Latest Blog Posts
"Better a bad day outdoors than a good day
indoors"... Posted: 28/07/2013
Some familiar friendly faces, both adults and
children :-). Competitively charged including Man Hunt, Capture the Flag,
De... Posted: 22/07/2013
Such fun to see 29 children running and playing at
Woodland Adventurers. Familiar faces from our Forest School sessions
wi... Posted: 21/07/2013
Having fun today in the sunshine trying to make a
long bow from reclaimed materials. It is still work in progress so not
s... Posted: 14/07/2013
Back to our outdoor fun for parents and their
toddlers. Petting and feeding farm animals, parachute fun,
"real" bear hunt,... Posted: 12/07/2013
A happy, friendly and inclusive bunch of girls from
Heywood Preparatory School, Corsham, Wiltshire. It is fabulous to see
... Posted: 12/07/2013
No nerf battles this morning. We played hide
and seek tag, we fed the farm animals, we played bulldog, we built dens, we
h... Posted: 11/07/2013
Nerf battles, water fights, den building, capture
the flag, man hunt and toasting marshmallows on the camp fire.
Heaven!... Posted: 11/07/2013
An absolutely wonderful group of pre-school
children from Broughton Gifford (a village between Bath and Melksham) visited
Woodla... Posted: 10/07/2013
Posted @ 22:01:18
on 28 July 2013 back to top
Some familiar
friendly faces, both adults and children :-). Competitively charged
including Man Hunt, Capture the Flag, Den Building, Nerf and Water Fight.
Now more holiday club bookings coming in.
Posted @ 21:34:41
on 22 July 2013 back to top
Such fun
to see 29 children running and playing at Woodland Adventurers. Familiar
faces from our Forest School sessions with Corsham Primary School from a year
ago as well as the many birthday parties in between. Boys and girls
having fun building dens, feeding the farm animals, running, chasing and
experiencing the camp fire. A wonderful birthday cake from a highly skilled
amateur who should turn professional! Always great to see the parents
actively joining in as the children love it!
Posted @ 16:59:51
on 21 July 2013 back to top
Having
fun today in the sunshine trying to make a long bow from reclaimed
materials. It is still work in progress so not sure of the results and
performance yet, but great fun.
Also, some basket weaving using natural and man made materials which is very relaxing.
Also, some basket weaving using natural and man made materials which is very relaxing.
Posted @ 22:17:01
on 14 July 2013 back to top
A happy,
friendly and inclusive bunch of girls from Heywood Preparatory School, Corsham,
Wiltshire. It is fabulous to see children playing games with their own
style and cultural angle. Capture the flag is one of our most competitive
games that can bring out all the personalities. A pleasure to have such a
lovely group who played competitively, strategically, tactically and
fairly. Well that was until we got to the water fight where everyone was
against everyone!!
Posted @ 10:00:15
on 12 July 2013 back to top
Back to
our outdoor fun for parents and their toddlers. Petting and feeding farm
animals, parachute fun, "real" bear hunt, camp fire, toasted tea
cakes, biscuits, squash, tea and coffee...all for only £5 per family. Check
out our website for details http://www.woodlandadventurers.com/Parent-and-Toddlers(2854681).htm.
Advance booking is becoming more and more important as our numbers are growing
fast!
Posted @ 09:54:00
on 12 July 2013 back to top
Nerf
battles, water fights, den building, capture the flag, man hunt and toasting
marshmallows on the camp fire. Heaven!
Posted @ 09:51:27
on 11 July 2013 back to top
No nerf
battles this morning. We played hide and seek tag, we fed the farm
animals, we played bulldog, we built dens, we had a water fight and we toasted
marshmallows. It is always fabulous to see returning groups of families
and children.
Posted @ 09:46:34
on 11 July 2013 back to top
An
absolutely wonderful group of pre-school children from Broughton Gifford (a
village between Bath and Melksham) visited Woodland Adventurers for fun in the
woods and feeding the farm animals - pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, guinea fowl,
rabbits. Our outdoor education was packed full of physical activities and
freedom which was fueled with overwhelming excitement from the children, staff
and parents.
Posted @ 09:20:28
on 10 July 2013 back to top
Fun
hiking. We explored woodlands and the countryside. We found rivers
and streams. We used nets to fish for water folk! One of us caught
a mini fish...and of course we returned it safe and sound back to where it came
from! We played in a park on the swings and slides. We also saw the
local school come out to play in the sunshine too. Sadly they only had 30
happy minutes to run and play before they went back into their steamy
classrooms. We had 6 hours to run and play, learning and discovering new
things on the way. A happy day.
Posted @ 09:15:12
on 09 July 2013 back to top
Lots and
lots of preschool groups coming up to Woodland Adventurers for Forest School
sessions and one off adventures.
