Are you a budding photographer?!

Are there any budding photographers in your home, school or club?! 

If so, they might be interested to enter a photography competition held by Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Photos should be of wildlife in a natural setting. All entries will be displayed on their website.

For more information, check out the website:

http://www.somersetwildlife.org/photography_competition_2012.html

Perhaps join us at one of the days in the woods over October Half Term (see previous post) and we can help you take some brilliant photos to enter there?

Autumn News

Dear Woodland Friends,

With only 3 weeks until October Half Term, I thought it was time I reminded you all what will be happening in the woods!! This is my favorite time of year without a doubt, although drizzly today the weekend just past was a perfect autumn weather, cold, crisp and blue sky! I love the autumn smells, I love the colour of the leaves turning, I love listening for the stags rutting....what do you love about the autumn?


Woodland Playschemes
The Woodland Playschemes are for children ages 8 years and over. Occasionally under 8’s can attend to please speak to me if you request this service. Unless it states otherwise they must be booked in advance and are all;

TIMES: 1000 – 1600hrs
COST: £20 per child, per day.

You can book one day at a time or as many as you like. Why not consider it a childcare option whilst you work, shop or play? There is the option of EARLY BIRD and NIGHT OWL, where children can be dropped off from 0900hrs and collected anytime up to 1700hrs. This option is an additional £5.00 each, per child, per day.

Half Term (Oct)
Wednesday 31^st October           Carving and Cooking
Thursday 1^st November             Lanterns and Crunchy Crafts
Friday 2^nd November                 Fire play – without matches! (opportunity for a 'slash and burn' day all welcome)

* * * * * * * * * *
Learn how to use a Ring Kiln to make Charcoal

Sunday 11th November 2012
Join us at Hensons Wood near Rackenford for a day of charcoal burning.

We will guide you through the stages of the operation:
* Loading the Kiln
* Lighting the fire
* Grading the Charcoal

We will provide details of marketing, packaging and the ethics of producing British
charcoal compared to imported.

On site there will be a display of charcoal and information highlighting its various uses

Instructors:       Pete and Anna from the Bulworthy Project
Venue:              Hensons Wood, Rackenford, Devon
Time                 1000 – 1600hrs
Refreshments:  Tea/Coffee & Light Lunch provided
Cost:                 £40 to non-members or £25 to members
Contact:            Woodland Coordinator
                          Louise Kennedy

Contact Details: woodlands@fwagsw.org.uk
                          01823 355427 / 07775 941353

Booking is essential

* * * * * * * * * *
Coastal Fitness Weekend for Adults

A brilliant weekend is up for grabs to stay in a beautiful location in North Devon, with a programme of fitness activities and all in a stunning and relaxing retreat. In my eyes a great mix of coastal sea air, active fun and the opportunity to stay at Pickwell Manor.

To find out more check out this page http://www.activeescape.co.uk/weekend-breaks/coastal-fitness.pdf

So they say a change is as good as a rest, so what are you waiting for.....

Ideal for an active weekend break in stunning surroundings!

* * * * * * * * * *
GREEN FOOD FAIR

AT CROWCOMBE VILLAGE HALL
ON SATURDAY 20^th October
Opens at 10a.m.
Finishing at 4.30p.m
LOCAL FOOD & DRINKS
CRAFTS & other stalls

SOMERSET RAFFLE
GREAT REFRESHMENTS
FREE ENTRY!
Still time to take a stall -£10
Please apply to Carole Darke QECO Treasurer
carole.darke@virgin.net
Full details & booking form will be sent to you.

* * * * * * * * * *

Any adults up for a fitness weekend...

A brilliant weekend is up for grabs to stay in a beautiful location in North Devon, with a programme of fitness activities and all in a stunning and relaxing retreat. In my eyes a great mix of coastal sea air, active fun and the opportunity to stay at Pickwell Manor.

To find out more check out this page http://www.activeescape.co.uk/weekend-breaks/coastal-fitness.pdf

So they say a change is as good as a rest, so what are you waiting for.....

Ideal for an active weekend break in stunning surroundings!


October Half Term
Woodland Playscheme on Wednesday 31st, Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd October.
For some spooky fun, carving and cooking!

Bushcraft course for forest school practitioners

Dear All,

This month I am very excited to be telling you about a forthcoming course for adults, it is a brilliant course delivered by two extremely knowledgeable, kind and enthusiastic tutors. If you are not a Forest School Practitioner and are interested in the course please contact Maggie to discuss.

