CDC, International Mud Day

Akoni Suafoa (right) and Riley Miranda stand in a mud pit created just for International Mud Day at the Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Child Development Center playground. The day was first started in Nepal when staff members organized a day just so orphans kept indoors most of the time would be allowed to experience nature and learn about their environment by playing in the mud. (Courtesy photo by Mary Lou Gorny)

CDC, International Mud Day

Daniel Nichiporuk holds his son Skylar as Bishop Ketron reaches into a water sensory table for a floating toy. Each class at the Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Child Develpment Center planned activities appropriate for their kids' age level and then supervised them closely. (Courtesy photo by Mary Lou Gorny)

Sploosh! Splat! Spluck! CDC participates in International Mud Day

Published July 3, 2013
By Mary Lou Gorny
Hilltop Times Editor

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Kids and mud. The words seem to go together.

At the Child Development Centers East and West, teachers intentionally brought the two together on Friday.

Children made mud pies, waded, tip toed or pranced in mud pits. They played in sprinklers and put their hands in the gooey muck. Even the smallest of tots played with beach balls and other toys and put their hands in water sensory tables.

Some seemed hesitant at first, but most jumped in once they were encouraged to do so.

A mud splatter here, a waterhose splatter there. Most didn't seem to mind on June 28 as temperature gauges were poised to go upward that morning on one of the first triple digit days in Northern Utah.

"Mud Day is an international event that is celebrated all over the world," said Jenny Dumpert, assistant director at CDC East. "It began in Nepal and initially targeted a small group of 58 orphaned children to acquaint the children with nature and their environment. It is now celebrated all over the world."

Parents were advised to bring their children to school in clothes they could get dirty in, and with a change of clothes. One volunteer mom reported her child had to be convinced it was alright to get his clothes dirty as it was one of his old but favorite swimsuits. "You have three swimsuits," the volunteer reported telling her son. "It's OK to wear this one and get it dirty."

Least you think it was just the kids, right in there in the mix were teachers, too. Some even brandished a water hose to squirt a child or two. Of course they washed them off when they were done, too. They also came prepared with tissues, cups of water and a hug or two, when the littlest ones needed reassuring.

After all, it isn't every day you get to play in the mud.