Our After-School Forest Club: A Growing Adventure

Back in September 2024, we decided to trial an after-school club at our children’s school—just to see how it might go. It turned out to be a wonderful success, and since then we’ve happily continued running the club every Monday.

Our sessions currently welcome small groups of pupils from Years 3–6, giving them the space to explore, play, and connect with nature in a relaxed after-school setting. The children love a mix of games and hands-on activities, from high-energy favourites like Capture the Flag to creative nature crafts such as conker people, wet felting acorns and woodland potions. Hammock-time is always popular too, and den-building is a firm favourite!

We also enjoy experimenting with campfire cooking—recent hits include apple crumble, smores and cheesy garlic bites—and introducing the children to safe tool use. Potato peelers for whittling and hacksaws for making elder whistles are among the skills they’ve been learning with great enthusiasm.

What we value most is watching the children discover what truly interests them: exploring the woods together, trying new skills, and immersing themselves in practical, outdoor creativity. Every session brings something new, and we love being part of their woodland adventures.