National Forest School Conference 2018 ~ Belong in this ......19.45 - 20.45 Forest School ‘Open...

p1 National Forest School Conference 2018 National Forest School Conference 2018 p1

National Forest School Conference 2018~ Belong in this Place ~

PROGRAMME& NOTEBOOK

p2 National Forest School Conference 2018

Birnbeck Insurance Services Insuring Forest Schools from as little as £168

for Trainees, Qualified Practitioners and Groups

Contact us to see how we can help you. Visit our website www.birnbeckinsurance.co.uk

Email [email protected] or phone 01934 522 252

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. No: 125599 Company registered no: 1158939 (England)

Cover can be provided

immediately ready for your 6 practical

sessions

Unpaid volunteers can be covered without the need to add Employers

Liability

Public Liability limits of £5m or

£10m

Additional activities can be written into

the policy on request, such as bushcraft, beach school and

birthday parties

Other insurance available with

Birnbeck includes Personal Accident,

Professional Indemnity, Tools & Equipment, Home, Motor and Travel


2018 CONFERENCE TIMETABLEFRIDAY16.00 Gates Open - Access to Camping Fields

18.00 The Village’ Opens - Registration + Networking. Marigold open for dinner until 10pm

19.00 Light Evening Entertainment

23.00 Bar Closes

SATURDAY

07.30 - 09.00 ‘Marigold’ is Open for Breakfast

09.30 Opening Circle - Welcoming Words from the FSA Chair

09.45 The Village’ Opens

10.00 - 13.00 The Crèche Opens

10.15 - 17.30 Jays’ and ‘Sparrows’ Workshops

10.15 - 12.15 ‘Woodpeckers’ and ‘Owls’ Workshop

12.30 - 13.30 Steve Van MatreNeither Contact, nor Connect, but Converge

12.30 - 14.00 ‘Marigold’ is Open for Lunch

14.15 - 15.15 Jon Cree & Mark LeatherWhat is Forest School’s Place in Outdoor Learning Movement


15.30 - 17.30 ‘Woodpeckers’ and ‘Owls’ Workshop

17.00 - 20.00 Bar Opens and ‘Marigold’ is Open for Dinner

18.00 - 19.30 Forest School Question Time

18.00 - 19.30 FSA Clinic - How to Become a Recognised Provider / Endorsed Trainer

19.45 - 20.45 Forest School ‘Open Mic’ Cabaret and Fancy Dress

20.45 - 21.30 ‘Wendsum’ Folk Band

21.30 - 23.00 25th Forest School Birthday Celebration with The GoodTimes Retro Disco

23.00 - Finish Acoustic Music Around the Fire - Bring your voices and instruments

SUNDAY

07.30 - 09.00 ‘Marigold’ is Open for Breakfast

08:00 - 09.00 Local Group Committee / Steering Groups Networking and Meeting

09.00 Opening Circle

09.30 - 10.15 Dr Rachel Bragg - Why connection to nature is crucial in outdoor learning


09.30 - 12.30 ‘Jays’ and ‘Sparrows’ Workshops

10.30 - 12.30 Woodpeckers’ and ‘Owls’ Workshop

12.30 - 14.00 Marigold’ is Open for Lunch plus book signings in the Oak marquee

12.45 - 13.45 The big debate- Leave the past at the doorstep into the future

14.15 Closing Ceremony - Closing Words from the FSA Chair

16.00 Festival Close

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AM

– 1

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pm –

1.3

0pm

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turd

ay P

M -

2.15

pm –

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Dr R

ache

l Bra

gg –

“Why

con

nect

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to n

atur

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cru

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in o

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the

scie

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nd th

e pr

actic

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Sund

ay A

M -

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0am

- 10.

15pm

Star

ling

deba

te

The

big

deba

te- L

eave

the

past

at t

he d

oor -

step

into

the

futu

re…

. Su

nday

12.

45pm

– 1

.45p

m @

OAK


To facilitate a love for the earth, first you too must love the earth

‘Recognise, Reciprocate & Regenerate - A holistic journey to nature connection’

Back in the late Summer of 2017 a seed began to sprout in a café in Norfolk. The idea to create a place

to come together with our families, to celebrate and strengthen our community of nature loving, fun creating, Forest School facilitators. A weekend crafted for us to reconnect to nature and question ways of developing deeper connection for the children, young people and adults who attend forest school to the earth and all that lives on it. The trees, plants, animals, birds, insects, fungus, bacteria and humans

The Belong in this Place seed was planted and with the nurture of a few it blossomed into a fully-fledged Forest School Festival.

Here we are - Welcome to beautiful Bradmoor Woods, full of Forest School creativity, a few quirky structures, marvellous meadows and stunning woodland.

The festival will guide us on the paths of the Head, the Heart and the Hands, with opportunities to Recognise, Reciprocate and Regenerate.

Recognise (Head) will address our need for information and understanding, cognitively learning about ecology in creative ways, this can include this can include a range of walks, talks and activities

Reciprocate (Heart) will guide us on our emotional connection to nature and each other through activities that support community and solitude, with nature holding the space.

Regenerate (Hands) will give us ways of taking forward the knowledge and skills we have gained and use it to take action in our own lives and Forest School practice to deepen our own connection with nature and to support others along the same path.

The weekend is designed to be Holistic in its approach, and will offer a range of activities and workshops that will include


Inquisitive Sparrows – guided and self guided Nature Connection activities for all the family

Gathering Jays - practical hands on sessions – to gather ideas and crafts to take back to your forest school.

Wise Owls – ecologically focused workshops, walks and talks -a place to delve deeply , for those whose appreciation for the natural world has developed into a thirst to know all the details of the what’s, how’s and whys.

Intent Woodpeckers – workshops for practitioners who want to drill down to the core of Forest School philosophy, exploring new opportunities and deepening practice

Articulate Rooks –The Speakers – A range of speakers discussing a range of approaches, research and ideas.

Chattering Starlings – debates and conversations planned and spontaneous on Forest School issues.

Practitioner only sessions Intent Woodpeckers, Articulate Rooks & Chattering Starlings

Open to all Inquisitive Sparrows & Wise Owls

Open to all but some directed at Forest school facilitation (see information in the info tent) - Gathering Jays

Each day will start after breakfast and an opening circle- a time to come together as a community, share information, ideas and nature wonder. This will be followed by talks, workshops, drumming, and storytelling as village life awakens.

As we head towards the end of the afternoon the Elm Tree Bar will open, Marigold café will serve food, we will debate, reflect, perform cabaret , network, listen to music, dance to tunes from the

Goodtimes Retro Disco while we celebrate the 25th year of Forest School.

Not forgetting the Saturday night woodland themed fancy dress competition!

We are encouraging all to be mindful of our impact on nature during the course of this event and are aiming to have a minimal impact as possible. This forms part of the ‘regenerate’ aspect of the festival theme. To support this aim;

• The festival will be powered by solar energy

• The amazing Marigold Café will be catering vegetarian over the weekend

• We have asked everyone to bring their own eating equipment to minimise waste

• All our waste will be recycled

As forest school facilitators we are in the most important of positions. The position of modelling how to tread lightly, how to communicate, how to show that “all living things on the earth are connected” and most importantly how to take care of and walk beside all that travels on the earth with us. We hope that you take away more than just fabulous new skills and understanding to try at Forest school, we hope you take away a deeper connection to nature, each other and yourself.

If any questions are not answered within this booklet, come and see the information trolls in the information tent at the Marigolds café marquee.

Enjoy the weekend!

Love, the working group.

To inspire first you must be inspired.

To facilitate a love for the earth, first you too must love the earth. n


FSA

Nat

iona

l Con

fere

nce

2018

SIT

E M

AP


Marigold CateringMarigold catering provides a funky, festival style canteen for your event. Our food is home cooked, tasty & hearty, using good quality ingredients that are local and seasonal where possible. Vegetarian and vegan crowd pleasers are our speciality. We look forward to serving you some delicious food! Email: [email protected]

Catering

WELCOME from Lily Horseman - FSA ChairI would love to echo the welcomes from the working group and extend my thanks to them for all their hard work and creativity in bringing this event together.

