Woodland Learning

2010 Training Courses and Events

For further information please contact Ruth Parsons at Woodland Learning, 4 Painters Field, Quenington, Gloucestershire. GL7 5DL Tel. 01285 750 679 or Mob. 07999598793 e-mail ruthparsons@woodland-learning.co.uk or contact the course or event provider directly.

Aiming High

Link : Aiming High booking form

This program aims to provide opportunities for Swindon young people with ASD or SE&BD to build their confidence and skills through fun woodland activities with their families and others. It is a pilot project so please give the events a try and let us know what you think.

All events are fully risk assessed and every effort will be made for everyone to be able to join in and have a great time. Please let me know of any issues and concerns before each event so I can plan accordingly. Woodland Learning is fully insured and all staff have been advance CRB checked and have a wealth of experience of working with special needs children.

For all activities apart from the teenagers bush craft day families will be responsible for their own children. For all events food and drink will be provided but you may like to bring your own favourites. Activities will be fun for all family members. Please do not bring dogs. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring a change if you think you will need it. You are very welcome to borrow wellies and waterproofs. You will need to book for all events. The booking form can be downloaded (Download Aiming High Booking Form) and printed off and posted or e-mailed to Woodland Learning. Paper copies are available from school offices. All events are free. A £10.00 booking fee will be incurred if you don’t turn up to events and haven’t let me know in advance.

Events for Families of ASD children/young people.

FAMILY WOODLAND CLUB. 6th of February and 6th March. 10am to 1pm. Chalet School Woodland Garden. Gardening and Games. Snacks and drinks provided.

FAMILY FUN DAY. Thursday 18th February. 10am to 4pm. Chalet School Woodland Garden. Natural Art and Scupture, including using tools. Lunch and drinks provided.

FAMILY WOODLAND WEEKEND BREAK. Saturday 20th March 10am to Sunday 21st March 4pm. Macaroni Wood, near Eastleach, Gloucestershire. Transport provided if required. All meals and drinks provided but everyone helping with cooking and clearing up. Bike riding, woodland walks and games, adventure play ground, farm animals, evening bonfire, following trails, games room and soft play. Priority booking for those who have attended other events.

Event for teenagers with ASD and/or moderate to severe learning difficulties.

TEENAGERS BUSH CRAFT DAY. Tuesday 16th February 10am to 4pm. Stanton Park. Transport provided if required. 3 members of staff present but would be great if some parents could come to help. Lunch and drinks provided. Advanced shelter building, using knives, fire lighting and cooking.

Event for families with children/young people with SE&BD.

FAMILY FUN DAY. Monday 15th February 10am to 4pm. Stanton Park. Transport provided if required. Lunch and drinks provided. Exploring, following a trail, den building, fire lighting and cooking.

Professional Development Courses for Forest School Leaders and those in training.

These two hour workshops give participants the chance to practice their skills, share ideas and experience and get advice and support from a Forest school trainer. Everyone who is interested is very welcome. The courses are suitable for teaching staff from nurseries, primary schools, secondary and special schools; youth leaders, child minders, parents, rangers and many more. Certificates of attendance can be given to all those who need them. Please book your place.

Stanton Park, in the woodland on the left of the access road. Meet in the car park at 3.45pm. Course finishes at 5.45pm. £10 per person per workshop. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Wednesday 24th March. Using sharp tools – saws, drills, billhooks and knives.

Tuesday 20th April. Making musical instruments and drums and using music at Forest School.

Monday 17th May. Storytelling and games. Ideas and great stories you can use for all ages.

Thursday 24th June. Woodland wildlife. Encouraging discovery and amazement. Understanding sustainable woodland management. Recognising species.

Tuesday 13th July. Fires and cooking. Review safe practice. Using different methods to light a fire. Cooking healthy food (and some treats!). Stay for tea! Please bring £2 donation towards food.

Forest School Training

Woodland Learning will be offering Forest School training at all levels in the Swindon area from September 2010. The courses will be provided under licence agreement with Archimedes Training. For more information about the course content see www.forestschools.com Some of the courses will be residential and some not. Probable venues are Lower Shaw Farm, Stanton Park and Great Bedwyn School. If you are interested please register your interest and full details will be sent to you when they are available. ruthparsons@woodland-learning.co.uk

Willow Craft Courses

Details to be confirmed. Please register interest ruthparsons@woodland-learning.co.uk details will be sent directly to you when available. Courses run from 10am to 4pm. The cost of materials is included in the course. Please bring your own lunch. Each course costs £40.00. Please bring secatures. Each course is run at Highworth Town Council Offices and Quenington Institute.