We have been having so much fun, running, playing and exploring the woodland and countryside. We have fed farm animals. We have cooked on the camp fire. We have done so many fun activities.
Learning through fabulous fun outdoor activities. Learning is exciting and it should never be a chore - learning is an exciting adventure.
At Woodland Adventurers the word "learning" has the same meaning as the word "fun".
Come and play in the woods learning about nature, learning about animals, build social skills, build confidence and build self esteem / self belief. Learn about science. Learn about cooking. Learn how to manage hazards and risks. It goes on and on - there is so much to learn through exciting fun experiences in the outdoors.
When you and your child are having fun the time will go fast and you and your child will learn more than you realise.
Do check out our website and do contact us to find out more information about how to get involved.
We have been having so much fun, running, playing and exploring the woodland and countryside. We have fed farm animals. We have cooked on the camp fire. We have done so many fun activities.
Learning through fabulous fun outdoor activities. Learning is exciting and it should never be a chore - learning is an exciting adventure.
At Woodland Adventurers the word "learning" has the same meaning as the word "fun".
Come and play in the woods learning about nature, learning about animals, build social skills, build confidence and build self esteem / self belief. Learn about science. Learn about cooking. Learn how to manage hazards and risks. It goes on and on - there is so much to learn through exciting fun experiences in the outdoors.
When you and your child are having fun the time will go fast and you and your child will learn more than you realise.
Do check out our website and do contact us to find out more information about how to get involved.
Posted @ 14:37:43
on 01 July 2013 back to top
With two
new children coming to our Forest
School PLUS Home Ed
group today, the fun started with a blast. Home Ed /
Home Education / Home School children mixing, socialising and making new
friends.
- Free play, running and exploring the woods.
- Feeding the farm animals (pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens and ducks)
- Playing bulldog
- Picnic lunch outdoors
- Playing rounders
- Den building
- Toasting marshmallows on the camp fire
- Lots of playing, laughing and socialising
Posted @ 22:33:13
on 11 June 2013 back to top
Forest
School PLUS for Corsham Primary School, Broadwood - Reception class.
Fifteen fantastic, happy school children exploring and having fun in the woods at Woodland Adventurers. We started with a game of family tag through the woodland. All the children were running fast - up and down the slopes, in and out of the trees! A joy to watch and to join in as all adults had to run fast to keep up with them.
We lit a camp fire and talked about the good aspects and not so good aspects of fire. Fire can keep you warm, fire can be used for cooking (including marshmallows - I think they've guessed what's coming later!), fire can even be used for sending smoke signals - but probably not so frequently these days! Fire is also hot and it must be respected. Smoke smells good in small doses around a camp fire, but lots of smoke is dangerous. Learning through real life experiences.
We sat and whittled magic wands! Some were Harry Potter wands for wizards and witches. Some were fairy wands.
We sat safely away from others. A good posture and a safe action with the tool were very important.
Spells were made. People turned into frogs, dragons, princesses, polar bears and snow monsters - and luckily they were all turned back to themselves again!
Toasting marshmallows was gooey, yummy and fun!
Then we did lots of den building with sticks and wood, we played on the swings and we chased each other playing tag and performing more magical spells. Lots of free play and free spirits!
Fifteen fantastic, happy school children exploring and having fun in the woods at Woodland Adventurers. We started with a game of family tag through the woodland. All the children were running fast - up and down the slopes, in and out of the trees! A joy to watch and to join in as all adults had to run fast to keep up with them.
We lit a camp fire and talked about the good aspects and not so good aspects of fire. Fire can keep you warm, fire can be used for cooking (including marshmallows - I think they've guessed what's coming later!), fire can even be used for sending smoke signals - but probably not so frequently these days! Fire is also hot and it must be respected. Smoke smells good in small doses around a camp fire, but lots of smoke is dangerous. Learning through real life experiences.
We sat and whittled magic wands! Some were Harry Potter wands for wizards and witches. Some were fairy wands.
We sat safely away from others. A good posture and a safe action with the tool were very important.
Spells were made. People turned into frogs, dragons, princesses, polar bears and snow monsters - and luckily they were all turned back to themselves again!
Toasting marshmallows was gooey, yummy and fun!
Then we did lots of den building with sticks and wood, we played on the swings and we chased each other playing tag and performing more magical spells. Lots of free play and free spirits!
Posted @ 17:30:08
on 11 June 2013 back to top
This
morning's fun included:
- Feeding, petting pigs and smelling their house / sty!
- Feeding sheep (that look like goats!) and smelling their house!
- Feeding chickens and smelling the hen house / chicken coup!
- Feeding ducks and smelling the duck house!
