Nature Connection creates an environment where children feel supported to follow their curiosity towards discovering unknown interests, developing skills, taking healthy risks and finding their own comfort and creativity in nature.

The sessions are held on two National Trust sites Nature Connection is very grateful to be given the use of. The whole group works together to gather wood and tinder for lighting a central fire, around which stories with strong morals are told and children are given a chance to share, talk, craft or help prepare and cook food. The opportunities given are adapted to the interests of the group. Learning bushcraft based skills: whittling – spoons, sticks etc, knot tying, making low rope courses, shelter building, various fire lighting methods. Alongside that, cliff path walks to forage for food or to make natural paints, printing, weaving, dreamcatchers, felting, ointments – are just some examples. All of which help to demonstrate the power of nature and the symbiotic seasonal life cycles.

Sessions also include time playing nature-based games inspired by the characteristics and calls of our local wildlife as well as calmer time at their own personally chosen ‘sit spot’ – a place to simply listen and observe the nature they are immersed in.

It is Nature Connection’s intention that through these regular experiences children will begin to form caring friendships, learn the names of the wild flowers, trees, birds and insects that live around the site and develop the respect to nurture nature and understand the benefits this can bring to their own mental health and wellbeing.