The use of ‘re’ words has long fascinated me and to see how the conference working group have used them to help frame the thinking around this event. As a prefix to a word it brings a meaning of ‘again’ or ‘again and again’. To come back together with Forest School practitioners to play, to reflect and learn together again is one of my biggest joys in these events. For each of us, so used to emptying our cup of inspiration for others, this represents a chance to refill it again. Being in this stunning location also serves to remind us of the importance of the natural environment to the work we do and how the relationship that we create with it is so vital for us and for the people we are with. For me personally, having Steve Van Matre here also marks a return to my roots of nature connection. My mum had one of his books when I was a child and in some of my own play memories I recognise the influence that he (and my mum) brought to my early connection with nature. It was also one of the books (nicked from my mum’s bookcase) that also guided me on my first steps into my own journey into thinking about how I work in nature. Seeing how these themes, ideas and inspiration come round again and again is one of reasons why I find so much richness in the Forest School ethos. Whenever I return to reflect on the ethos I find new layers of understanding.

It gives me such pleasure to spend this time with you all again. I can’t wait to see what the weekend holds.

Lily Horseman, FSA Chair


ENTERTAINMENT & OTHER HAPPENINGS - It’s not all work, work, work!

Opening Circle. Each morning we will gather as a community to connect with nature, each other and ourselves. A chance to recognise, reciprocate & regenerate!

Happy Birthday Forest School! This year Forest School is 25 years old in the UK! So we’re having a party on the Saturday night. Expect a cheesy disco, fancy dress and party games!

Live Music. Music Saturday night includes- Wendsum https://wendsum.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/wendsum/

Open Mic Cabaret. All the world’s a stage…. So sign up to share your talents (everyone has at least one!) on Saturday evening – whatever they may be! Do it as a group, duet or solo! Music,

poetry, comedy, circus skills, interpretive dance… just remember children will be present!

Bar. The Roundhouse bar will be open in the evenings, stocked with local tipples. You can bring your own refreshments if you prefer but please don’t bring glass on site.

Raffle. We’ll be having a fundraising raffle over the weekend – buy your tickets at the event to win some groovy Forest School prizes! ‘We are looking for donations as raffle prizes - do you have

some spare kit, books or handmade items (whittled spoons, baskets, hedgerow jams etc!) that you could bring to the event that would make a nice prize?

Merchandise . We will have an online shop selling festival T-shirts and bags before the festival. Buy yours to show it off at the event. Check the latest Facebook posts and FSA website

for details. https://forestschoolassociation.teemill.com/

Retro-Disco. It sounds too good to be true...but it is true! ‘GoodTimes Retro Disco’ and DJ Thyroid will be ensuring we get our groove on.

Website: https://m.facebook.com/DJThyroid

Campfire Banter. The site will have 2 campfire areas for us to gather round, to talk, share, tell stories, laugh and maybe even sing a tune!?

Explore Beautiful Surroundings. The event is set in acres of

wonderful woodland to explore, climb trees, build dens. There is even a river and the edge of the site if you fancy a walk and a paddle!

Impromptu Happenings. You never know what might happen if you go down to the woods….


ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION

FIRST AIDThere are a number of qualified 1st aiders on site, including volunteers and workshop

leaders. They can be identified by wearing a red ribbon. A trained first aider and first aid kit will always be available at the information point, located near Marigolds Cafe.

LOST CHILD Please come to the information point if you lose a child or gain an unexpected one!

CRECHEThe creche will be open for children 3 years and over each day for 3 hour sessions that correspond with the practitioner-only parts of the festival. The creche is located in the

woodlands behind the roundhouse. Please ensure you sign your child/ren in with one of our ‘Creche Hobbit’ volunteers before leaving them.

WATERAll water on site is drinking water. There are standpipes by the entrance to the festival field,

by the gate behind Marigolds Cafe and the at loo/shower block.

WASTEWe are trying to make our event as minimal waste as possible. Please either take your waste home with you or use the recycling bins provided. Please do not bring glass onto the festival

field (OK in camping field).

EATING EQUIPMENTIf you have purchased a ‘squirrel’ catered ticket and will be eating the yummy food provided by Marigolds Cafe, please ensure you bring eating equipment with you during mealtimes. As part of our waste reduction we are trying not to use single-use mealware & utensils. There

are sinks and washing up equipment available near the cafe.

FIRESThere are 2 large fire areas - one near the round house in the festival field and the other

in the glade (where hammocks and bivi camping is). Please be aware there may also be smaller fires that are tended by workshop leaders/ trade stands. Please ensure your

children are accompanied around these zones. Please do not light any other fires in the area (including camp field).


Steve Van Matre - Neither Contact, nor Connect, but Converge “finding our way back to the heart of nature”

What happened to the environmental movement, the largest mass movement in history? Today, we find ourselves living on an ecologically dying planet. And it is not the carbon footprint but the human footprint that is the problem. How can we see nature as our place in space, not our space in place? We have to take root in nature again as a way of living. We have become the cogs in a broken political system, broken economic system, broken social system, and broken educational system, but we don’t have to remain a cog. We can break the machine. The earth as we know it doesn’t have much time left. Let’s celebrate a renewed commitment to our role as change agents.

Professor Steve Van Matre is an American environmental activist, author and educator. He is the founding director of the Institute of Earth Education (IEE).

Earth Education is… the process of helping people to live more harmoniously with the natural world by…• Understanding how ecosystems work• Developing a long lasting love and respect for the Earth and its life-forms• Reducing their own impact on its natural resources

Steve will also be running a 1 day Earthwalks Leadership workshop on the Friday before the conference (5th October) - www.forestschoolassociation.org/booking-steve-van-matre-earthwalks-leadership-workshop-

friday-5th-october-2018/Websites: www.ieetree.org www.earthed.org.uk

Articulate RooksThe Speakers, discussing a range of topical approaches, research and ideas. For Practitioners only.

Workshops, Speakers and Facilitators



Dr Rachel Bragg – “Why connection to nature is crucial in outdoor learning – the science behind the practice”

I will explain what nature connection is, and explain how the science of nature connection fits with Forest School practice and how it is crucial to engender this connection for children’s learning, development and wellbeing. Dr Rachel Bragg is Development Coordinator for the charity Social Farms & Gardens (formerly Care Farming UK) which promotes care farming and provides supporting services to the 250 care farms in the UK. Rachel has been actively involved in the development of the UK care farming sector for over 12 years and is a passionate advocate of green care – ‘nature-based treatment interventions for people with a defined need’. Rachel remains a Visiting Fellow at the University of Essex, where she was a senior researcher for 17 years - with research interests including the relationship between nature, human health and mental wellbeing, specifically ‘green exercise’, ‘green care’; connection to nature in adults and children; care farming; and sustainable agriculture. Rachel is well known for her Participatory Appraisal and Action Research training; questionnaire and fieldwork design; she is considered an expert in the evaluation of nature based green care interventions; and is also research advisor for other charities.Websites: www.carefarminguk.org www.greenexercise.org/

Jon Cree & Mark Leather – “What is Forest School’s PLACE in the outdoor learning movement – how do we weave and separate our practise – & should we?”

Mark Leather Known by many for his ‘Critique of Forest School- Something lost in Translation’ , Mark has been educating people outdoors, formally and informally, for most of his adult life. He currently is the programme leader for Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education at Plymouth Marjon University where he teaches on a range of post-graduate and under-graduate programmes that utilise outdoor and experiential pedagogies. Before this he worked in a variety of settings; residential outdoor centres, American summer camps, was involved with the Scout movement and taught science in a state secondary school in rural East Devon. Mark is fortunate to work with some excellent, experienced and passionate colleagues in Plymouth, as well as those involved in National, European and International educational networks. Given the chance you will find him connecting to others, the more-than-human and the planet, under open skies in blue and/or green spaces.Follow him on Twitter - @MarkFLeather Jon Cree has been involved with Forest School in Worcestershire and at a national level since 1999, as a practitioner, trainer and FSA director. He loves connecting folks to woods through story and any hand tool he can get his hands on. He has also been an earth education trainer for longer than he can remember. His passion, when not playing in the woods, is paddling canoes in the rivers of the borders and more recently Canada!Website: www.field-studies-council.org/bishopswood



Marina Robb – ‘Nature Pedagogy: Deep Nature Connection, Nature-centric Models and Forest School Practice.’

