We have secured funding from FEAST to offer 15 free places a day at our Christmas Holiday Club. This is great news for families who are receiving benefits and are eligible for free school meals. They are able to pick a holiday club of their choice which their children can attend free of charge (as long as there are spaces available... ours are going quickly!)
What is FEAST?
Feast stands for Food, Entertainment, Arts, Sport, and Together. It is open to all children and young people across North Yorkshire, and it is free to families eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals. The aim of Feast is to bring fun to the school holidays with an offer of many different activities. The programme is run by North Yorkshire Together and has a partnership between North Yorkshire Youth, North Yorkshire Sport and Rural Arts. Their aim is to support residents to be happy and healthy.
The funding received for this project is to be used to coordinate healthy holiday activities for children from the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme. The funding recognises that school holidays can result in additional pressures on family finances due to the increased food and childcare costs. Therefore, the aim is to provide children with activities that will help to keep them healthy, active, socially active and to develop new skills.
How do I claim my free FEAST place?
Eligible families will have received a letter with all the information they need to know about FEAST. You will also have received a code to claim your free place. Haven’t got your code yet? If you are registered for benefits-related Free School Meals, get in touch with North Yorkshire Together and they can help: https://northyorkshiretogether.co.uk/contact-us/
What activities are on?
There are plenty of activities to get stuck into across the county. Click the link below to browse activities taking place near you: https://northyorkshiretogether.co.uk/feast-activities/
Forest School Christmas Woodland Outdoor Play
For our activity, we will be running some festive Forest School Workshops. Below is all the information you need, including how to book.
Event title - Forest School Christmas Woodland Outdoor Play
When: Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st December 10AM-2PM
Where: Bishop Wood, Cawood. (near Sherburn-in-Elmet)
Description
Children will get the opportunity to play freely in the woods within the boundaries of our base camp at the Bishop Wood site based near Cawood near Selby. Children will have the opportunity to learn how to use a range of traditional tools safely and create something to take home, perhaps this could be used as a Christmas present.
Activities
Monday - Create a wooden 'Winter Wonderland' fir tree from wood using a saw and gimlet
Tuesday - Use a knife to carve a Snowman decoration
Wednesday - Learn the traditional craft of wet felting to create a robin decoration
At Forest school, we encourage children to be creative and we support the children's own interests where possible.
Children will have the opportunity to learn how to light a fire safely and there will be an opportunity to get involved in campfire cooking. Some examples of the type of campfire cooking are: s'mores (toasted marshmallow and chocolate biscuit sandwich!), hot dogs, and pizzas etc. Children will be provided with a healthy packed lunch and drink for lunch.
One of the most important elements of Forest School is offering children the opportunity to engage in free play, which is when children choose where they would like to play. As well as the adult focused activities of tools and fire we also provide: den building opportunities, rope swing, hammock play and much more.
What to bring:
Warm coat
Waterproof top and bottoms
Layered base layers (thermals are good)
2 pairs of layered socks
Hat and gloves
Jumper/fleece
Change of clothes
We will be playing outside whatever the weather so it is IMPORTANT that your child has the right clothes on to stay warm and dry
To book
Please email Siobhan at treetopsforestschool@gmail.com with the code you received from school and she will give you the details of how to book. Children that are not entitled to free school meals are also welcome to book paid places.
Directions and further information for the day are available on the booking site which you will be able to access once you have sent your initial email to Siobhan to request a place.
Website URL-
www.treetopsforestschool.co.uk
Link to FEAST Activity: https://northyorkshiretogether.co.uk/feast-activities/christmas-forest-school-holiday-cub/2022-12-19/
Age - aged 5-13 years inclusive of SEND (Special Educational Needs)
We are so happy that we have got this opportunity for a number of reasons but mainly because we value inclusivity. By taking away the barrier of cost e can welcome more children to Forest School that otherwise may not have come.... Brilliant!
