Start with a simple clubhouse idea; this one might scare the grownups!
As
soon as you utter the word “clubhouse”, parents and other People in Control
will likely imagine a big mess to clean up. So here is where you’ll need to think like a
diplomat and probably a lawyer to argue your case.
Be careful not to choose a site too
close to your neighbor’s house or on their land. If there is no fence, ask
where the boundary might be. Also don’t use a neighbor’s or your own fence as
one of your walls! Furthermore, don’t build in front of someone’s picture
window or otherwise block their view. You will get complaints. By all means promise to keep the area clean
except where you are actually building your clubhouse, and then keep the
promise!
Invite your parents or other People in Control to help find a good site for your clubhouse. If possible, have a second building site in mind so the People in Control have a choice. If that doesn’t work, impress them with your knowledge of developmental psychology: In recent years children have been increasingly deprived of the outdoors and nature. Child-development specialists such as Richard Louv have directly linked the absence of nature to the recent rise in obesity, attention disorders and depression among children. Show them Richard Louv’s website, http://richardlouv.com/last-child-movement, and then tell them, “You don’t want me to get fat, stupid or depressed do you?”
Another good argument is this: “I’ll be engaged in something creative, I’ll be learning a lot of practical skills, and you will know where I am!” Then show them the plans you drew so they will know more about your project, and that you are serious about doing it “right”. Tell them you’ll follow the safety tips listed in Chapter 2 and remind them you’ll keep the place as clean and neat as you can. Until they convince you it is impossible to build a clubhouse (you live in a high-rise apartment, for example), then keep trying!
If you live in a community or
subdivision that is heavily laden with what they call owners agreements, covenants
or deed restrictions, check the rules to see if you can build in your yard. In
recent years, some towns and homeowners’ associations have ordered clubhouses
removed because they are deemed unsafe, a fire hazard, unsightly, or all three.
Many communities don’t want to be “exposed to risk” from lawsuits or insurance
claims. This unfortunate trend is part of the reason kids are no longer allowed
to get outside, get dirty and build clubhouses!
So go along with this system if you can. Show them your plan, tell them you are the builder, and see what happens. If necessary, argue your case with the points listed above. If you have to, fight back by getting your parents or sympathetic neighbors to help you regain your outdoor freedom. The Children and Nature Network: http://childrenandnature.ning.com is a worldwide support group that advocates this very thing!
One idea, though it is a bit risky: get your grownup supporters to let you build a “protest clubhouse” and when Those in Power demand its removal, offer to sign a “no fault” letter that promises you won’t sue them or make a claim against their liability insurance. If that doesn’t work call in the local news media to make your point. This is
