Nurturing friendships and making memories
Our School sessions are designed to foster the participant’s relationship with the natural environment and promote holistic development, positive mental health, friendship, reliance, confidence, independence, and creativity.
We believe in child/young adult-centered play, development, and learning, with the participants leading their own learning path and us acting as guides to help them on their way.
Some of the activities we offer include den building, child-led play and learning, team-building games, bushcraft, fire lighting, campfire cooking, tool work, knotwork, crafting, and green space management. We also offer mental health and well-being exercises, reflection, seasonal-specific work, gardening skills, low ropes, and hand drumming circles (if the school has hand drums to provide).
We bring all the necessary equipment for our sessions, including tarps for rainy days, climbing ropes, slacklines, fire-making equipment, a range of tools for woodwork, first aid supplies, and garden equipment. We even have large hammocks, which allow up to 48 children to be in the trees at one time.
Children at our school started Forest Schools in September 2022 and they have not stopped talking about it since. When asked what their favourite memories of Year 4 have been so far, they all, resoundingly, say Forest Schools.
Best Buds Forest Schools was of huge benefit to our Year 6 class to set them up for a busy year; time outside of the classroom, learning valuable outdoor and life skills and growing in independence, resilience and teamwork.
Richard in an expert in engaging the children and making their new learning fun. This is unlike any other experience they've had in school before and something we hope to continue for a long time to come.