Grown Up Forest School

If you are like me you will believe that everyone likes to play whatever age you are. Playing is fun right? Even if as an adult you are out of practise.

Play allows you the freedom to try new things in a low stress environment where you are never wrong. Playing games, for example, may make you laugh and interact with others in a different way. You may enjoy making things and feel motivated by finding ways to create different shapes or patterns or like to see how things work and experiment with different methods. In short; play makes you feel good.

Why does it matter to you? It matters because we often don’t leave enough time for ourselves in life. Play offers so much that isn’t always obvious or measurable.

• It boosts your immune system
• Relieves stress
• Accelerates learning
• Improves brain function
• Improves relationships with others
• Increases energy levels- keeps you young
• You can play as a family
• It makes you laugh which makes you feel good

Who is it for? - It is for people who want to get together as a group and try something new outdoors connecting with nature. Those who want to pause and take a breath in life.

It may be an ‘away day’ from work or a group who are celebrating something. It's for those who want to relax and don’t take life too seriously.

The ‘Grown up Forest School’ is currently held at Yolk Farm

This is playing out for grown ups! A relaxed space for people who enjoy being outdoors playing out! By that I mean the truest meaning of playing; to have a go at something and try different ways of creating something.

At this small gathering, the playing bit will be having a go at making a something using traditional tools. I will show you the different steps as a starting point and you can use this to make your own in whatever way you choose. You may decide to make it a different shape or add carving. My hope is that you follow your curiosity of “ I wonder what will happen if I take this bit out?” kind of questions. The tools involved in this process are: a knife for whittling and splitting, a mallet for splitting, and both a bow saw and a pruning saw.

You don’t need any prior experience of woodcraft to take part. Your finished mallet may be far from perfect but the value lies in the process of creating it. There are no mistakes here and you may discover a hidden interest or talent for wood carving. We will be using locally sourced hazel to make the mallets and of course, you will be able to take yours home to treasure and hopefully use.

In order to achieve a true sense of play there will be other choices of activities that you can dip in and out of.

• Flint and steel fire lighting; creating a spark which you could build to create a fire to cook on.
• There will be a communal fire area and a campfire snack (Pizza) for you to cook on the fire when you are ready. The obligatory marshmallow will also be available!
• Hot drinks and biscuits - you won’t go home hungry!
• A heated tipi if you want to whittle in comfort

The intention is that this gathering will be repeated each season. This is the first one so it will be interesting to see which like minded people come. It could become a club! …. for undercover whittlers!

An open fire and a warm welcome will be waiting for you in this small, inclusive gathering 💚