a nutshell: If I haven’t laughed to the verge of incontinence, then it hasn’t been a good day. I believe in singing in the car, being kind to waitstaff, furry things, and that no amount of stuff will ever make you happy.
I also believe that childhood was meant to be messy. Muddy. Slimy. Silly. And most of all, joyful. Steeped in awe and wonder, childhood should be spent outdoors as much as possible, and should rely on imagination and whimsy as much as it does on rules and regulations.
I have been connecting people with nature and a purveyor of play and wonder for 20 years. From camp counselor, to recreation therapist, to educator, writer, and blogger. I have seen the power of play, love, and laughter flourish in gardens, backyard forts, and hiking trails like it is possible nowhere else. I firmly believe that nature is the best therapist and teacher any of us will ever have, and that the magic of childhood should be rooted there, and the peace of adulthood is waiting there. It’s not only in nature, but the connections we make with ourselves, and each other, when we slow down long enough to notice the beauty around us and simply play.
Bethe Almeras, The Grass Stain Guru, is an award-winning author, web producer, and eLearning designer. Bethe is the Center Director for Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play. Co-founder of the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour®, she has been connecting people with play and nature for many years. A gifted speaker and trainer, Bethe also specializes in inclusive education and accessibility issues for individuals with disabilities. Bethe also blogs at The Body Smart Blog.
More of The Grass Stain Guru on the web:
Read an interview with Bethe at A Little Greener Every Day.
Read Four Questions With Bethe Almeras on The Examiner.
Read Bethe’s take on Being a Kid at Heart on Perpetual Kid.
Read about Bethe (@balmeras) on Mashable.
Read about an early camping adventure of The Grass Stain Guru.
 |
Wonderful to see all you have accomplished! Lots of interesting things I did not know about you, and now I know why we connected….
Thanks good luck and love,
David
Wonderful accomplishments ~ thanks for your note leading to your site ~ def. great to reflect on childhood ~ best of wishes to you & thank you for letting me know about your site!
Sus @pinkolivefamily
Somehow, I got led here via Twitter! I’m going to recommend your site to some pals in education. Best! Deborah
Welcome, Deborah! Glad you found me. And thanks to all for these lovely & thoughtful comments. I am just tickled…green!
Cheers- Bethe
Bethe, I LOVE THIS!! I am nodding sooo much. My full name Tresha was always hard for folks to pronounce…so I ended up w/ the nickname Tre…(pronounced tree) and it was rather fitting b/c I was always climbing them….and loving the climb….
I adore the look/feel/joy/wonder I feel when I read your blog. How much fun..what a great simple layout. Well done.
I’ve had a blog for a bout 8 months and love it..but yearn for something a bit more playful and lighter too….kinda a blog for each one of our sides..and plus…investing in our childlikeness is to me one of the most important investments we can ever make.
Hugs for your playfulness and reminder to L I V E the joy and wonder and childlikeness of our hearts
Tre ~
Tre(e)!
Thank you so much for you kind words and enthusiasm for the blog! The state of childhood, as well as the state of we grown-ups, is something I care deeply about, both professionally and personally. I’m really excited to share ideas and perspectives with folks, and hear stories from others. I hope you continue to come and share. There is so much joy and good to be found outside, we just need to remind ourselves to go take a look.
Cheers- Bethe
I agree, childhood should be, “messy. Muddy. Slimy. Silly. And most of all, joyful. ” I mean, really who wants to be like us adults!
) Kids are the best…at least I think lil boo is the best! Yes, that is a bias statement would you expect anything else?
~daddy bookins
I have a feeling this will become one of my favorite blogs.
Sue: I believe that might be one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me!! Thanks- Bethe
Hey There Bethe
Saw your note about the NCLI Act and recognized your picture as the Grass Stain Guru. Great to hear about your work. The School Garden work in DC schools lasted a few more years but the buracracts took it over. Keep on writing and sharing your wisdom for all. My best. Abby
Bethe, you are so cool! I can’t wait to meet you!….I love being kind to waitstaff too. Who would have thought we’d have that in common too?
I love your writing style and I’m so glad you started this. I smile when I read your site. Thank you!
Hello Bethe,
I enjoy and share your philosophy about letting our children be… well…children. It makes it easier when you are also a child at heart.
Since we are still in snow and mud season here in Aspen, my husband often comes home to find me and the three boys up to our ears in mud.
