Outdoor Forest School Camp (Kids)

Forest School at Holiday Academy is an inspirational alternative learning experience which takes place on a regular basis outdoors in natural settings and across all seasons for ages 7-12s, 5-7s and for 3-5s. The children need appropriate clothing and footwear, together with a packed lunch and a water bottle.

Through a carefully planned programme of achievable tasks, play and activities including den/shelter building, fire lighting*, outdoor cooking*, team games, wood work, tool use*, and nature-based craft, each participant has an opportunity to learn about and connect to the natural environment, problem solve, and enjoy being part of a team. Forest school looks at each child individually and moulds the sessions around the children to enable self-esteem, independence, and creativity to flourish in the fresh air. We believe in the philosophy which underpins the Forest School movement which encourages children’s personal, social and emotional skills – a process of self-discovery and sense of achievement – and all with hands-on experience. Through our Forest School club, we aim to build on resilience and emotional intelligence, for the child to be more self-aware and empathetic towards themselves, their relationships and their environment. Our base-line is ‘not to make anyone feel bad about themselves’. The self-esteem boost will enable more effective learning as they take ownership of their processes rather than just the results, and the confidence to have a go and learn from their mistakes.

The children are dropped off at the local park venues, as specified in the welcome email (this arrives a week ahead of the holiday), in their age-groups and are checked in by the Forest school leaders + assistants to spend the day outside in one of the local parks. They get ready with the appropriate clothing and hi-viz vests, packed lunches and waterbottles and hear about the plan for the day, asking any questions they need to.