- A game of tag, through the woodland
- We're going on a bear hunt in the forest looking for 'real' bears!
- Toasting hot cross buns on the open camp fire
- Toasting marshmallows on the camp fire
Posted @ 08:14:24
on 10 June 2013 back to top
Twenty
five 10 year old boys and girls from Bath, Somerset - running and playing in
the great outdoors at Woodland Adventurers
today. A highly competitive bunch - friendly, sociable and
inclusive. Our day's activities included:
- Man hunt - some fast runners!
- Den building - trip wires and barricades galore!
- Capture the flag - highly competitive
- Nerf battle - lots of fun
- Water fight - pretty wet really!
- Camp fire food
Posted @ 14:08:48
on 09 June 2013 back to top
A fun and
excited group of children playing in the woods at Woodland
Adventurers in Box, Corsham, Wiltshire (between Bath and Chippenham).
Many of the boys had visited us before. On this occasion we visited the
pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks. Some running games. Lots of
fantastic den building. Camp fire food and toasting marshmallows around
the camp fire was lots of fun.
Posted @ 13:55:00
on 08 June 2013 back to top
Sunshine
through the trees and a great group of lads this morning from Chippenham,
Wiltshire that got right into manhunt, den building, capture the flag, nerf battle,
water fight and toasting marshmallows in the forest / woodland!
Posted @ 12:56:41
on 08 June 2013 back to top
Water
fight, nerf battle, capture the flag, man hunt, den building, camp fire, camp
fire food, toasting marshmallows...phew! Lots to fit into the
party! Lots of fun! Burning lots of energy running and playing.
An excitable and friendly group of competitive boys from Bath this afternoon.
Posted @ 13:19:23
on 07 June 2013 back to top
A much
quieter session in the woods this morning. Where was everyone? Were
they hiding in the woods? Were they keeping out of the cold? Were
they scared of the Gruffalo? Yes...this time we went on a Gruffalo hunt in
the wood, plus some other games, a camp fire, toasted tea cakes on the fire,
tea & coffee for the adults, pigs, rabbits, sheep, chickens and
ducks. For more details visit Parent
& Toddlers.
Posted @ 13:02:20
on 07 June 2013 back to top
Fabulous
fun-loving and caring children from Heywood Preparatory School running and
having fun at Woodland Adventurers. A
birthday party for two 11 year old boys. A mix of boys and girls.
Activities included:
- Den building
- Tug of war
- Camp fire
- Toasting marshmallows
- Bulldog
- Man hunt
- Feeding pigs
- Feeding rabbits
- Feeding sheep
- Feeding chickens
- Feeding ducks
- Lots of free play in the woodland
- Camp fire food
A truly
fabulous and inclusive group of boys and girls who simply want to have fun!
Happy go lucky!
Posted @ 23:27:33
on 06 June 2013 back to top
A little
chilly start to the day and a wonderful morning in the woods (deep dark
forest!) at Woodland Adventurers with lots
of preschool children.
- Exploring
- Playing
- Building dens
- Collecting sticks for the camp fire
- Camp fire
- Popcorn on the camp fire
- Team games
- Feeding pigs
- Feeding sheep
- Saying a big hello to the bunny rabbits
- Feeding chickens
- Feeding ducks
Posted @ 23:15:39
on 06 June 2013 back to top
A fun
birthday party today for 18 teenagers from Sheldon School in Chippenham,
Wiltshire.
Really fab seeing teenagers having real fun in the outdoors. They were away from their computer games and they were laughing, running, chasing and of course demonstrating their speed and competitiveness.
A quote: "this is great fun I feel like I am 7 years old again!"
Boys verses girls!
9 players on each side.
"Capture the flag" was a blast. Boys were strong but girls were getting very competitive towards the end!
The boys were very experienced when battling the Nerf war. But the water fight brought the girls back to a level playing field, and did they win...difficult to tell! Everyone was soaked!
War paint everywhere. Unusual colours though! Birthday girl teenager plastered in paint. Birthday boy teenager somehow avoided it - smart move!
Toasting marshmallows on the camp fire, hot dogs "wolfed" down in a flash.
Brilliant fun! Great seeing teenagers away from computer games and have natural team game fun in the outdoors!
An awesome group and inspiring!
Really fab seeing teenagers having real fun in the outdoors. They were away from their computer games and they were laughing, running, chasing and of course demonstrating their speed and competitiveness.
A quote: "this is great fun I feel like I am 7 years old again!"
Boys verses girls!
9 players on each side.
"Capture the flag" was a blast. Boys were strong but girls were getting very competitive towards the end!
The boys were very experienced when battling the Nerf war. But the water fight brought the girls back to a level playing field, and did they win...difficult to tell! Everyone was soaked!
