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Tell us about yourself! What’s your story? How did you become "outdoorsy"?

My name is Marial Leisge, and finding my purpose has been an adventure of its own—a lifelong journey full of questions like, "What’s my calling?" and "Do I have meaningful work to offer this world?" For a long time, I doubted I had any special gift to contribute—until I became a mother. In October 2023, I launched a nonprofit organization called Ocean State Kids, with a mission to empower parents to become their child’s most influential teacher. Through outdoor education and nature play, we craft early childhood experiences tailored to each child’s unique developmental journey. I became “outdoorsy” because I believe that "parenting in the wild" helps me show up as the best version of myself—not just as a person, but as a mother to my son. Sure, we all know that nature is incredible for our kids, sparking curiosity and resilience. But what about us, the parents? For me, nature has been a sanctuary for growth—building confidence, cultivating patience, and finding moments of pure zen. It’s like the outdoors reintroduced me to myself. I write more about this in the blog entries I pulled for you.

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Do you have kids? If yes, how many and what are their ages? Tell us about them!

Motherhood was something I never imagined for myself. I struggled with substance abuse during my early adult years, which left me feeling insecure about the idea of being responsible for another person. But life had other plans. My son, Otto, was born in December 2021—an unexpected pregnancy with the most incredible man (now my husband, Tim). I vividly remember our “Do you want kids?” conversation, where we both confidently said, “No way.” We laugh about that now because Otto has brought us nothing but joy and purpose. Otto is now 3 years old, and he’s been our constant companion on this wild adventure called parenthood. He’s unique, sensitive, reserved, and full of surprises. I started Ocean State Kids with him in mind, building a community of families who share the same passion for outdoor education. Watching him grow within this circle of connection has been one of my greatest joys. In November 2024, as we approached the end of our first full year with Ocean State Kids, we began to notice that Otto was navigating some developmental challenges. While this wasn’t necessarily a negative realization, it marked the beginning of a new journey for our family. Otto is a Gestalt Language Processor (GLP), which means he has a unique way of learning language. As I learned more about his needs, I realized that our current Ocean State Kids environment wasn’t the best fit for him. The routine that worked for others had become a source of stress and disregulation for him, so I made the difficult decision to step away from leadership to focus on supporting his confidence and growth. While stepping back brought me sadness—because Ocean State Kids had become my cherished space for friendship and community—it was the right choice for Otto and our family. I still manage the day-to-day operations of the program, and we periodically attend, but leaving leadership has given us the freedom to adapt our schedule to Otto’s needs. It’s also opened the door for us to explore other outdoor activities that better align with his highly sensory-seeking nature. Otto continues to inspire me every day, shaping not only my parenting but also my passion for creating outdoor opportunities for families.

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What are your favorite outdoor activities to do with kids? What are their favorite activities? What do you still want to try? 

This question seems to be coming at the right time. For the first year of my son’s outdoor education, we focused entirely on my favorite activities—crafting with nature. We mixed found materials like leaves, flowers, and rocks with different art mediums, creating a magical atmosphere where creativity and nature intertwined. Peaceful, delicate, and inspiring, it was the perfect setup for what I envisioned: Mother Earth’s children shaping the next generation of artists. But I quickly realized that this wasn’t the perfect fit for my son. While beautiful and meaningful to me, this approach lacked the energy and spontaneity of true “child-led” play—the kind of play where his personality could truly shine. Now, I’m gearing up for something new with Ocean State Kids: the Summer of Sensory in 2025. This summer program will be packed with weekly, highly sensory activities designed to engage kids in exciting, hands-on ways—all while keeping it fun and playful. Activities include rock climbing, life-size bowling, zipping around on anything with wheels, jumping to their hearts’ content, swinging on tree swings, exploring rock tunnels, marveling at lights at night, star gazing, and even flying kites or playing with parachutes. These activities aren’t just about fun—they’re about tapping into children’s innate desire to explore, move, and engage with the world around them in ways that truly light them up. I can’t wait to introduce Otto to these experiences and see how his dynamic changes when he’s fully immersed in a sensory-rich outdoor environment. Watching him thrive in a setting tailored to his needs is the ultimate reward for this next chapter in our journey. Below I have included journal entries to my favorite creative crafts and also an amazon link to all the outdoor sensory toys & games I want to introduce this summer. There are alot, eeek.

Nature Art Activities

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Why are you passionate about getting kids outdoors?

Do I really have to say it out loud? Our current school system is deeply flawed. While I’d never use harsher language in a public-facing publication, if I’m speaking to real individuals who understand the true state of our society, I hope this resonates. It’s something I feel so strongly about that I’m willing to risk saying it here: our children deserve better. The average American child spends 5–8 hours in front of a screen daily. During school hours, they might get 30 minutes outside during an 8-hour day—barely enough time to stretch their legs, let alone connect with the natural world. If children aren’t spending time outside in unstructured play, they lose the chance to learn how to navigate the beautiful chaos of life as they grow. I am passionate about getting kids outdoors because I believe in protecting childhood at all costs—offering spaces where their needs are met without rules, assessments, or societal pressures weighing them down. That belief is why I started Ocean State Kids. I wholeheartedly believe children learn best when given the freedom to follow their interests in a supportive, nurturing environment. By cultivating creativity and curiosity in the outdoors, we’re not just teaching kids about nature—we’re helping them develop into resilient, imaginative, and empathetic individuals. It’s about more than just play; it’s about raising all-around awesome humans.