He patiently, at times, hoses us all down in the garage. Luckily I had the foresight to have a warm water bib connected to the hose.
Thanks for your post. Best, Jillian
This is such a lovely blog……….. messy and slimey and all that jazz! It brings back so many childhood memories for me! Not that school was about play… but that I learnt more with my vivid and creative imagination ,playing often alone in the most unusual of places (stories for another day I think). My play was where I learnt the lessons of life. No pieces of paper or tests ever replaced that!
It took me a while – some would say too long…I’m just sayin’ – but I finally made it over here. I made a left turn where I should have made a right and ended up at The Grass Stain Grrr….I didn’t think your site had Outdoor Hip-Hop and Environmental Spoken Word but really, who knows.
Have I ever discussed the significance Shakespeare placed on adding an additional “e” on the ends of words? Wait…………..you say I have? Well…………..have I discussed his obsession with the name “Beth?” Oh I’ll discuss it with you…..soone Bethe, very soone.
Your accomplishments are significant and most impressive. The mission you appear to be on in life is something to hold up for others to take note of and applaud. It all really makes me wonder: Is Wendy at My Green Side, Inc. cutting you monthly checks to follow me on Twitter? (pssst: can you tell me how much – she won’t let me see the checkbook).
If you’re Home Skillet, I’m a mushroom.
Your site is terrific. Well-written, packed with great information and well-written. Did I mention I like good writers?
Keep up the terrific work…I’ve read more than you know…and no doubt, you’ll sleep easier with this knowledge.
I think we are on the same page philosophically!
Came to you via Jennifer Thermes a blogging pal for over a year now.
I am a writer, blogger, all around idler, observer and retired creative writing teacher.
All best wishes
Elizabeth — thanks for the kind words. So glad you found me! Look forward to reading your stuff! Cheers- Bethe
Hi Bethe
Stumbled upon your blog today thanks to Twitter and I think we have a lot in common, in terms of our approach to childhood. I am an Early Childhood Teacher of many years and a Mum of only 18 months and I write about anything and everything to do with growing happy kid and memorable childhoods.
Please visit me at Childhood 101, http://childhood101.blogspot.com/
Christie
Thanks, Christie! Excited to get to know your site. Cheers- Bethe
Hi Bethe,
I’m a fan of your blog and one of your Twitter followers!
I’m a children’s author and mom-to-be (due in December).
I have a new children’s book launching this week – on Wednesday, Aug. 25. It’s called Elffolk and the Crystal Caves of Atlantis and it’s a positive, empowering fantasy-adventure novel for kids ages 7-9 about elves that live in Atlantis. The website is http://www.elffolk.com.
I was wondering whether you would kindly help me promote my book when it launches on August 25? I could send you some copy, if that’s easiest. I would be so grateful for your support!
I can send you my e-book before it launches.
Thank you, and all the best to you!
Tina
Hi Bethe,
I really like your blog. I could not find your email, so I apologize for contacting you in this way.
I also run an outdoor and nature site at HikingSanFrancisco.com and if it is ok, I’d like to suggest a blogroll mention exchange? Also, do you take guest blog posts? I’d love to write something great about a San Francisco hike.
Sincerely,
Alex Genadinik
genadinik@hotmail.com
I apologize for jumping in here, too, along with Alex. Couldn’t find an email, but am interested in contacting you about hosting a blog book tour stop for the latest LPP kidlit release: Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by Dr. JoAnn Deak. The blog book tour starts 1/10/11 and runs for up to two weeks on consecutive days. Please email me if you’d like to see a pdf of the book, and then if it resonates, I can send a hard copy for review at your site. Thank you! dani@littlepicklepress.com
Hi Bethe,
I just subscribed to your blog and am looking forward to reading more. We love nature play!
http://livingandlearningnow.blogspot.com/2010/12/nature-connections-2010.html
Love your site Bethe! If you’d be interested in hosting a guest post from yours truly, please email me and I’d be happy to share with you some writing samples.
Hello Bethe — I found your blog through Free Range Kids. I’m a Waldorf parent and board member of the Children & Nature Network in Saratoga Springs, NY. I recently launched a blog about fostering courage in our kids through the power of narrative and storytelling, and we talk a lot about allowing kids the freedom to be outside and exploring. I invite you to come check us out. I’m putting Grass Stain Guru on our blog roll.
Cheers,
Jennifer