War paint everywhere. Unusual colours though! Birthday girl teenager plastered in paint. Birthday boy teenager somehow avoided it - smart move!
Toasting marshmallows on the camp fire, hot dogs "wolfed" down in a flash.
Brilliant fun! Great seeing teenagers away from computer games and have natural team game fun in the outdoors!
An awesome group and inspiring!
Posted @ 14:37:47
on 05 June 2013 back to top
Imagine
dappled sunshine glimmering through our beech trees. Plenty of space for
children to run and play - feeling a sense of freedom...
- Nerf battles
- Water fights
- Capture the flag
- Man hunt
- Den building
- Toasting marshmallows
- Camp fire hot dogs
Plus tea
and coffee for the adults!
We can
achieve a lot of fun at Woodland Adventurers outdoor
woodland birthday
parties.
Posted @ 22:30:46
on 04 June 2013 back to top
Super
sunshine weather! What a wonderful day!
Our home ed / home education / home school Forest School PLUS group had heaps of fun playing and learning in the outdoors. Lots of socialising, making friends, building on existing friendships and motivation. Lots of fun learning through new and fun outdoor experiences.
Our home ed / home education / home school Forest School PLUS group had heaps of fun playing and learning in the outdoors. Lots of socialising, making friends, building on existing friendships and motivation. Lots of fun learning through new and fun outdoor experiences.
- Feeding farm animals (pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks and rabbits)
- Bulldog team game
- Rounders team game
- More team games
- Making bunting from recycled material
- Den building
- Climbing
- Lots of free play and imagination in the woodland
- Hiking and exploring
Posted @ 22:06:50
on 04 June 2013 back to top
At Woodland Adventurers
we have had such a fun holiday
club last week that we cannot wait until the summer
holiday club / day camp.
Starting at the end of the summer term in July through all of August until the children go back to school for the autumn term. For more information visit our website at http://www.woodlandadventurers.com/Holiday-Club(2875736).htm.
We aim to keep our prices highly competitive and to provide the children with the most amazing fun through our outdoor activities. Please feel free to compare our prices and activities to other local providers as we truly believe that we will offer you the best value for money.
Woodland Adventurers is based in Box, Wiltshire (near Corsham - between Bath, Somerset and Chippenham).
Starting at the end of the summer term in July through all of August until the children go back to school for the autumn term. For more information visit our website at http://www.woodlandadventurers.com/Holiday-Club(2875736).htm.
We aim to keep our prices highly competitive and to provide the children with the most amazing fun through our outdoor activities. Please feel free to compare our prices and activities to other local providers as we truly believe that we will offer you the best value for money.
Woodland Adventurers is based in Box, Wiltshire (near Corsham - between Bath, Somerset and Chippenham).
Posted @ 21:22:25
on 03 June 2013 back to top
Two
fabulous outdoor woodland birthday
parties today at Woodland Adventurers in Box,
Wiltshire (near Bath, Somerset).
Both birthday parties were for very excited and full of energy 8 year old birthday boys and their friends. Girls and boys were running and playing.
Both birthday parties were jam packed with fun to burn off the amazing amount of excitement and energy. The children all went home having had lots of fun, they were a little wet (from water fights!) and they were hopefully ready to sleep well tonight!
Our outdoor activities today included:
Both birthday parties were for very excited and full of energy 8 year old birthday boys and their friends. Girls and boys were running and playing.
Both birthday parties were jam packed with fun to burn off the amazing amount of excitement and energy. The children all went home having had lots of fun, they were a little wet (from water fights!) and they were hopefully ready to sleep well tonight!
Our outdoor activities today included:
- Den building
- Camp fire
- Camp fire food
- Toasting / toasted marshmallows
- Man hunt
- Capture the flag
- Nerf battles
- Water fight
- Even some fitness exercises for the teams including press ups and sit ups!
Lots of
high energy fun for kids in the outdoors in Box, Wiltshire (near Corsham -
between Bath and Chippenham).
Posted @ 18:00:48
on 03 June 2013 back to top
Are you seeking more exciting birthday
party ideas?
Do you want a hassle free birthday party for your child?
Do you want a hassle free birthday party for your child?
Woodland
Adventurers provides low hassle outdoor woodland birthday
parties for boys and girls.
Our
parties take place in our beautiful woodland in Box, Wiltshire (between Bath
and Chippenham).
We have
exciting fun in the outdoors in nearly all weathers.
Rain
means mud and mud means even more fun!!!
All you
need to think about are who to invite, a cake and party bags!
We will
take care of the rest.
Posted @ 18:50:35
on 01 June 2013 back to top
Another
fabulous holiday club
day at Woodland Adventurers.