We will explore the differences between nature connection, nature information, nature recreation and deep nature connection.

The workshop will introduce nature-centric models that draw on universal teachings from around the world and place humans within living natural systems.

Key nature-centric wheels include the basic sun, plant, human cycles alongside nature learning models and ‘attributes’ based on Joseph Cornell, Jon Young,

Glennie Kindred and traditional indigenous knowledge.

Marina Robb is founder and Managing Director of Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC, a leading outdoor learning organisation. She is Author of ‘Learning with Nature’, considered a must-have book for Forest School & Outdoor practitioners. A qualified teacher (PGCE), Marina has studied Environmental Education (MA), Environmental Management (BSc) and Social Research (MSc) since 1990. She is a leading Forest School trainer and practitioner (UK and International) and shares her knowledge and experience through training teachers and individuals who want to work outside the classroom. She has spent over 30 years within this field developing accessible nature-centric experiences, models and tools to support a more healthy and happy society and environment.Marina’s approach brings together best practice from environmental education, Forest School, play work, eco-psychology, health and wellbeing practices, indigenous wisdom and many years of working with young people and adults of all ages and backgrounds, to create unique and profound learning experiences. As a parent, trainer and workshop facilitator for young people, she supports people find their passion and potential, experience a sense of belonging and discover healthy pathways to across the life stages.Website: www.circleofliferediscovery.com

Intent WoodpeckersWorkshops for Practitioners who want to drill down to the core of Forest School philosophy, exploring new opportunities & deepen-ing practice. For Practitioners only. Each workshop is 2 hours long and some will be repeated. Practitioners can book their workshops at the beginning of the festival.



Lily Horseman – ‘Biophilia and our 9 connections with nature’

This workshop will be a playful hands on examination of the ways in which our different feelings and reactions to nature impact on our relationships to it. We’ll look at what those different relationships are and experience that connection with nature for ourselves as well as getting to grips with a bit of theory as we wander through Kellert’s expressions of biophilia. This will help us reflect on our relationship with nature in our sessions and how the response of the children we work with is guided by their experiences of the different expressions of our connection to nature.

Lily is a Forest School practitioner, trainer and chair of the FSA. She loves to play in nature, exploring theories and practice in parallel. Her workshop will be a mix of the playful, creative, reflective and immersive.

Website: www.kindlingplayandtraining.co.uk

Jon Cree - Ecological concepts and Forest School practise

How do we incorporate ecological concepts such as energy flow and cycling of materials (soil, air and water) into our forest school programmes to give a deeper understanding of ecological systems and still keep the FS learner directed focus?? This workshop will explore ways of helping learners making meaning of key ecological principles in informal and fun ways – looking at the distinctions between a leader led approach as is employed by earth education and the more community lead ways in Forest School…can we combine the two and keep the informal learner focus?

Jon has been involved with Forest School in Worcestershire and at a national level since 1999, as a practitioner, trainer and FSA director. He loves connecting folks to woods through story and any hand tool he can get his hands on. He has also been an earth education trainer for longer than he can remember. His passion, when not playing in the woods, is paddling canoes in the rivers of the borders and more recently Canada!

Website: www.field-studies-council.org/bishopswood



Georgiana Keable - ‘You are a Natural Storyteller’

To guide you in the telling of a short tale to open emotional engagement with the living world. A story that can also help to recognise species and to develop the will and knowledge to assist natural regeneration.

Our indigenous ancestors used stories to pass on practical knowledge, intuition and respect for the living world. Georgiana has over 30 years of experience as a storyteller with this theme and is convinced that we all have the ability to share these stories.

The exercises and games that we use to work on the stories can be used directly with groups of children in the forest and in the classroom, to develop them as Natural Storytellers. In addition, we will explore what it means to share a tale outside, which is more challenging but can be more powerful than to tell indoors.

Georgiana Keable is a pioneer for storytelling in nature in the UK and Norway. By the Viking mound in the South of Norway she leads a botanical story adventure, prompting 12-year-olds to spontaneously hug trees and learn which species surround them. Each year she takes a thousand teenagers up the Norwegian Pilgrims way. In the remote Lofoten Islands, collecting stories by day and sleeping in a hammock by night, she discovered that every single stranger had a tale of connection between nature and humans. Georgiana founded ‘Fortellerhuset’ (The Storytelling House) with storytellers from four continents and The Norwegian Storytelling Festival.

She has told at festivals worldwide and recently published ‘The Natural Storyteller’, which won 1st prize on the Purple Dragonfly children’s book awards as best Green book.

Website: www.georgiana.net



Michael James - Sensory Processing Differences and Forest School

A workshop to discuss how Forest school can benefit people who experience differences in sensory processing. The workshop will be a mixture of discussion and practical hands on activities.

Understanding differences in sensory processing is central to understanding the needs of autistic learners but is also relevant for all participants in Forest School.

Topics covered will include:• Sensory awareness at Forest School• How our senses channel our experience of the world.• How differences in sensory processing can affect people.• How to incorporate an awareness of sensory processing differences into inclusive Forest School

practice.• Using sensory differences to engage and include.• Sensory diets and how Forest School can help.• Sensory Profiles and how to make sensory observations• Learning how to recognise and respond to sensory overload.

Forest school is an ideal environment to observe, assess and meet a persons individual sensory needs. The lessons which we learn about someone in the woods can make a great contribution towards holistically developing the accommodations required in other settings, and challenging assumptions which may be holding them back.

Michael is a level 3 Forest School practitioner specialising in providing sessions for adults with ASD. I’m also the author of “Forest School and Autism”.. I have taken a presentation about Forest School to the XI Autism Europe International Congress and my work was recognised with a finalists place in the Autism category at the 2015 Laing Buisson Awards. I’m also the father of two children who like to take the mickey out of me and the owner of an elderly incontinent lurcher.


Rachel Summers – ‘Spirituality in Forest School’

• Sliding scale of spirituality in different contexts.• What do we think of when we think of spirituality? What pictures do we have of

what it looks like? What place might spirituality have in forest school?• Flow = play, but also flow = spirit. Play as a holy act, something deeply human, for

people with a faith, it’s important to allow their forest school experience to be part of their faith and for the two to be in some kind of theological dialogue.

• How can we be respectful of each other’s beliefs? (Respect being a key part of forest school after all.)

• If forest school is a holistic journey, for many people part of the joy of being in nature is some sense of spiritual connection.

• Doing Spirituality- what might it look like in practice? • When might it be appropriate/inappropriate?

• Trying it out- forest school with an emphasis on spiritual reflection.• Who does this exclude? How do we deal with this?

Rachel runs forest school sessions in east London, for schools, nurseries, and families. I am also a lay pioneer in the Church of England, hosting forest church locally. This is not church-done-outside, but seeks to provide people with an opportunity to explore a spiritual connection through nature. It is very much influenced by my forest school practice, as is a space to explore and discover on their own terms. I’ve written two books- Wild Lent and Wild Advent- where reflecting on the natural world is used to explore issues of faith and spirituality. I’ve spoken about my forest school and forest church at the Bradwell Gathering in Essex, and Greenbelt Festival in Kettering, and also on Songs of Praise back in February this year.

Website: www.curiouswilds.co.uk




Sarah Lawfull - ‘Time and Space to Think’

Thinking together around the profound power of the practitioner listening attentively - generative listening - rather than speaking, resisting the temptation to ask questions or to interrupt, giving participants the rare opportunity to think for themselves. We will ask ourselves, “What is the purpose of our talk?”and why do we feel the need to give advice, criticism, ideas to others. We will practice some simple techniques together, that have the potential to unlock the thinking of those we work alongside, building connections, creating a safe, nurturing community. This will be bringing my coaching work and my Forest School practice together; looking at how Forest School has the potential to be a rich ‘thinking environment’ and a place of deep connection.

