Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudine Mossberg.
Hi Claudine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a mom of three kiddos and a wife, and I love the outdoors! When I was a child, I loved to be outdoors. I would go to the beach, explore the woods near my house, play team sports, or enjoy playing in my yard. In my early adult years, though, busy with college life and figuring out my career, I lost sight of this joy of the outdoors. When my first child was born, I was once again drawn to the outdoors, taking us out for walks in the parks and exploring together. When we joined an outdoor nature class in the park, my daughter interacted with the teachers in a way I never saw with our other classes. This was when I started to realize the energy the outdoors can bring. The memories of my childhood joy outdoors came rushing back! I knew I had found where we needed to be.
My journey to creating Outdoor Play Connection began when our family moved out of New York City to New Jersey. I was very nervous about meeting people and finding a community. We continued to enjoy the outdoors and explored the many green spaces near our new home. When I posted online to see if anyone wanted to join us outdoors, I couldn’t believe what happened: 30 families showed up to meet us and play in a big open field. The children ran through puddles and climbed trees while the parents connected and talked about wanting to get outdoors more.
This group continued to meet every week. I developed many of my closest friendships from those who joined us over the years. Word spread about our group, and people started contacting me to start a group for them. This was when I realized I could help other moms create their groups and have the magical experience of an outdoor play community! This experience showed me that so many people want to be outdoors but may not know how to get there. My passion is to connect people to the resources they need to enjoy the outdoors and help build outdoor communities. I enjoy bringing my skills, experience, and knowledge to others and helping moms recharge using the power of nature or helping them connect with others to experience community support.
Over the past 8 years, I have helped moms create and lead outdoor co-ops, playgroups, and forest school groups. My outdoor groups have continued over these years and evolved as our kids have grown. The deep relationships that have resulted from these groups are an important part of our motherhood support system. My goal is to help other moms experience this kind of support! The benefits of the outdoors are for everyone, and I can help you get outdoors in whatever way works for you!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of my business has not always been smooth. After 3 years of building communities worldwide, I fell and injured my wrist and needed surgery that required a cast and recovery. My recovery took over 3 months, and I couldn’t do many things I was doing for my business, so I had to take time away. It was very challenging to be forced to step away. This also added to my struggle with depression. I continued to nurture my groups but had to put helping others aside. Even while I took time away, I always felt the pull to return to what I enjoyed. I knew in my heart I needed to find a way to return and continue to help others enjoy the outdoors and build community, but I did not know how.
When the pandemic started in March 2020, I put my skills to work and built an outdoor homeschool pod. Our group gave playtime for the kids, a grocery co-op when food was challenging to source, and support for the moms trying to figure out what to do while the world was upside down. Our community grew, bringing in more families and creating outdoor activities for all of us as we adjusted to the pandemic changes. This community is the strongest and most welcoming group of women I have ever shared space with. What we created together is priceless.
This is when I called a family friend who was a business coach and asked for advice on sharing my passion with others. We worked together mostly on my mindset. This was so impactful for me in starting my business and personally. In January 2022, I joined a group coaching program connecting me to many amazing women entrepreneurs. Having this community has been life-changing. In May 2022, I launched my business, and it has been a dream come true! Entrepreneurship has many challenges. The foundation I was able to build by investing in myself first gave me the confidence to start Outdoor Play Connection to share my passion, knowledge, and experience so others can have the support and benefits of an outdoor community!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Outdoor Play Connection is where you can find the resources and support to get outdoors. As an Outdoor Lifestyle Coach, I help moms get outdoors with their kids or for their self-care. My focus is on normalizing the outdoors! I help you realize what you can do and the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Building outdoor communities and helping moms and their kids enjoy nature together without the stress of what society makes us feel we “should” do is part of my passion. Bringing moms together to enjoy the outdoors and have support in their motherhood journey is the goal. When my clients tell me how their kids, who never wanted to leave the couch, are now leading them on hikes, it brings me so much joy to hear about the change they made for themselves.
My programs offer 1:1 coaching to design your time outdoors or group coaching to build your outdoor community. Both of these programs will help you enjoy the outdoors while also focusing on what you enjoy, your lifestyle, and your available time.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
The beach is my happy place. I grew up ten minutes away from the beach. I always enjoyed watching surfers, watching storms come in, camping on the beach, building sandcastles, and swimming in the ocean. There was even a nature boardwalk we could explore. The ocean and the forest are all in one place. I always wanted to know how to surf but never tried it. At 39, I decided to take lessons at the Jersey shore, and I am now an independent surfer! It is my most amazing experience and has become my favorite activity. Now I have a wonderful surfing community too!
Pricing:
- $150 Intensive 90 min – This is for specific challenges you may have and want to work through
- $500 group coaching – 8 week group coaching program to Build Your Outdoor Community
- $800 1:1 coaching – 8 week program to Design Your Time Outdoors
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.outdoorplayconnection.com/about
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/outdoorplayconnection