April. Willow Plant Supports. Make wig wam plant supports, trellis and arbours ready for runner beans and sweet peas.

June. Willow sculptures. Make a something special for your garden, anything from an abstract shape to a swan or an unusual scarecrow.

Highworth Family Conservation Club

Join in the fun in Northview School Grounds.
This monthly club is for families in Highworth to learn about, care for and enjoy being outside in the natural environment together.

Keep fit in the great outdoors! Have fun!

Make new friends! Make hot chocolate on a fire!

Free. Wear suitable old clothes and footwear.

No experience needed. Something for everyone!

Please contact Lesley Uzzell at Northview School to book a place by the Friday before the session – places are limited
Tel. 765408 or email admin@northview-pri.swindon.sch.uk

Course led by Ruth Parsons from Woodland Learning.

Dates as below, time 9.30am to 12.30pm

Please let us know if you have any disabilities or special needs so we can do everything possible to accommodate you. No unaccompanied children.

Date and time	Theme
23 January 2010	Repairing paths, seats and digging a fire pit.
27 February 2010	Pond clearing.
13 March 2010	Growing plants from seed and attracting birds to your garden/school. Or helping a volunteer to re-lay the patio around the pond.
24 April 2010	Growing food organically.
22 May 2010	Making a Rope Walk and making picture frames.
26 June 2010	Woodland Shelter Building.
24 July 2010	Summer party. Harvesting and cooking veg.

Goddard Park Growing Group

Can you help look after the school woodland and vegetable gardens?

This monthly course will show you how to do practical gardening jobs at the same time as helping provide a wonderful learning resource for your children.

Keep fit in the great outdoors! Have fun!

Make new friends! Make tea and toast on an open fire.

Free Course. Wear suitable old clothes and footwear.

No experience needed. Something for everyone!

Please let reception know the by the day before if you can come. Tel. 01793 342342

Course led by Ruth Parsons from Woodland Learning.

3rd Thursday of every month. 9am to 12 noon.

Please let us know if you have any disabilities or special needs so we can do everything possible to accommodate you.

Date and time	Theme
25 February 2010	Woodland tidy up, improving paths and making fire pit.
18 March 2010	Composting and preparing veg beds
22 April 2010	Planting veg seeds
20 May 2010	Planting and maintaining veg beds
17 June 2010	Veg beds, compost heap and woodland management
15 July 2010	Summer family party. Harvesting and cooking veg.

Forest School Family Days

These days are a celebration, a chance to practice skills and swap ideas and news with like-minded people. Book at least a week in advance through Woodland Learning. Plenty of time for chatting to friends and playing with your family (you don’t have to bring your family if you don’t want to!). NB this event is only for those who have attended training with or work closely with Woodland Learning.
Booking Form, email ruthparsons@woodland-learning.co.uk

Tuesday 6th April 10am to 3pm. Cuckoo Pen, Coleshill. Perfect your sharp tools expertise, fell small trees and make log sculptures and musical instruments. Enjoy a shared lunch cooked on an open fire. Baked potatoes and baked beans provided. Bring anything else you may like.

Tuesday 26th October 10am to 3pm. Stanton Park, Near Swindon. Practice fire lighting and cooking. Making individual fires and trying lots of outdoor cooking recipes to make our own recipe book. Please bring the ingredients for your favourite outdoor meal with some extra to share with others. I will bring the things to make pizzas and a cake!

Thatcham Nature Discovery Days

These family days explore the wildlife of Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre and provide a great day out for the whole family. There is a small charge for each family. Please book through the web site www.naturediscovery.org.uk or by phoning Angela Moore on 01635 874381.

Wednesday 17th February. 2010. 10.30 – 3.30 Love Nature. Use your senses to develop your awareness of nature with lots of games. Learn about wildlife in winter. Warm up around a real fire listening to winter wildlife stories.

West Berkshire Forest Skills days for 8-14 year olds

These days are for young people to come and enjoy the great outdoors during the school holidays. The days run from 10am to 4pm. They cost £25 a day. Every day has a different theme but all days include fire lighting and den building, everyone’s favourites! The dates are as follows:-

Fridays, 8th April, 4th June, 30th July, 13th August, 20th August and 27th August. Please see www.naturediscovery.org.uk for more information and to book.