Recently described by a colleague as being someone ‘with leaves in her hair and wood in her veins’, Sarah is an experienced Primary and Early Years teacher, Forest School trainer and lifelong lover of trees.Her daughters have grown up with trips to the woods, camping holidays, hunting for mini beasts and plenty of mud. She is now enjoying the delights of grandparenthood whilst sharing her enthusiasm for learning through nature with people of all ages.Prior to setting up Where The Fruit Is, Sarah was part of the Oxfordshire Forest School Service and the Oxfordshire Early Years Team. Latterly she was a Programme Tutor and lead Forest School Trainer at Hill End Centre. Sarah has supported many settings to bring the transformative, holistic approach of Forest School to their learners.As a member of the GB Forest School Trainer’s Network and qualifications working group Sarah was involved in the revision of the OCNWM suite of Forest School qualifications and has become one of the first trainers to be endorsed by the Forest School Association.In January 2018 Sarah became a Director of the FSA and is committed to promoting and supporting Forest School locally and nationally.Her voluntary work with teenagers in church youth groups over the last thirty years, coupled with her experience of leading long term Forest School programmes with young people on the Autism Spectrum, convinced her that nature connection and a sense of belonging are needed to stem the tide of isolation, self harm, and hopelessness affecting a rising number of teenagers.

Website: www.wherethefruitis.co.uk



Coralie Hopwood - The John Muir Award as a tool for meaningful nature connection

A workshop to explore the Four Challenges which make up the John Muir Award and link these to the central Award ethos of Hand, Heart and Head learning. We’ll share in a short Muir Mission around the site, focusing on how to enable our participants to engage with their surroundings in different ways, enabling them to

examine and value their own relationship with the natural environment.

Coralie is the Inclusion Manager for the John Muir Award in England, supporting organisations and individuals to use the John Muir Award scheme. Coralie has worked in community mental health, social forestry, care farming, community growing and Forest School delivery and training for the last 20 years.

Website: www.johnmuiraward.org

Joanna Shelton - Compassionate Selves

A session for individuals to explore self-compassion and their own wellbeing through mindfulness, and their relationship to the woodland.

Qualifications – BSc (Psychology), MSc (conservation), PGCE (science), PGCE (higher education), MSc Education, Mindfulness teacher (via Bangor University), Paws B teacher with Mindfulness in Schools. I am due to start a PhD in September looking at Wellbeing and wildlife – exploring the neuropsychology of being outdoors and Attention restoration theory.

I have been an outdoor and environmental educator for over 15 years managing an environmental centre for 11 years, working in museums, for the Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and lecturing at universities before setting up a small business as a consultant and deliverer of outdoor learning and wellbeing. I trained as a forest school leader in 2005 and have been delivering forest school training since 2009. ial forestry, care farming, community growing and Forest School delivery and training for the last 20 years.

Website: www.fireandair.org



Eloise Wilkinson – Sit spots: The Transformative power of just being in nature

“Nature holds the space, and so we find our place within nature with ease. Lives for all ages are becoming increasingly busy and allowing ourselves time to simply sit and be is rare. Yet something happens when we stop and something else happens when we do that in nature. In this workshop we will explore the relationship we have with ourselves, sometimes the relationship that is the most forgotten, with the gift of awe and wonder that nature offers helping us bring awareness to that relationship.I began experiencing magic spots within an Earth Education Program called ‘Earth Keepers’ where children were using journals to record how they felt. Time and time again the children spoke of the profound effect these handful of minutes each day had on their connection to the stillness inside and outside themselves, A sit spot or Magic spot is a time to connect to the ‘whole’ in silence. Simply staying there a while, surrendering to how you are feeling and where you are feeling in your body is significant. It may be up a tree, in a hammock, lying on your back, it is your time in your spot, in comfort. This workshop will draw upon the research of Rev Dr Walton and my own Forest School and Earth Education practice. It will focus on how we can hold the space for children, young people and adults with nature creating presence, enabling deeper connection.”

Currently Forest school tutor and Environmental team leader/nature connection facilitator at the Greenlight trust charity. Working in the outdoors with children, young people and adults for the last 7 years. Passionate about how the art of real person led facilitation can create unforgettable moments of connection with others everyday , overcoming, inspiring and progressing. Facilitating in nature is a never ending journey where you are constantly learning and discovering about yourself, about others and about this incredible, majestically natural world we live in”

Website: www.greenlighttrust.org



Natalie Ganpatsingh - Harnessing the evidence to strengthen practice

“Philosopher, artist and Forest School Leader on a mission to connect urban communities with the nature on their doorstep.

Natalie believes that connecting people with the wild spaces within our towns and cities is crucial to building strong, happy, healthy communities who care about each other and the environment. Her award-winning social enterprise, Nature Nurture CIC collaborates with the conservation, heritage, health and education sectors to achieve positive outcomes for people and the planet. She also works as ‘Nature Lead’ for Dr. William Bird’s company, Intelligent Health, helping to re-

wild communities across the UK and is currently designing a ‘Go Wild’ Toolkit for a Sport England funded programme. In 2016 Nature Nurture achieved a Pride of Reading Award in recognition of their success in engaging people with nature. In 2018 Nature Nurture featured as a Case Study for the Annual Report for Public Health Berkshire.

“As Forest School practitioners, we all experience first-hand the value of our workshops in terms of supporting the emotional wellbeing of participants and strengthening communities. However, sometimes it can be hard for us to articulate these incredible benefits to our schools, families and any other client groups and organisations who may be able to fund and promote our work. In this workshop, Natalie will present the robust evidence base that we can all use to advocate our work. She will work with you to explore your challenges and how you can use this evidence base to write powerful funding proposals and forge partnerships to strengthen your practice. We’ll also explore how we can evaluate the impact of our practice. From the Biophilia Hypothesis to improved cognitive functioning to nature as a stress-buffer that can build resilience, this workshop aims to help harness the power of the growing evidence base to maximise the value of what you do and strengthen your practice.”



Mel McCree – Circles of Support: Connecting and growing our network of allies for better forest school and happier participants

This session is a hands-on exploration of each practitioner’s circle of support in their local area, equipping us with a better sense of where and how we are located and who we can draw on as allies. Within the workshop we will consider our personal networks and problem-solve local challenges and personal barriers to reaching out, finding support and developing our work. We will each create a map of our support network and an action plan to improve it.

Marketing and self-promotion don’t always come easily to us practitioners. Often, support on the ground is hard to find too and it can feel like we are a lone voice in the wilderness. Support from other practitioners is welcome, yet who do we know in our local area where a stronger relationship would bring mutual benefit? For some of us, it may be colleagues in a setting, for others, it may be other local service providers, landowners, councilors, informal parent networks etc.

The rationale is grounded and motivated academic research (McCree, 2014) that shows how practitioners are often isolated, yet they and their practice flourishes when supported in their communities. Equally, children / participants are better able to access land and outdoor opportunities when a culture is shared and co-created between forest school and other local provision (McCree et al, 2018). From a multi-species perspective, habitats and wildlife corridors are also supported by this systemic culture change.

Clearly there are advantages to us all in growing friends and influencing people. Come along and take a practical look at how you can more deeply, satisfyingly and successfully ‘be in your place’ in connection with others. Prepare to leave inspired and motivated to strengthen your circle of support.

Website: www.freerangecreativity.org



Mark Clarke - Crafts, Games & Toys to Make & Play

Drop in, hands-on sessions:• 101 Wood Cookie Recipes• It’s not a Stick

Mark has worked predominantly with children both in formal education as a qualified teacher and in alternative education for over 25 years. He is a Forest School Advocate and runs Forest School inspired sessions as part of his creative business, Creativity, Design and Production in his local community and around the country. He is a Furniture Maker with specific interest in Green Woodworking, Artist and Craftsman focusing more and more on community, environment and natural issues. His motto and passion is to “make learning fun”. Website: www.facebook.com/CreativityDesignandProduction

Gathering JaysPractical, hands on workshops to gather ideas and crafts to take home. Open to all festival attendees. Some Workshops will be drop in, others timed.