We played in the woods. We built dens from natural materials that were so
camouflaged that they looked like they had Harry Potter's "invisibility
cloak" hiding them. We fed the farm animals - pigs, sheep, rabbits,
chickens and ducks. We cooked on the camp fire - toasted tea cakes - yum
yum! We went on a "real" bear hunt in the woods. We
played "bulldog". We had a picnic and the sheep tried to steal
our food. We played with a football.
This time we also went on a Quest. We entered a story which included a magical world. There were dinosaurs, monsters, spirits and red indians. We tracked some red indians to the "Valley of the Snakes". Magical powers changed some of the children into red indians on the way. This helped us towards our destiny. We did loads of climbing and scrambling up muddy slopes using a rope and all the children were simply amazing at supporting their peers in the rest of the group through the treacherous journey towards the end of the story. We also took peace offerings to the three Woodland Adventurers gods (dandelion leaves and grass for the Woodland Adventurers rabbits!).
Fabulous fun and fabulous children!
This time we also went on a Quest. We entered a story which included a magical world. There were dinosaurs, monsters, spirits and red indians. We tracked some red indians to the "Valley of the Snakes". Magical powers changed some of the children into red indians on the way. This helped us towards our destiny. We did loads of climbing and scrambling up muddy slopes using a rope and all the children were simply amazing at supporting their peers in the rest of the group through the treacherous journey towards the end of the story. We also took peace offerings to the three Woodland Adventurers gods (dandelion leaves and grass for the Woodland Adventurers rabbits!).
Fabulous fun and fabulous children!
Posted @ 18:36:14
on 31 May 2013 back to top
We have
had such a fun day in the woods during our holiday
club day at Woodland Adventurers.
The adventures and activities included a camp fire, team games, visiting the
farm animals (pigs, Sheep, rabbits, chickens and ducks), hiking and exploring
the "Caves of Doom" and a picnic in the "Valley of the
Snakes". We used a rope to scramble up slopes - pretty cool!
We also had heaps of fun having freedom to run, play and explore loads of open
space and woodland. We also managed to squeeze in a little whittling of
hiking sticks around the camp fire. Fantastic kids (including a
"Super Ninja") and just great outdoors fun!
Posted @ 18:13:53
on 30 May 2013 back to top
We have had
some fantastic fun with our Forest
School PLUS sessions with Corsham Primary School (Corsham, Wiltshire) this
spring and summer.
Children from all the Reception classes from both Corsham Primary School sites (Pound Pill and Broadwood sites) - 90 children - have attended over a number of weeks.
Forest School PLUS activities have included:
Children from all the Reception classes from both Corsham Primary School sites (Pound Pill and Broadwood sites) - 90 children - have attended over a number of weeks.
Forest School PLUS activities have included:
- Farm Animals - we have had fun visiting the farm animals - pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens and ducks.
- Climbing - every child learning to climb a farm gate - building confidence and self-esteem.
- Health and fitness - there has been a lot of running on the Woodland Adventurers' 4 acre site (in Box Wiltshire) playing family tag throughout the woodland.
- Wood craft - Whittling wands with magic spells. All 90 children learning how to use tools safely to create their own powerful, magical wands...to turn their teacher into a frog!
- Camp fires - learning the good and not so good aspects of fire. Reasons why fires are useful, such as for cooking, keeping warm and even for sending smoke signals! Reasons for fires being dangerous including being hot, the smoke and even discussion about 'bush' fires in other parts of the world.
- Cooking marshmallows - sweet and yummy fun!
- Cooking popcorn - always popular and this time cooked on the camp fire rather than at home in the microwave oven!
- Den building - den building using man-made materials and natural materials - learning about structures and having fun creating a shelter.
We have
had such a fun time!
Fabulous
news is that many of the parents want their children to come back to visit Woodland Adventurers
for exclusive Corsham Primary School days over the summer!
Posted @ 01:18:42
on 29 May 2013 back to top
Forest
School PLUS this week with Corsham Primary School (Broadwood and Pound
Pill) visiting Woodland Adventurers
included running, whittling, magic wands, magic spells, camp fire, toasting
marshmallows and toasting popcorn. Fabulous groups of children having fun
and learning (without even noticing!) in the outdoors. A joy to spend
time with the children, the school staff and the parent helpers.
Posted @ 21:27:27
on 23 May 2013 back to top
More Forest
School PLUS sessions for Corsham Primary School at Woodland Adventurers.
This time we had lots of fun running, playing and visiting the farm animals again. We visited the pigs and this time we went right in with them and gave them a cuddle as well! More feeding the sheep, chickens and ducks. We discussed the differences between hens and cockerels as well as eggs, chicks and ducklings. We opened a freshly laid duck egg to see whether there was a duckling or egg inside!
