FOREST FRIENDS
Introduction:
We would love to introduce you to our Forest Friends Sessions. These take place in an outdoor natural learning environment such as a woodland or open space with trees, streams and other interesting natural features.
Forest School is a holistic approach to learning where children develop skills through experiential learning. There are no set goals or targets to achieve, the activities are child led and follow their interests. This is a real opportunity to allow children to move, be active and develop resilience skills through choices and decisions they make themselves, building their confidence and self-esteem.
At Forest School children have the opportunity to:
- Access the outdoors
- Access natural materials to become creative
- Build resilience and confidence
- Develop initiative and team building skills
- Have fun and learn with family and friends
- Building dens
- Fire building and cooking
For more information on the ethos of Forest School, can be found at www.forestschoolassociation.org
Volunteers:
Volunteers are welcomed as we recognise that people often need opportunities to develop and grow themselves and this would be an excellent way to gain experience of working in an outdoor environment and with children. All volunteers must have an enhanced disclosure check and be able to provide at least two references. All new volunteers will receive a short induction session to familiarise them with our Forest School site, procedures and equipment.
Planning and Co-ordination of Forest School Activities :
Responsibility for planning and delivery of sessions will be undertaken by at least one qualified Forest School Level 3 Leader. A maximum of ten children accompanied by at least one parent per family will be able to be accommodated at any one time
As Forest School is child led experiential learning the Forest School Leader will bring a range of equipment to enable activities such as:
- Fire pits & Cooking
- Tools to enable us to make natural keepsakes
- Hammocks
- Outdoor games
- Parachute
- Tree Swing
- Slack Lines
- Wood whittling
- Pond dipping
All Forest School activities are delivered by qualified leaders and assistans and are insured by Birnbeck Insurance
Schools and Groups:
We can also provide one-off outdoor learning experiences or five week blocks of Forest School activities for school and community groups. If this is something that would be of interest please contact us with your requirements and we would be happy to create a bespoke package that will meet your needs.
Consents:
All parents will be required to complete an Indemnity and Consent Form for their own and their child(ren) to be able to participate at Forest School.
The Indemnity and Consent Form includes information in relation to:
- Ability to participate in activities
- Medical conditions
- Medications and safe arrangements for taking them
- Emergency contacts
- Liability
- Insurance
- Use of photographs
- Use of findings for research purposes