Carol Middleton - Taking a Rope for a Walk – using rope as a primary resource

There is a trend for taking minimal equipment into the woods. This workshop explores the range of playful activity that uses only a couple of ropes and the natural resources of the woodland. It’s a great workshop for building confidence in your own abilities and for listening to children- includes construction of rope swings and rope bridges for playing on.

Carol Middleton is a qualified teacher, Early Years Professional and Forest School Leader, with over twenty years of experience working with people of all ages. She understands international best practice and pedagogy having been involved in education study trips to Reggio Emilia in Italy, Forest schools in Denmark and working with colleagues from traditional cultures in America. Her inspiration comes from the wide skies and mud flats of Essex where she lives in a small costal town with her family. Being outside is as vital as breathing! She is a co-founder of huathe - and as well as continuing to run family camps and Forest school sessions with all ages- she is an FSA endorsed Forest School Trainer, inspiring others to go out and get people into nature. Her latest training programmes have been innovative co operations between huathe and Suffolk wildlife trusts and Danbury Outdoors in the UK and with Hooson preschool in Guang Xi, China.

Carol facilitates outdoor play and nature connection in the UK alongside part time lecturing at UCC Essex, speaking at conferences and is just completing some research developing a rating scale to help the sceptics understand why children learn better outdoors. Website: www.huathe.org

• Crazy Golf• Illuminating Crafts



Elizabeth Swift - Singing from the heart: singing and creative voice at Forest School

Elizabeth Swift grew up on the beaches and mud flats of Suffolk – with broad open skies and grey seas. She is a Forest School leader and trainer, a teacher and an early years consultant and she divides her working time between training Forest School leaders, lecturing on early years degree courses and singing with people outdoors. In 2011, she set up huathe with Carol Middleton to help reconnect adults and children to nature, to each other and to themselves.

huathe draws on first hand international teaching in nature connection combined with a deep understanding of child development and group dynamics. Elizabeth enjoys the local (working outdoors children under 5 and their carers); the national (delivering training and CPD across East Anglia and the South East); and the international (speaking at conferences and training Forest School leaders across China.

She is inspired equally by a love of the outdoors, the child led parenting ethos of land connected, indigenous cultures, the teaching of Jon Young, the research of Penny Greenland, and the writing of Jay Griffiths. Her main interests are in children’s holistic development through play and the positive effects of nature connection. Her outdoor singing groups, FireChoir, are about people connecting to nature, to each other and to themselves. Her MA, and subsequent research projects, explored traditional and innovative attitudes to children’s learning and children’s instinctive play and development. Website: www.huathe.org www.firechoir.org.uk n

Tim Evans - Making and playing “The Viking Game”

We will have a timed sessions for making Viking game pieces – approx. 16 people for about an hour. Followed by drop in sessions to play the game using the pieces made earlier in making workshop – up to 8 players at a time, game lasts between 10 and 20 minutes on average.

I worked as a primary school teacher for 15 years. I have been a Forest School Leader for the last 8 years, and more recently a Coastal school leader, working with children and adults of all ages. I was also a Woodcraft Folk Leader for several years. I learned how to play a version of the Viking Game whilst visiting family in Denmark and I have made my own pieces to play the game from coppiced hazel, birch and willow. Website: www.greenleafforestschool.wordpress.com


Vicky Eyles – Woodland Wanderer Woods & Stories & Woodland Wanderer Crafts & Creations

These wandering workshops encourage people to look at the woods in a different way. We will be walking through the trees in search of items to make crafts with, or

for inspiration for creating stories and poems.

People can choose to take their made items home, or they can leave them to create a natural gallery for others to visit.

The words we weave together will be collected and shared back at the main site for all to enjoy.

Vicky grew up exploring the forests and Brecklands of Norfolk. She studied BSc (Hons) Zoology before exploring the world of outdoor education. After university, she travelled the UK working with children in different outdoor settings, from marshy Broadland to rocky coasts, wild woods to urban parks. During this time, she discovered the magic of Forest School and completed her Level 1 and 3 training. A year out to study MSc Outdoor and Adventurous Activities saw her undertake a research project investigating experience and opinions of learners during a Forest School programme, utilising the voice of the child as the expert.

Vicky is a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner and a GNAS Archery Leader. She loves learning new primitive and bushcraft skills and is excited by nature in any form. Her passion is sharing the natural world with children and she has run her own Forest School and outdoor education business, Wild4, for 5 years. She believes that every should go on adventures, especially from an early age, even if that adventure is as small as hunting woodlice in your garden. Website: www.wild4.co.uk




Joanna Shelton – Mindful Families

A session for parent and child (works best one child to one parent), which looks at fun, interactive ways to slow down and explore both children and adult approaches to mindfulness, and explains it in a child-friendly way. Using aspects of the woodland environment this aims for people to connect with each other, the environment and themselves.

Qualifications – BSc (Psychology), MSc (conservation), PGCE (science), PGCE (higher education), MSc Education, Mindfulness teacher (via Bangor University), Paws B teacher with Mindfulness in Schools. I am due to start a PhD in September looking at Wellbeing and wildlife – exploring the neuropsychology of being outdoors and Attention restoration theory.

I have been an outdoor and environmental educator for over 15 years managing an environmental centre for 11 years, working in museums, for the Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and lecturing at universities before setting up a small business as a consultant and deliverer of outdoor learning and wellbeing. I trained as a forest school leader in 2005 and have been delivering forest school training since 2009. Website: www.fireandair.org

Wise OwlsEcologically focused workshops, walks and talks -a place to delve deeply, for those whose appreciation for the natural world has developed into a thirst to know all the details of the what’s, how’s and whys. These timed workshops are open to all.

Rob Coleman – Fungi Foray & Identification

Mushrooms and toadstools provide a fascination for many, but the sheer diversity of species makes them a tricky group to identify with confidence. This workshop will provide a structured introduction to fungi identification. We will go on a ‘foray’ to collect a representative sample of species and then have a go at identifying them using field guides. N.B. This workshop is not primarily aimed at foragers/chefs – we will consider edibility, but not as the primary focus.

Rob is an ecologist and outdoor learning practitioner. Working as an education officer for the National Trust he gets to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for nature for anyone who will listen!

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park



Jasper Kemp - Opening the eye of the Tracker

We will be looking at how to open the eye of the tracker through questioning, drawing, journaling, dirt time and reflection.

The workshop will discuss how we can expedite our dirt time and then we will look at ways we can change up our vision and awareness both physically and mentally. We’ll then get looking at tracks in the woodland and surrounding area. We will also look at how understanding natural histories can help our tracking.

Raised in the meadows of Suffolk, I have been studying and teaching tracking and primitive technology for 8 years. My academic training in zoology and plant science complement my holistic view towards the art and science of tracking. I am at my happiest with an ID guide and a natural mystery to solve.


Ashley Parfitt – Hands on nature connection through safe and responsible insect handling

A guided tour with stop off points at different habitats/areas of interest to look and hunt for invertebrates; methodology given on different ‘bug hunting’ techniques including sweep netting, leaf sieving, tree beating, pitfall trapping.

Advice given on identifying invertebrates/insects as well as where to find different species and their ecology. Learning key invertebrate characteristics for identification.

Ashley has a passion for the smaller things in life; insects, arachnids & creepy crawlies. Studied Countryside Management at Aberystwyth University and now works for Green Light Trust




Nathalie Chidley – Herb Walks

“Personal plant introductions will include very basic botany & recognition pointers. Plant tasting, a discussion of taste indicating constituents. A discussion (I have no doubt) of how to risk assess foraging/broad guidelines. Plant uses both acute & chronic, in various forms: fresh as poultices, teas, food; prepared as oils, vinegars, tinctures. Plant stories including some folklore, anecdotes. Tea preparation & tasting”

Began to study herbal medicine aged 19 at evening school with the highly respected herbalist, Christopher Hedley. Qualified BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine in 2000 after 4 years of formal study. Worked in the Middlesex training clinic in London for 11 years.Now practising as herbalist in Beccles.Began helping out at FS 2 years ago, finishing up L3 training currently.

