The Forgotten Forest

The Forgotten Forest is a little place where children can come and play whilst reconnecting with nature. An outdoor provision for children and their adults.

There is plenty of opportunity to listen to stories, make natural crafts,  take part in nature activities, make dens, climb trees, play in the mud kitchen, relax in a hammock, chill in the dens, sit around the campfire and have hot chocolate and marshmallows. Learn how to use tools and rope to make all sorts of equipment such as log dogs and fairy homes. The opportunities are endless. But most of all, have fun and let follow your own imagination.

At Forgotten Forest we focus on  how children learn best – through following their own interests outdoors whilst experiencing risky play.

The outdoor environment encourages and inspires children to grow in confidence, independence, self-esteem and develop an ability to assess risks for themselves. They explore and use natural materials found in the forest. Within a safe secure environment it is possible to encourage the children to move away from close adult interaction and to become more responsible for each other and for themselves.

We run regular sessions through out the week and at the weekend that you can book onto. Many are themed around a story to hook the children in.

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For more information on events and to book 

https://bookwhen.com/forgottenforest

Forgotten Forest Events

We host a variety of sessions and events that are for children. Some events are just for children to attend. Some are for children with their parent and others are family sessions. Most of these sessions are based around a theme or a popular book.

The session will start with greeting around the campfire, where we will all sit on logs and tree stumps, we will have a safety briefing and then a story whilst having an adventure around the woods. From there children can play games, take part in the craft or free play.

There will be a mud kitchen, den making materials, trees to climb, logs and mud hills to balance on, tree swings, water play as well as hammocks, tipis, nature and bug identification kits.

Each session will have a theme that follows on from the children’s interests in previous sessions as well as links to the seasons, nature and books.

There will be a break for a hot drink and toasting marshmallows around the campfire. Hot drinks will be available for the grown ups. There is a shed with a camping toilet if needed as well as handwashing facilities.

What to wear

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

Dress for the weather.

Mud is always on the agenda. So not your best clothes. A mud suit is always useful as well as sturdy boots or wellies

Summer/spring

Long trousers – to help prevent scratches from brambles and grazes from kneeling or climbing, long sleeved t shirt – again, to protect from scratches or scrapes, footwear- sturdy footwear such as walking boots or wellies when it’s muddy, Layers- it’s better to add or remove layers according to the weather(it can be colder and shady under the trees), waterproof jacket- in case of rain, waterproof pants – great to protect trousers, for sitting on the floor and for muddy days, Sunhat, Suncream (it is quiet shaded under the trees though)

Autumn / Winter

Waterproof trousers, Waterproof jackets, Warm layers, Hat, Gloves, Sturdy footwear, Wellies

Here is what we have coming up this month

to book on please http://www.bookwhen.com?forgottenforest

https://www.bookwhen.com/forgottenforest

Forgotten Forest’s ethos focuses on  how children learn best – through following their own interests outdoors and whilst experiencing risky play.

The outdoor environment encourages and inspires children to grow in confidence, independence, self-esteem and develop an ability to assess risks for themselves.

The children quickly learn boundaries within which they must work. They respond to the sense of freedom and adhere to the rules laid down for their safety. They go out in all weathers. They explore and use natural materials found in the forest. Within a safe secure environment it is possible to encourage the children to move away from close adult interaction and to become more responsible for each other and for themselves.

At The Forgotten Forest all participants are viewed as:
equal, unique and valuable
competent to explore & discover
entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development

entitled to experience regular success
entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world
This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every session and programme with discovery and difference.