We also discussed Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Box Tunnel. Box Tunnel is positioned directly under the Woodland Adventurers site at Quarry Hill, Box, Wiltshire. An air shaft was capped over previously and we were able to imagine the void of the shaft that was positioned beneath our feet that would take us to the steam engines of the past.
Another game of bulldog complemented the other tag games such as family tag from earlier in the session - mixing healthy physical exercise with learning through our experiences.
This time we had lots of fun running, playing and visiting the farm animals again. We visited the pigs and this time we went right in with them and gave them a cuddle as well! More feeding the sheep, chickens and ducks. We discussed the differences between hens and cockerels as well as eggs, chicks and ducklings. We opened a freshly laid duck egg to see whether there was a duckling or egg inside!
We also discussed Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Box Tunnel. Box Tunnel is positioned directly under the Woodland Adventurers site at Quarry Hill, Box, Wiltshire. An air shaft was capped over previously and we were able to imagine the void of the shaft that was positioned beneath our feet that would take us to the steam engines of the past.
Another game of bulldog complemented the other tag games such as family tag from earlier in the session - mixing healthy physical exercise with learning through our experiences.
Posted @ 21:06:34
on 09 May 2013 back to top
Our
second Woodland Adventurers Forest
School PLUS sessions for the Reception children from Corsham Primary
School, Broadwood and Pound Pill sites.
More fabulous fun in the Enchanted Woodland building dens, learning about structures and materials as well as fire. Of course our session included lots more running and playing with lots of freedom to explore.
More fabulous fun in the Enchanted Woodland building dens, learning about structures and materials as well as fire. Of course our session included lots more running and playing with lots of freedom to explore.
Posted @ 20:58:03
on 02 May 2013 back to top
We had
our first Forest
School PLUS sessions for this year's Reception classes from Corsham Primary
School visiting Woodland Adventurers.
There were 90 excited 4 years olds and 5 year olds visiting Forest School PLUS.
Corsham Primary School is fortunate to have access to its own minibus (funded by the Parent Teachers' Association PTA) and the minibus journey is where the adventures started for the children.
To support Corsham Primary School, Chris Harvey from Woodland Adventurers has undertaken a minibus driving test with Wiltshire Council (in 2012) to enable Woodland Adventurers to drive the minibus where teachers and other teaching / school staff are unable to do so.
Meeting the children for the first time was fabulous. Our first week's adventure went as follows:
There were 90 excited 4 years olds and 5 year olds visiting Forest School PLUS.
Corsham Primary School is fortunate to have access to its own minibus (funded by the Parent Teachers' Association PTA) and the minibus journey is where the adventures started for the children.
To support Corsham Primary School, Chris Harvey from Woodland Adventurers has undertaken a minibus driving test with Wiltshire Council (in 2012) to enable Woodland Adventurers to drive the minibus where teachers and other teaching / school staff are unable to do so.
Meeting the children for the first time was fabulous. Our first week's adventure went as follows:
- All aboard the minibus
- Lots of chatter and giggles
- Just a 5 minute journey!
- Arrive on site at Woodland Adventurers
- Some formalities - the boundary and of course a compost toilet that needed more investigation!
- A game of family tag in the woods
- Say hello to the pigs and throw them some food
- Feed the rare breed sheep from tiny hands
- Feed and cuddle the chickens
- Feed and cuddle the ducks
- Yay! A fun game of bulldog!
- Time to wash hands
- All aboard the minibus
- Lets sing some songs including "the wheels on the bus go round and round"
- Arrive back - tired, but what a fun learning experience!
- Thank you Corsham Primary School
Posted @ 02:14:12
on 25 April 2013 back to top
Fabulous
to start our Forest
School PLUS for local home
educated / home schooled children.
From day one the group is proving to be so popular and there are very few spaces left.
For more information:
From day one the group is proving to be so popular and there are very few spaces left.
For more information:
Home Education - Forest School PLUS
Woodland
Adventurers is now running our Forest School PLUS for Home Education / Home Ed
/ Home School and Flexi-School educated children. The Forest School PLUS
group activities take place in our enchanted woodland for ages 5 to 12 years,
both boys and girls every other Tuesday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The price
is £25 for the first child and £15 for each sibling thereafter. Spaces
are limited to ensure the quality of the experiences for the children.
Booking in advance is essential. Payment in half termly blocks.
If you
would like to find out more contact Chris Harvey on 01225 819714 or email chris@woodlandadventurers.com
.
|
Spring Term
|
Focus
on new life
Planting,
nurturing and harvesting
|
|
Summer Term
|
Focus
on using natural materials and traditional methods
From
rare breed sheep to wool garment
From
tree & crop to basic wood craft & environmentally / ecologically
friendly construction methods
|
|
The
above are specific subjects for the season and these are additional to our
other activities such as hiking, team games, den building, camp fires etc
shown in the table below.
|
|
Our approach to Home Education
There are
many reasons for choosing a home education approach for your child and the most
exciting reason is that you are in control and you can make all the decisions.