Website: www.manorhousepractice.co.uk

Lusi Alderslowe – Introduction to Permaculture

Engaging Children in PermacultureWe will explore how permaculture can help Forest School practitioners to deepen their practice, using the permaculture principles and the ethics, of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. We will use some of the Children in Permaculture resources, such as the 900 activities which are searchable for ways to engage all the senses (eyes), hand, heart and head.

Forest gardening in your school groundsFind out how to manage your school grounds for minimum input, maximum effect. We will explore the concept of forest gardens and how they can be wonderful places for many ways of learning outdoors. We will learn about designing, managing and maintaining a forest garden in your school grounds.

Lusi Alderslowe, author of the new book ‘Earth care, People care and Fair share in Education: the Children in Permaculture Manual’, has been engaging children in permaculture in woodlands, parks, allotments, schools, community gardens and other places for over 13 years. As an international permaculture diploma tutor and teacher, she has students around Europe. Lusi co-founded and led a unique outdoor playgroup and an after-school Forest Schools group. She is a mother of two, a Forest School Leader, a human ecologists, and co-founder and coordinator of the Children in Permaculture European project for the Permaculture Association and Gatehouse of Fleet Primary School. Website: Childreninpermaculture.com www.permaculture.org.uk


Vicky Eyles Woodland Wanderer – Self Guided Trails

Drop in. Collect a laminated instruction sheet and go on a self-guided trail to discover or create something incredible.

• Self-guided cobweb weaving (collaborative art)• Self-guided mandala creation (collaborative art)• Self-guided tree dressing (collaborative art) • Self-guided nature scavenger hunt• Self-guided nature number hunt

Vicky grew up exploring the forests and Brecklands of Norfolk. She studied BSc (Hons) Zoology before exploring the world of outdoor education. After university, she travelled the UK working with children in different outdoor settings, from marshy Broadland to rocky coasts, wild woods to urban parks. During this time, she discovered the magic of Forest School and completed her Level 1 and 3 training. A year out to study MSc Outdoor and Adventurous Activities saw her undertake a research project investigating experience and opinions of learners during a Forest School programme, utilising the voice of the child as the expert.

Vicky is a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner and a GNAS Archery Leader. She loves learning new primitive and bushcraft skills and is excited by nature in any form. Her passion is sharing the natural world with children and she has run her own Forest School and outdoor education business, Wild4, for 5 years. She believes that every should go on adventures, especially from an early age, even if that adventure is as small as hunting woodlice in your garden. Website: www.wild4.co.uk


Inquisitive SparrowsGuided and self guided Nature Connection & outdoor activities for all the family. Some activities are timed sessions and others are drop in.



Cab Benton – Nature Yoga

To explore the connection between nature and yoga - I can name benefits of connecting to nature through yoga- I can feel the benefits of yoga in nature- I can explain how and why yoga in nature helps us to connect

Hi, I am Cab Benton and I am on a journey of connection. Connection between yoga and nature.

Supporting people to connect with themselves, their bodies, others, and nature is my path. I’m an energetic ball of daydreams who likes to stop and stare at trees. More tangibly, a Masters in Regeneration Studies led me into inner city schools in Birmingham. I am a primary school teacher and PSHE/ Rights Respecting Lead with ten years classroom experience, Forest School practitioner, yoga educator, and yoga trainer.

I’ll be running sessions to help you explore the connections between and benefits of yoga in nature. We will consider how yoga tools such as check ins, breathing techniques, movement and postures, and relaxation can be used within the Forest School setting. In the hands-on session, you will take part in yoga in nature, discuss how and why we use yoga/ mindfulness in nature, and rehearse using yoga techniques to take away with you.

Forest School and yoga can bring so many benefits to our young people (and us). Both give the space and tools for youngster to develop self-awareness and self-care not to mention the connections that they make with each other and their environment. A nine-year-old recently told me that when he was in Forest School the wind danced in his ears and everything else melted away which meant that he could make connections and learn more. He said people need to relax so they can learn. His description not only made my heart sing but it is also backed up by research. Research shows that looking at a beautiful natural scene releases endorphins. It also shows being mindful supports the development of a smaller amygdala. Nature + yoga = winning combination!

Come and join me to explore! Website: www.wearegoldenthread.com



Julie Johnson – Creativity & Stories & Mindfulness Walk

Mindfulness walk, with “mindful activity invitations” enroute – which will include breath, sight, hearing, touch and barefoot walking experiences.

Creativity & Stories - A selection of story-telling tales with craft/ self-directed activity to follow each story. Example – ‘Mumma earth’ story then making clay creatures using natural resources. This workshop is timetabled in ‘Jays’

Julie is married with two grown up boys. Originally worked for Surrey Youth Service – Outdoor Education. Still run my own youth groups teaching all forms of boating skills including D of E instructor and assessor up to Gold level.Have worked in early years since 1997 – at Peter pan nursery and forest school, set in middle of its own woodland. Gained level 3 FS and been running official FS since 2009. Joint chair of Surrey FSA, and have co-ordinated several of our practitioner clusters, sharing my storytelling, songs, knotting and other skills with likeminded people.Published first book with friend Ann Watts ‘Developing Creativity and Curiosity Outdoors’ with Routledge publications this June 2018. Lots of work but really enjoyed the experience.Was Lead practitioner for Surrey early years ‘Creative Shoots’ project working with professional artists and bringing early years practitioners together to develop their creativity in early years.I generally Love the outdoors and seeing how people benefit from this wonderful resource we have to re-connect our mind, body and soles for a better and less stressful life.

Rooted in Nature CIC - Archery

Think you’re the next Robin Hood? Exciting drop in archery for ages six and above with Rooted in Nature CIC. £2 for 6 arrows. Drop in and have a go. Website: : www.rootedinnature.org.uk

Steph Holland – Nature Craft Activities

I currently run forest school sessions for children from 0-11 years and I also facilitate baby and toddler groups in the local community. I help to host wellbeing events for adults that focus on nature connection, mindfulness and nature therapy. I am also a music teacher. I love going for nature walks, identifying birds, trees, fungi etc and trying to spot interesting details.



The big debate- Leave the past at the doorstep into the future

A facilitated discussion about the current direction of the Forest School as a movement of progressive education and how we would like to see it develop in the future.

Ask the FSA

Opportunities to ask Questions of the event Speakers & the FSA board.

FSA clinic – Recognised Provider Scheme

Are you a Forest School organisation who is considering undertaking the FSA Recognised Provider Scheme? Drop in and have a chat with our development officer who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

FSA clinic – Trainers Endorsement Scheme

Are you a Forest School trainer considering undertaking the FSA Trainer endorsement scheme? Drop in and have a chat with our development officer who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

FSA Local Groups Networking

Are you involved in running a local group in your region either as an affiliated FSA local group or emergent one? Join the networking session and share practice with other local groups.

Campfire Banter

The site will have 2 campfire areas for us to gather round, to talk, share, tell stories, laugh and maybe even sing!

Chattering StarlingsDebates and conversations planned and spontaneous on Forest School issues. Listen & be heard as part of the national Forest School community. For practitioners only.


List of Confirmed Stall Holders, Demonstrators & Activities in the ‘Village’ & Event Entertainment

The Village

Mix and mingle in our ‘village’ of information stalls, demonstrators and trade stands.

Coddiwomplers

We are the Coddiwomplers. Wandering and wondering, while we whittle and weave. Wending our way, one adventure at a time.We will be selling willow baskets, other willow items. All handmade by us in Norfolk using local foraged materials and English basket willowWe will also be offering drop in willow craft workshops. Woven willow snails, flowers, birdfeeders, Fish, trees, etc.

