Play Ethic

At PlayHaven, our philosophy is: "Play more and work less." We define play as something you do for its own sake. The act of playing is its own reward. When we are engaged in play, there is no goal that needs to be achieved, nowhere else we need to be, nothing else we need to do, and nobody else we need to become. Just playing is enough.

Work, on the other hand, is a means to an end. With work, there is a goal of some kind: achievement, wealth, advancement, stability, and security. We work for the benefit of an employer, such as a corporation, government agency, or non-profit organization.

PlayHaven supports productivity, as long as the product does not overshadow the process. We promote "make-it" play circles in which groups of people come together to grow and prepare food, create art, or make usable goods such as furniture, toys, clothing, paper, personal care products, musical instruments,  or building supplies. The activities of these circles can be play as long as they are done in a manner that is enjoyable and rewarding to the participants and with the intention to benefit the community as a whole rather than just a segment of it.

PlayHaven is also interested in taking financial pressure off individuals so that they can free up more time to engage in the activities they most enjoy. One way we are doing this is by establishing buying clubs that allow people to buy necessary items at or near wholesale prices. Such clubs can offer goods and services that are consistent with our values of health, sustainability, and balance. These include: organic, locally-grown foods; used products or ones made from recycled materials; plants, seeds, and composting equipment for home gardeners; and technology that helps to conserve energy, water, and other natural resources.

PlayHaven views the exchange and distribution of goods and services as an opportunity for enjoyable social interactions. We intend to offer open-aired markets with live music, food tasting, and other fun activities.