Macaroni Wood with the Noah’s Ark Children’s Project

Woodland Learning can provide woodland learning activities for groups staying at Macaroni Wood near Eastleach, Gloucestershire. All activities are based on Forest School principals. The activities are all within the wood beside the centre, enabling residential visitors to make the most of the beautiful surroundings.
All types of group can be provided for, including special needs groups. Teachers or youth leaders discuss their needs with Ruth Parsons before the visit. An appropriate program is designed to meet those needs, from meeting National Curriculum targets to boosting confidence and self-esteem to physical exercise to team building. All activities are fun and hands-on and aim to encourage everyone to get the most out of being outside in the countryside.
Risk assessments are provided for the visit and activities and advice can be given to help write risk assessments for individuals if necessary.
The group is put at ease with a fun introduction, including health and safety information, and perhaps some games to get them used to Ruth and to being out in the wood. They are introduced to their activities as planned. There is a flexible approach to the activities to ensure they are at the appropriate level to enable individuals to succeed. Every effort is made to ensure individuals are engaged in an activity they enjoy. The session always ends with time to reflect and celebrate achievements.

Possible activities include:-
• Fire making and cooking.
• Den and shelter building.
• Hiding and running games.
• Mini-beast safari and pond dipping.
• Bows and arrows.
• Whistle making and music.
• Whittling with penknives
• Habitats and food chains
• Storytelling
• Maths trails
• History (World war 2). Macaroni Wood was an air base with 1800 personnel
• Natural sculpture (based on the work of Andy Goldsworthy)
• Clay monsters

Recent examples of groups visiting Macaroni Wood and activities carried out:

Brent Knoll School, Lewisham - Outdoor Cooking. We cooked the evening meal.
Lewisham Carers - Den Building and camouflage.
Lewisham College - Bows and arrows and fire and cooking.
Link School, Lewisham - Hiding and finding, following trails, habitats, fire and toasting marshmallows
Perrymount Primary, Lewisham - Den building, games and bows and arrows.
St Lawrence Primary, Lechlade - Habitats and foodchains.
Lewisham Early Years Team - “On the Trail of Harry Nash” (World War 2)

A full days education program costs £220.00. Half a day costs £110.00

For further information or to discuss a visit please contact Ruth Parsons on 01285 750679 or e-mail ruthparsons@woodland-learning.co.uk

Link : Woodland Learning at Macaroni Wood (PDF - 672Kb)