Website: www.facebook.com/Coddiwomplers-147530045933686/

FSA Norfolk Local Group

Come and meet FSA Norfolk’s members and the infamous Dave & Mave! Drop in for some doing and making and then make your own Dave and Mave offspring to take home! Spread the Dave love!

Website: www.fsanorfolk.wixsite.com/fsan


Ringsfield Hall

Drop in and explore our quirky homely space – relax and flick through our reference books to identify that natural treasure you’ve found or add to our collection of the weird and wonderful gifts of nature. Join us to make natural cordage, beads and natural pigments. And take part in our nettle eating challenge if you dare! We’re an innovative Centre for Outdoor Learning and Nature Connection. Our core aim is reconnection with ourselves, with others, and the natural world. Our core focus is on children, young people and families. We facilitate a range of nature connection programmes.Website: www.ringsfield-hall.co.uk

East of England Training

We will be selling first aid equipment and a range of 1st aid courses. Drop in for a demonstration and practice of CPR training.We deliver HSE compliant courses such as First Aid, Health & Safety and Food Safety throughout Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Our Clients include

National and Local Businesses, schools and community with courses being delivered both indoors and out in sometimes very remote environments. Website: www.eoetraining.co.uk

Green Light Trust

Visit our stall to see demonstrations of whittling and green woodworking skills. We will also be offering drop in workshops showing people how to make a long handled spatula so they can use a shave horse and draw knife. Other items will be available to make but spatulas are a great start. The Green Light Trust transforms lives through nature. We do this by bringing people and nature together through a series of projects that encourage people to enjoy being outdoors and protect our environment at the same time. We focus particularly on vulnerable people, for whom being outdoors and learning about conservation can have a profound effect on wellbeing and a positive approach to life. Website: www.greenlighttrust.org


Wrongs Covert Woodland Project CIC

We offer talks and advice on Natural Habitats for all kinds of British fauna. Activity sheets, and information leaflets. Drop in, for individual advice and information as required. Wrongs Covert is an ancient woodland site covering 25 acres along the River Wensum 12 miles NW of Norwich In East Anglia, UK.As a working farm woodland, we have developed opportunities for

visits by young people not currently in mainstream education for a wide range of reasons. We host workshops and study days for groups and organisations caring for young people with special needs.We can also supply coppice products. Website: : www.wrongscovert.com

John Muir Trust

We will be offering a self guided drop in set of mini Muir Missions for people to set off and try for themselves as they travel around the site.The John Muir Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing wild places in the UK.We work to defend wild land, enhance habitats and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with wild places.Website: www.johnmuirtrust.org

Rooted in Nature CIC

Think you’re the next Robin Hood? Exciting drop in archery for ages six and above with Rooted in Nature CIC. £2 for 6 arrows. Drop in and have a go.The Rooted in Nature team has a passion for the great outdoors and understands the benefits the natural environment brings, which has formed the basis of our mission to help people of all ages to re-connect with nature.Website: www.rootedinnature.org.uk

Permaculture Association

We support our members and others in the permaculture network to design thriving communities across Britain by applying permaculture ethics and principles, and to contribute to permaculture worldwide.Whether you are involved in gardening, farming, planning, building homes, economic regeneration, or business, using permaculture design empowers you to make the right choices for a sustainable future.By putting ethics first and using natural systems as a model, there are simple and innovative ways to live fairly and sustainably now and in the future.Website: www.permaculture.org.uk


Bearnumber9Drop in and connect to the rhythm of the earth through drumming. We will be offering impromptu drumming circle throughout the weekend using beautiful handcraft frame drums.Claire Cartwright is a Forest School and Reiki practitioner and uses drumming in her sessions. Benny Cartwright is a craftsman, musician and music teacher. They practice mindfulness, presence and deep listening. We are a home educating family that passionately promotes the many amazing benefits of drums, by holding drumming circles, natural rhythm sessions and drum making workshops.Website: www.bearnumber9.co.uk

RSPB (Saturday only)Members of the RSPB education team will be on hand to share information about their schools outreach programme.Website - www.rspb.org.uk

Norfolk Wildlife Trust (Sunday Only)Members of the NWT education team will be on hand to offer some wildlife themed games and craftsWebsite - www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/home


“Surely any outdoor learning is a good thing and is creating nature connection, at least we’re getting them out there, nature teaches all the time”. This is a mantra I often hear from outdoor and indeed environmental educators. Having been involved in the EE/OE movement for almost 40 years now I know this is not necessarily the case. In fact done badly without a congruent value system that dictates an educators practice it can create disconnection from the natural world and the very ecological systems on which we all

depend for sustenance and beauty. Is the recent upsurge of the nature “connection” movement a good thing regarding the long term relationship with our planet? The latest climate change report from some of the world’s leading scientists, the so-called ‘hothouse report’ 1, published this August, raises some serious questions about where the planet is heading. It makes depressing reading, we could well be heading for 4 degree rise in planetary temperatures by the end of the century which in effect would

Nature Connection is not just Nature Contact – finding our true home and seeing the ecological and planetary relationship in Forest School

by Jon Cree

“Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher” William Wordsworth (The Major Works)


flip us out of the current glacial cycles. The systems knock on effects could well be catastrophic, with worrying feedback loops. The slowing of the gulf stream this spring was one big wakeup call for many of us – one of the main contributors to that April snow! Most people have little idea of the system thinking and linking of all these events to our lives…the slowing of the gulf stream got hardly any coverage! I therefore fear we have failed in our attempts to build connection and relationship to the planet in the EE/OE movement – what was my 40 years of EE for? Nature connection is possibly not happening in our nature education programmes? In this short article I would like to explore what we mean by nature connection, especially in relation to Forest School, and raise questions about practises that embody this that could lead to regenerative systems.

What is nature connection? For me it is about a continuous relationship with the natural world and it’s ecological systems ie the planet itself. It is about the improvised duet between our animal body and the fluid breathing land which we inhabit – a participatory relationship. There is an active dialogue with all life – between the human and the non human, between the inner mind and the outer world.

Steve van Matre, chair of the Institute for Earth Education, author of many earth education books, and speaker at this year’s FSA conference, recently wrote;

“…this (environmental education) is not a matter of planting seeds. That’s what most everyone in our field claims they are doing, but without careful cultivation, most of the intended growth withers and dies. It is choked out by other desires and demands on learners lives………Most seeds did not and don’t make it” 2

Relationship takes time, effort and cultivation – it is not a one off field trip or a momentary wow atop a mountain or deep in a bluebell blooming wood. Nature connection is really about both the long term rich first hand contact with the natural world that engenders reverence, respect, kinship, joy AND, importantly, love and understanding. This is why Forest School can be so powerful as it is about having long term regular contact with the natural world, through the seasons. A key part of all this cultivating of these emotions is a deep ‘knowing’ of the ways the ecological processes of the planet operate and how we as humans are part and parcel of it all.

Nature connection, if it is all about loving relationship with the natural world, is also reciprocal…indeed all relationships depend on reciprocity – to be good givers, takers and sacrificers. This can only happen when we humans recognise how we are fed physically, as well as emotionally, by the natural world. Steve van Matre goes on to say;

“…in a loving relationship there are three entities; two people plus the relationship itself…”


I take from this that for both people to gain from this they have to sacrifice in the relationship. In our relationship with the natural world we have taken the relationship for granted and not sacrificed enough and now the natural world is kicking back in the many environmental ways it only knows how to kick back (rising temperatures, surging methane, species loss, changing climates etc). Developing this relationship and knowing what to sacrifice takes intentional time. When we are open to it and know the workings we can see ourselves as part of this vast interconnected web and really connect rather than have that all too brief incomprehensive contact that is often equated to connection. What, as Van Matre states, we need to do is to “sharpen our senses and open our minds…letting nature flow into us and to really deepen our understandings in order to ‘give back’ rather than take”. Sustainable development has often been construed as something that can help human growth, and in the Forest School constructivist approach make meaning for ourselves. However after thirty years of sustainable development speak we are in a worse situation, and the term has mean’t , in the end, more growth – we need new language and dialogue. As Herbert Girardet has said we now need ‘regeneration’ not ‘development’ 3. Just having nature contact does not necessarily enable learners formulate a deep integral meaning of what our true ecology is which can then enable a regeneration of our planetary systems and ourselves. It does not necessarily help us understand the basic energy flows and material cycles – how sunlight flows into our veins to enable our ancient friend carbon to move and connect all living beings on the planet. How do we then enable the deeper connection that is required to restore and regenerate the ecological systems that are currently at tipping points? I fear that Forest School sometimes misses this reciprocity in taking children and learners into the woods often purely for the benefit of our curiosity, creativity, learning and development. We could learn much from earth education and it’s ways of learning about planetary ecological systems and how these integrate with the ways we live.

