Imagine your child spending a full day in the bush? Climbing, playing, learning bush survival skills, making cubbies, building rope swings, learning to navigate and keep safe. That is what we do at forest school and it’s exactly what kids need to be doing after a term at school. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get kids off the screens and into our forest school holiday program for the day!

Our team of highly experienced forest school educators will support your child’s learning so that they become more confident, curious, capable and are taught to learn how to take safe risks in the bush through climbing, building and using real tools. They will also discover and learn about our natural environment and it’s fascinating wildlife.

Some of the activities that the children will do are;

• Build bush cubbies
• Bush navigation using maps and identifying symbols/landmarks in the area.
• Learn rope knots and construction.
• Bush survival and snake safety.
• Lots of challenging tree climbing.
• Use real tools.

Our forest school aims to inspire creativity, a natural curiosity and enriching sensory play experience while following your child’s interests at all times. We also ensure that children learn to use their bodies so that they develop strength, good balance and coordination while learning to take safe risks with guidance and support from the educators.

Our program is based on the leading research from world-renowned and leading Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Angela Hanscom, author of Balanced and Barefoot to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through climbing, balancing, walking and fine motor skills during our craft activities. Research clearly shows that the more time your child spends in nature, the better they are prepared for learning and life skills, both physically and emotionally. As Angela illustrates, “too many of today’s children miss out on the full sensory richness offered beyond the walls of the classroom or home.”

The forest school workshop will be run by Adam and Ashlee who are both experienced forest school leaders.

Forest school Melbourne is an all-weather outdoor program so you need to make sure you bring appropriate weather protection and clothing. Children must have closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and a change of clothes. Our program will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong wind.

Ages: 6-12 years

*This is a drop off session only