Everyone needs a clubhouse! You can build your own backyard shelter, retreat, or clubhouse even if you have never built anything before. The clubhouse above was built in 1959 by three kids aged 8, 9 and 11, with no money or help from grownups! I know; I was the 11-year-old who took this picture. I'm sharing here what I have learned since then.
Readers of all ages are welcome to comment with their own ideas, pictures or stories.
To help you on your way, I've written a book titled "Keep Out! Build Your Own Backyard Clubhouse", which is available through bookstores or at Amazon.com . Many of the items I post here are also in the book.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Clubhouse from the air, 1963

In January, 1963, we had some high tides and the beach had washed out, so Sunset Beach and Surfside were in the news. One morning an airplane flew over our neighborhood and took this photo:

See the surf!
See the houses hanging over the surf!
See the Pacific Coast Highway behind the houses.
In between is our neighborhood, my whole world for a while.

Click on the picture to make it bigger...

If you look just across the street (to the right) from the water tower, you'll see a fenced yard with a car in it. Next to the car is a little gray box-- our new clubhouse built against the fence. It was probably a school day otherwise we'd be playing there, or else watching the waves hitting the houses!