Some
pursue the National Curriculum and others follow their own path. Either
way, taking control means you have more ability to provide your child with the
foundations and skills they will need throughout their lives.
Woodland
Adventurers provides Forest School PLUS and Outdoor Learning through outdoor
activities in woodland and the countryside including access to farm animals -
currently pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks.
The
activities themselves are only a small part of the learning. Through the
Forest School PLUS and Outdoor Learning approach at Woodland Adventurers
children will develop their social skills through mixing with other children of
varying ages and adults.
Woodland
Adventurers makes every effort to provide a positive environment for the
children where the word "yes" is used as much as possible, with lots
of encouragement. We believe that this encourages the children to take
responsibility for their decisions and builds self esteem, self confidence and
self belief. Kindness and inclusive behavior by all (to all) is of high
importance in our values.
All
children and adults are treated with respect and as equals. Woodland
Adventurers over time aims to encourage, nurture and enable children to become
responsible, intelligent and creative people, with high levels of self-esteem,
confidence and self-belief, who are kind to others and socialise well.
Activities
Activities
are broad and real, giving children a relevant connection to all
learning. Topics that are covered are as wide as the time allows.
Our approach includes many outdoor activities and our imaginations (including
those of the children) are the only limitations to what can be done. We
aim to be creative and open to ideas at all times and therefore the activity
choices are developing all the time. This is by no means an exhaustive
list and current types of activities include the following:
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Den /
shelter building
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Fire
lighting (including camp fires)
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Team
games
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Farm
animals
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Use of
traditional tools (e.g. bill hooks, braces, knives, saws)
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Hiking
and orienteering
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Arts
and crafts
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Play
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New activities
New
activities planned for 2013 include:
- Performing stage drama and singing
- Building a cob oven (for cooking home-made pizzas!)
- Building a kiln (for firing clay pots and sculptures)
- Developing a larger cooking area (including a field oven and hob)
- Tree planting (for sustainable resources)
- Creating a stage (for drama and performances)
Benefits
Children
will learn through participating in our Forest School PLUS outdoor activities
that will provide them with the learning opportunities as follows:
- Activity-specific learning (topic dependent e.g. farm related, wood craft related, arts and crafts, navigation and orienteering, outdoor cooking, construction and engineering and physical education)
- Social skills (understanding personal relationships, making friends, respecting themselves, respecting their peers and respecting authority / rules)
- Building of self esteem, self confidence and self belief through positive affirmation whilst working with others including children and adults.
Many
activities are child led or child initiated. However, rather than
chaos(!) there is time for structure and group tasks in particular require the
engagement of all. Inclusion is implemented in a positive manner at all
times and children are respected as key members and everyone is considered
equal, with a valid view point that must be respected.
The Home
Ed group is activity based, using the freedom of the outdoors to explore, have
fun and to socialise with other children. Activities are a mix of fast
activities and slower activities such as den building, hiking, camp fires, wood
craft, team games, feeding farm animals and more. In today's increasingly
'screen-based' world (computer games and TV) we aim to provide children with an
opportunity for a counterbalance, providing children with 'real' fun that will
create lifelong positive memories.
Posted @ 07:53:02
on 25 January 2013 back to top
Woodland
Adventurers' Forest School is grounded in getting children to experience
real outdoor fun and learning. It is different to many other Forest
School providers.
Woodland Adventurers
offers Forest
School PLUS. It is Forest School but with a BIG difference.
Visit our Forest School and children will get Forest School PLUS
i.e. basic Forest School plus lots more such as the following:
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Explanation
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Forest School
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Outdoor
activities as you would expect from any Forest School. Woodland
Adventurers will ensure that the activities provide real and exciting outdoor
experiences for children to gain amazing learning opportunities.
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Farm Animals
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Farm
based learning opportunities through feeding and caring for farm animals such
as pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks and rabbits.
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Enchanted Woodland
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Woodland
Adventurers provides 4 acres of enchanted beech woodland and paddock without
public access and without public rights of way - just the perfect size for
providing children with a real sense of freedom and for being able to see
where they are without losing sight of them!
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Additional & extended activities
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In
addition to more conventional Forest School activities Woodland Adventurers
puts significant emphasis on activities for health and well being, including
physical activities such as running, team games and hiking as well as
cooking, bushcraft and pottery in the outdoors.
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Note: Activities will be
adapted to suit the group and weather conditions.