So I leave you with three questions about nature connection to intentionally and mindfully consider when exploring at this deeper connection during the conference;

What does constitute deeper nature connection practise where we can rewire and really understand the workings of the planet?

What routines do we have to embody to realise a regenerative relationship and not see nature as a separate entity – as an IT, but as a whole where there is a unity that can regenerate?

And what sacrifices do we have to make for the natural world in order to reinvigorate dynamic restorative ecological systems that can include the young whippersnapper – ‘human’?

In the end it is not just going out into nature, making contact and knowing what it can do for us in terms of learning and development. Nature connection, as opposed to nature contact, is about letting nature into our everyday lives and making US and IT a WE, fulfilled and integral. If we are to have a ecological equitable system we need to feel not just a local sense of place but, as van Matre says, “a planetary sense of place”. v

1. Stefan et al (2018) Trajectories of the Earth System in the Anthropocene. PNAS see http://www.pnas.org/content/115/33/8252

2. Van Matre (2017) Cultivating for the Resurrection – see www.ieetree.org IEE Annual Report 2017

3. Girardet (2018) A Call for Regeneration – see Resurgence & Ecologist Jan/Feb 2018 No 306

Jon Cree


Nature Connection: It’s all about the gratitude “Thank you” – 2 words we often encourage

children to practice as a polite response to other’s actions. Perhaps its not the words we desire the children to use more than the underlying feeling of gratitude, but why?

I’ve been aware for some time of the power of gratitude for mental health. There is research out there that suggest a multitude of benefits of practicing gratitude; reducing depression and anxiety, building resilience, reducing physical pain, improving sleep, developing empathy and connections with others (1). So, it seems like a no brainer as a practice to incorporate into a Forest School programme – after all we’re trying to build resilience, self esteem and build non judgemental communities! The best bit is that it’s so simple – you just choose to practice it. It really doesn’t matter how big or small the thing or things are that you are grateful for – and nature is crammed full of curious and wonderous things to thank! The sunlight that warms my face, the feel of the earth under my feet, the ever changing colours of leaves, the sound of the birds calling, the minibeasts busy digesting debris, the taste of blackberries and the smiles on the faces of my friends.

However, it wasn’t until fairly recently that I had one of those lightning bolt moments – you know the ones? – where a thousand pennies drop making a noise that is totally unignorable! This bombshell hit me when I was on a course with Jon Young (founder of 8 shields (2)) last December; Jon has spent his life answering a question he posed himself ‘Why are some cultures more nature connected than others?’ and has collated wisdom from various indigenous peoples, finding common truths and in collaboration,

woven ancient knowledge into a modern multifaceted framework of the 8 shields.

So are you ready for the big one?! I’m bursting to share what I feel is the secret ingredient of nature connection with you! Yup, you’ve guessed it – its gratitude! Gratitude is the medium through which nature connection takes place. It’s how we can put ourselves in a receptive, non-threatening state so that the rest of nature will approach and interact with us. It’s the difference between going to your sit spot and not really seeing or hearing anything, getting bored, and going to your sit spot in gratitude and the whole of nature starts talking and connecting to you! Since realising this and practicing it, I’ve had voles tunnel through the grass underneath my back, deer casually browsing and letting me watch them, squirrels playing within arm’s reach (and weeing in front of me!), and woodpeckers sharing life messages. It is truly a natural magic that builds connection, joy & love.

“Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.” ` David Steindl-rast v

So, thank you for taking a moment in your busy life to read this and thank you for doing the Forest School work you do with your groups and thank you for loving the earth. v

Louise Ambrose, Birchwood Learning

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude

2. Find out more about 8 Shields & Jon Young here - http://8shields.org/


The FSA is the professional body and dedicated voice for Forest School within the UK. We are devoted to promoting quality Forest School for all.

Our charitable purpose“The advancement of education for public benefit through promotion and support of quality Forest School in the United Kingdom using any means to enable all children, young people and adults to benefit from increased opportunities for high quality and varied educational experiences in the natural world.”

To do this we:· Communicate a strong, clear vision

of what Forest School is.· Develop and maintain the curriculum

content for approved Forest School qualifications.

· Work together to increase opportunities for people to experience quality Forest School in the UK.

· Provide a central point for collecting, storing and sharing information about Forest School and good practice in Forest School (including notes on good practice, advice on choosing leaders, and advice on choosing trainers.

· Stimulate, store and share practitioner and academic research and learn from it.

· Work collaboratively with other organisations with similar goals and in related areas.

About the Forest School Association

Who can join?We are an inclusive, forward-looking and democratic membership organisation. We are open to all levels of Forest School professional and all those interested in providing and growing opportunities for people to experience quality Forest School within our UK nations. Go to http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/membership-options-page/ for information on our range of membership schemes. How will we work towards ensuring high quality?· As a self-governing professional body

we will work with approved training providers to deliver FSA endorsed Forest School courses and Forest School qualifications.

· We will endorse training providers who meet the criteria for good practice.

· We provide publicly accessible information about qualified Forest School practitioners.


FSA Recognised Forest School Provider SchemeAt the Forest School Association (FSA), we believe that Forest School plays a key role in increasing children’s life chances by improving self-confidence and communication skills and offering experiences of risk and challenge in a natural wooded setting.

As the national body for Forest School our aim is to see ‘quality Forest School for all’ happening in practice. We have a scheme for schools & organisations to recognise ‘good’ Forest School practice nationally, the FSA Recognised Forest School Provider Scheme.

We believe that any school or organisation providing Forest School to children would also want to share ‘good’ Forest School practice with others. The scheme provides the opportunity to do just that by promoting ‘good Forest School practice’ to the public and Forest School community via our FSA Recognised Forest School Provider online map.

Once your school or organisation has become a ‘FSA Recognised Forest School Provider’, you will be able to display a certificate and electronic badge on your website, paperwork and/or premises.

Details of how to apply for the scheme and the range of other benefits available can be found at www.forestschoolassociation.org/membership-options-page/

Trainer MembershipWe have now introduced a process for those who train and assess Forest School courses to become FSA endorsed through a rigorous Quality Assurance process. Through this scheme trainers can demonstrate they meet a variety of professional standards associated with providing quality training experiences in line with the 6 core Forest School principles. For more information go to: www.forestschoolassociation.org/membership-options-page/


Tree-mendous people I met at the FSA Conference 2017!Who?

Where would I find them?

Contact details…

What do they do?

Who?


Contact details…

What do they do?

Who?


Contact details…

What do they do?

Who?


Contact details…

What do they do?

Who?


Contact details…

What do they do?


Coming to a town near you? Would you be interested in having a fun dads & kids group running regular activities throughout the year where you live?

The Dangerous Dads Network CIC works with communities across the UK to help set up ‘Dangerous Dads’ groups. Activities bring dads and male carers from all walks of life together with children of all ages. There are 25 groups already in the UK and we’re looking to establish more… So if you think there might be a demand for a dads group near you or you are interested in setting up a group, let us know. Just to add that many of our groups are run by women - please get in touch if you’d like to know more.

www.dangerousdads.org.uk Facebook: The Dangerous Dads Network

[email protected] 077 317 95160


www.kozikidz.com | Tel: 01302 746680

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National Forest School Conference 2018 ~ Belong in this ......19.45 - 20.45 Forest School ‘Open...

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