Also....I will be reflecting on the summer of adventures and playschemes in the next blog http://woodlandplaycentre.blogspot.co.uk/  as well as posting some fabulous photos to show you what we have been up to. In the blog I will post the information for the OCTOBER HALF TERM Playscheme that will take place on Wednesday 31st October, Thursday 1st November and Friday 2nd November. As always bookings can be made now. So take a look at the blog....the new look for the website is due to come to your screen almost any day now, so do keep your eye open for that as well  http://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/

Playful wishes Louise
____________________________________________________________

BUSHCRAFT FOR FOREST SCHOOL PRACTITIONERS

Come along and join us for two days of practical activities and personal development aimed at providing Forest School Leaders with basic Bushcraft skills and knowledge. Go away at the end of the course with a host of ideas and activities to incorporate into woodland sessions, plus your own flint and steel fire lighting kit in a leather “goody” bag you will have made!

The course will cover:
·        Games for introducing plant/tree identification and their Bushcraft uses.
·        Games for introducing a structure to a Bushcraft Day.
·        Safe tool use and how to maintain tools.
·        Fire lighting methods using sparks (by flint and steel, fire steel) electrical, solar and friction.
·        How to organise a team Fire-by-Friction set to achieve fire. Very useful when dealing with a younger age group.
·        Fire construction, maintenance with different fire lays and safe fire disposal.
·        Making char cloth
·        Brief look at the history of fire lighting.
·        Safe natural shelter construction.
·        Take part in the “Model Shelter Challenge”
·        Knots for use with tarps and for lashings.
·        Cordage preparation (natural materials depending on location/season).
·        How to construct 2-ply cordage and join in to extend cordage.
·        Water filtering and purification.
·        Crafts:  use of cordage to make leather bound books and a bag to hold flint/steel kit; simple predator call device made from natural materials; Apache Throwing star for hunting game; feather stick for fire lighting and additional craft ideas.

Previous course participants said:
“ thank you both again for the Bushcraft course at the weekend. You shared your knowledge and skills so generously with us. I still cannot get over how much care, attention and time you so obviously put into the preparation. I have not only come away with a leather fire-making pouch, but a huge host of great ideas for games and activities I’ll use to develop my practice as a Forest School leader”

“ thank you both for a really fantastic weekend. I am busy recreating all the exercises and activities to use with a Forest School group - we are then going to practice everything on unsuspecting kids at the camp this weekend. You are both so inspirational and patient. I think I went into overdrive at the end!”

Course date:  15 – 16 September 2012
Cost:                £130 per person
Location:         Woodland Play Centre, Crowcombe, Somerset
Start/Finish time (both days): 9.00 am – 4.30 pm.

Please bring a packed lunch and a mug. Hot/cold drinks/biscuits provided.
The course leader is George Yeomans, a qualified Teacher, Bushcraft Instructor and Forest School Leader.
For more information or to book a place contact:
Mountain & Bushcraft Ways   www.guidingonskye.co.uk   e-mail: gyeomans2@aol.com  Tel: 01478 650380

___________________________________________

Please contact Louise for more information on 07775 941353 or email info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk
Many thanks

Louise

Calling all adventurous 12 year olds & over....

Time is running out, as are the summer holidays! With only one week left of activities in the woods, here is a reminder of what is in store next week.....

Wet and Wild Adventure Camp....Take 2!  

Due to the success of the last Wet & Wild Adventure Camp, we are offering another three days and two nights of woodland adventure, challenges and coastal activities....again all for a reduced rate of £150.00 per person.

Wednesday 29th from 1000hrs to Friday 31st August 1800hrs. What better way to end your summer holidays!

There are still a few spaces left for anyone who is 12years and over, so do not let this super "epic" opportunity pass you by!! If you are 10 years & over and think you would like to give it ago...you can!!

Woodland Playschemes

Go Wild
Tuesday 28^th August              Shelter Building

The Woodland Playschemes are for children ages 8 years and over. Occasionally under 8’s can attend to please speak to Louise if you request this service. Unless it states otherwise, they are all 1000 – 1600hrs and cost £20 per child, per day. You can book one day at a time or as many as you like. Why not consider it a childcare option whilst you work, shop or play? There is the option of EARLY BIRD and NIGHT OWL, where children can be dropped off from 0900hrs and collected anytime up to 1700hrs. This option is an additional £5.00 each, per child, per day.

ALL EVENTS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.