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Posted @ 02:16:10
on 01 January 2013 back to top
Fantastic
news! We now have planning permission granted for Quarry Hill Farm in
Box, Wiltshire for a mixed use of agriculture, education and leisure.
Yippee!!!
It seems
crazy in some respects that people need to gain planning permission for
children to simply play and learn naturally in woodland and the
countryside. But then again, taking a pragmatic view - as activities
evolve it does provide some control over the changes so that it remains in line
with the needs and wants of local people and the local area for now and future
generations. This is in line with Woodland Adventurers' philosophy of
being a positive contribution to the local community.
We
received an overwhelming flood of local people supporting the change - from
people that have used Woodland Adventurers for education and leisure, as well
as many local people who simply enjoy the sound of kids being outdoors and
having natural fun. We are so grateful for all the support and cannot
thank everyone enough.
If others
are in need of achieving a change of use for their land through the planning
process for Forest School and similar educational and leisure activities for
kids, aimed at supporting their well being and educational needs, then do feel
free to get in touch if you would like some advice, guidance or simply some
moral support.
Happy
news for Woodland Adventurers and for the many, many children, families,
schools and groups that enjoy the outdoor fun and outdoor learning.
Posted @ 18:09:20
on 06 November 2012 back to top
In a
quiet season a British holiday maker was sitting in the harbour of a quaint
Spanish coastal village when a fishing boat came in and docked. Inside
the boat was a small catch of fish. Showing interest, the holiday maker
admired the fish and asked the fisherman how long it took for him to catch
them.
The
fisherman replied, "Only a little while, senor". The holiday
maker asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The
fisherman said that he had caught enough fish to provide for all his family's
immediate needs.
The
holiday maker then asked, "So what do you do with the rest of your
time?"
The
fisherman said, "I play with my children, take siesta with my wife,
Rosana, stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar
with my amigos. I have a full and busy life senor."
The
holiday maker smiled, "I have an MBA from a top Business School - that's a
degree in business administration, and lots of corporate business experience -
I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the
proceeds buy a bigger boat, with the proceeds from the bigger boat you would buy
several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of boats. Then instead
of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell to the processor,
eventually opening your own factory canning the fish. You would control
the product, processing and distribution channels. You would, of course,
need to leave this coastal fishing village and move to the city of Madrid, then
have offices in a number of international cities, where you would run your
expanding empire."
The
fisherman asked,"But senor, how long would all this take?"
The
holiday maker replied, "Fifteen to twenty years."
"But,
what then, senor?"
The
holiday maker laughed, "That's the best part. When the time is right
you sell the business on the open market and become very rich. You would
make millions."
"Millions,
senor? But then what?"
"Then
you would retire, move to a small coastal village, where you could sleep late,
fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, Rosana, and
stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar
with your amigos."
Posted @ 17:57:54
on 08 December 2011 back to top
Hunter
Gatherer or Modern Society?
In the
outdoors, with children playing, isn’t it great to see them using their
imagination and deciding their own activities.
Finding resources, materials, even mud to play with – it’s fantastic! As adults, we are often here to just provide
the resources and to enable it to happen in a safe way.
I
sometimes wonder though.
What is
the trigger and influence for many activities?
Boys
often want to make weapons…to use weapons and to chase each other…aka “man
hunt”.
They like
playing with knives - potatoes peelers are just not enough for them - it must
progress quickly to knives whilst whittling sticks.
They also
love making fires, stoking fires and playing with fires.
What is
this? I wonder…weapons, knives, fire…
Is it
modern life? Are they watching too much
TV? Gangster movies? Too many action PC games??? To much reality TV (…including the real
news)?
No.
It has to
be a natural instinct.
A human
instinct.
Hunter,
gatherer.
These are
basic survival skills. Why wouldn’t any
child want to learn instinctive, natural survival skills?
Why would
any adult prevent them from learning such instinctive skills?
Surely
such skills are better to learn properly rather than from in front of an LCD /
LED screen?
Woodland
Adventurers seeks to enable children to play freely. We aim to provide the opportunities for
children to explore and learn new skills.
In all
weathers.
Provided
they are happy, comfortable and safe.
We want
to enable children to learn MASSIVELY.
We want them to learn practical skills, but more importantly social
skills, building their self esteem and self confidence and we want them to have
fun.
The most
amazing fun!
So whilst
they are having this amazing fun, they don’t even realise that they are
learning.
At
Woodland Adventurers we fundamentally believe that learning is fun, in fact it
MUST be fun…and as a result…with time…FUN IS…LEARNING!
For us
these words have the same meaning!
If a
child believes that learning is fun…just think…they could achieve anything!
Posted @ 00:53:57
on 02 December 2011 back to top
