Goseong-gun in Gangwon Province has launched a play-based arts program that invites children to use the county's natural landscape as their canvas — exploring, creating and playing freely in the outdoors.
The Goseong Cultural Foundation runs the program, called "Deo Noldaga," to expand children's access to cultural and artistic experiences across the country.
Built around Goseong's natural environment and local resources, the program encourages children to explore and move on their own terms as they engage with art and culture.
Rather than guiding participants toward a predetermined outcome, the program focuses on helping children build relationships, make things through play, and develop their own sensibilities and ways of thinking.
This year's program will run in two rounds — in July and September — centered on the former Songjong Branch of Geojin Elementary School.
The foundation is accepting applications from children who wish to join the July sessions, which will be held every Saturday and Sunday from July 11 to July 19.
The program runs on four days in total — July 11, 12, 18 and 19 — from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The July lineup features three activities: a "waterway project" in which participants explore how water flows and build their own channels; "a meal together," a cooking-and-sharing session; and "bushcraft," where children make everyday tools and structures in nature. Details on each session's content and eligible age groups are available on the online registration page.
The participation fee is 10,000 won ($6) for children from the Goseong, Sokcho, Yangyang and Inje areas, and 20,000 won for those from elsewhere — meaning children from all over South Korea are welcome to join this nature-based arts adventure.
Registration opens Friday at 1 p.m. through an online store accessible via QR code; payment is processed at the time of registration. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration for individual sessions will close once capacity is reached. Program details are also available on the Deo Noldaga Instagram account, the Goseong Cultural Foundation's social media channels and its official website.
"Deo Noldaga is a play-based cultural arts education program where children see, touch and move through Goseong's nature and learn on their own," a foundation official said. "We hope Songjong Branch will be filled with children's laughter and energy, and we warmly invite everyone to take part."
Details on the September program schedule and registration will be announced separately at a later date.
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