Feel free to forward this post to any colleagues and friends, so they too can subscribe and get exciting updates about forthcoming adventures!

Keep up with our blog, latest news, photos and events on our woodland Facebook page thewoodlandplaycentre@groups.facebook.com

Contact Louise for more information on 07775 941353 or email info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

Adventure & Childcare....

Adventure & Childcare are not usually two words that are associated together, but here they seem to be!

As you maybe aware, throughout the Summer Holidays there is a suite of adventures, projects and days to entertain you and your children, grand children, nieces, nephews and friends!

We have had a smashing start with some successful events such as the Mad Hatters Tea Party, a great turn out, the weather was kind, great games and super fancy dress. 

Then there was National Playday, an event held in our village (not the woods) where 240 children and goodness knows how many adults came to play and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Campaign to support children's right to play.

This week finally saw the first Wet & Wild Adventure Camp get off the ground, it has been talked about for years, so it was smashing to hear the young people describe it as "awesome, epic, scary, brilliant, the best...etc etc" and want to do it every holiday for the whole holiday...see where I am coming from when i mentioned Adventure and Childcare!! I am stunned at how much we crammed in to three days..topped off with Fish & Chips on the last night on a quiet headland watching dolphins feast in the shores below us...just MAGIC!

So with that behind us, other than the memories that will be with us all for a long time, we are looking forward to the next part of the Summer Holidays and what events we have to entertain and occupy your children!

We have coming up the Woodland Playschemes and another...yes another Wet & Wild Adventure Camp!

 

Wet and Wild Adventure Camp....Take 2!   

Due to the success of the Wet & Wild Adventure Camp this week, we are offering another three days and two nights of woodland adventure, challenges and coastal activities....again all for a reduced rate of £150.00 per person. 

 

Wednesday 29th from 1000hrs to Friday 31st August 1800hrs. What better way to end your summer holidays! 

Wednesday 29th we will be in the woods & hopefully there will be an opportunity to get stuck in and help to make an earth / pizza oven (fingers crossed). Those people that still want to come for the day and just that, that is fine! 

Thursday 30th will be all about great heights and challenges! With a Wild Night Camp out....again if people want to come for just that, they can. Or maybe the Wednesday night maybe more suitable as there won't be the early start in the morning!! Ideally, for the group to bond it is better to engage in all of it, rather than dipping in and out, but we can be flexible.  As we can be on the age! 

Friday 31st will be all about water and coastal explorations!  

 




Sign up now, as there will be limited spaces!!

Woodland Playschemes

Run Wild
Tuesday 14^th August             Capture the flag chaos
Wednesday 15^th August      Tracking with trepidation!

Make it Wild

Monday 20^th August        Whittling Whistles
Tuesday 21^st August         Bows and Arrows

Thursday 23rd August     Floating boats & rafts

Go Wild
Tuesday 28^th August             Shelter Building
Wednesday 29^th August      Camp Cooking

Wild Night Out!

Thursday 30^th August;    Finish the summer in true wild style with an overnight camp in the woods! Play torch tag, see and hear what happens in the woods at night, cook a feast on the campfire and tell stories! £30 per child. 1800hrs on Thursday 30^th August to 0900hrs on Friday 31st August

Unless it states otherwise, all playscheme days are 1000 - 1600hrs and cost £20 per child, per day.

The Woodland Playschemes are for children aged 8 years and over, occasionally under 8's, please enquire

You can book one day at a time or as many as you like.

Why not consider it as a childcare option whilst you work, shop or play?

There is also the option of an EARLY BIRD and NIGHT OWL, where children can be dropped off from 0900hrs and collected anytime up to 1700hrs. This option is an additional £5.00 each, per child, per day.

All events and days must be booked in advance

REDUCED PRICE for the Adventure Camp

The WET AND WILD ADVENTURE CAMP is only a week away....

There are still places left for the Adventure Camp and.....we have REDUCED THE PRICE!!

We are now offering places for £150 all in.
Three days of activities, two over night camps in the woods with Active Escape and Woodland Play Centre....it can not get better than that!

Starting Tuesday 7th August at 1000hrs until Thursday 9th August at 1600hrs.

We can be a little bit flexible on the age, it is ideally aimed at those 10 and over, so do contact us if you are interested. It will be a truly awesome and memorable week!

We will be camping in the woods, cooking all meals on the open fire, camp craft skills, navigation games, surfing, coastal scrambling, night games and generally having a good time!

Contact Louise to book.