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How did you discover Run Wild My Child, and why does our mission resonate with you?

I discovered Run Wild My Child during my first year developing Ocean State Kids. As I sought out leaders in the outdoor education and nature-based community for children, your organization stood out as one I quickly admired and followed. It wasn’t just your mission that resonated deeply with me, but also the care, creativity, and attention to detail evident in everything you do. With over a decade of experience in marketing and photography, I can truly appreciate the time, effort, and thought that went into building such a meaningful and visually engaging brand. Your ability to connect families with the outdoors in such an inspiring way is something I’ve aimed to emulate within my own organization. Additionally, I’ve listed our school with the Outdoor School Shop, which created another meaningful connection between our missions.

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Do you have any previous writing or blogging experience? If yes, please share details or provide links to your work.

Yes, I personally write blog content for Ocean State Kids and our network of families. I have included a collection of personal journal entries below.

Personal Journal Entries

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Have you ever worked with a brand or created sponsored content? If yes, please describe your experience.

Yes, last summer our programs were sponsored by various snack brands across the region. We created a special webpage for those brands called, “Brands We Trust”.. We hosted the brand information there, but additionally created content exclusively for them. You can find the brands and content created here, www.oceanstatekids.com/brands

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What topics are you most interested in writing about for RWMC? Any certain places, activities, adventures, areas, etc.?

As I move into 2025, I’m excited to explore and write about several topics that reflect my current journey. First on the list is sensory-seeking outdoor experiences, as this will be a major focus for my family in the coming year. I’ll have plenty of real-life content to share, including tips, challenges, and joyful discoveries along the way. Next, I’m passionate about highlighting the influence and benefits of outdoor activities, learning, and education—not just for children but for parents too. Too often, parents are overlooked in the conversation, but I believe their growth and transformation are just as important as their kids’. Finally, as a creative person, I love sharing hands-on nature art projects that allow kids (and parents!) to connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way. One of my favorite projects so far is called Don’t Stump Your Feelings, found in at creative art activities I shared prior.

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What unique perspectives or skills do you bring to the Creative Team?  Brag on yourself!

Some unique perspectives or skills I bring to the creative team are over 10 years of marketing strategy, web design, brand design, graphic design, and photography. I am also proficient in Google Drive organization, Google Sheet Spreadsheets, automation, AI technology, writing, and more. photography. Most of the photography featured in this application are images I have shot.

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Are you comfortable committing to creating four pieces of content per year (one per season)?

Yes. I am also comfortable offering any other additional help.

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Are you willing to promote RWMC content and initiatives on your social media or personal platforms?

Yes, it would be an honor to position myself alongside a leader in the outdoor community.

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Do you currently subscribe to our magazine??

Yes!

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How much time can you realistically dedicate to being a Creative Team member?

Absolutely! I recently left my role as Marketing Director for three different companies to focus on pursuing work that aligns with my passions. Joining the Creative Team would not only be a perfect fit for my skills and interests but also a wonderful opportunity to include my son in the fun. I have the time, energy, and enthusiasm to dedicate to this role, and I’m excited to contribute in meaningful ways.

That's the 'Fuselage'!

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Share a funny, favorite, or unexpected outdoor adventure moment you’ve had with kids!

My son Otto, as a Gestalt Language Processor, has this fascinating quality where he views all his toys as one single, cohesive toy. For him, his obsession with airplanes and helicopters means he needs all 20 flight vehicles in his possession at any given moment. In his mind, they’re not individual items—they’re parts of one grand, unified toy. If even one is missing, he knows instantly. And if I dare to touch one? Let’s just say it’s like I’ve hijacked the entire toy. The obsession is real. Otto spends one day a week with his grandmother—bless her heart—and one afternoon, she took him to our local airport. They spent hours at the chain-link fence, watching planes take off and land, completely mesmerized. Inspired by their adventure, I decided to call the airport to see if they’d allow us to take a closer look. To my surprise, the owners were thrilled to invite us for a tour. We arrived during the airport’s “lunch break,” and Otto was out-of-his-mind excited, especially when he spotted their giant red tour helicopter. Let me preface this by saying Otto didn’t have much language at the time—he’d always been very quiet. But the moment he approached that red helicopter, it was like a floodgate opened. Words spilled out of him: “Fuselage,” “Tail Rotor,” “Main Rotor,” “Landing Skids,” “Yoke,” “Cockpit,” “Horizontal Stabilizer.” Words I didn’t even know he knew! My head practically popped off my shoulders in shock and awe. The overwhelm of joy and pride hit me so hard, I couldn’t hold back the tears. It was one of those moments when the magic of parenting and the power of connection through outdoor experiences became so beautifully clear.

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Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you or why you’re excited to apply?

I created a Trail Map and Wildlife Field Guide for children called Wander & Wonder, designed to introduce literacy to young learners in a fun and engaging way. Partnering with the Norman Bird Sanctuary, I used their beautiful sanctuary as the perfect backdrop for this educational adventure. The trail map encourages families to explore together while including literacy-focused questions to spark meaningful connections along the way. The Wander & Wonder Wildlife Field Guide dives deeper, featuring trees, plants, wildflowers, animals, and insects commonly found across Rhode Island and the New England region. It also incorporates imaginative questions parents can ask their children to ignite curiosity, embrace storytelling, and transform learning into an unforgettable outdoor adventure. This project embodies everything I’m passionate about—combining education, nature, and family connection—and it’s a glimpse into the kind of creative contributions I’m excited to bring to this team.

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