Bush Kids Summer Holiday Program

When children immerse themselves in nature, they explore, discover, take risks and learn about themselves, others, and the natural world.

Session times:

Morning: 9am - 12pm

Afternoon: 12pm - 3pm

Full day: 9am - 3pm

For children aged 5 - 12yrs old

Drop-off available for children 7yrs and older although care givers are welcome to attend. Children 6 years and younger must be supervised by a caregiver unless discussed by prior arrangement.

We follow the forest school philosophy where we provide the time and space for children to learn new skills through play. The aim is to promote children’s holistic development, which in turn fosters resilient, confident, independent, and creative learners. Benefits of which include: social and emotional development, physical fitness, love of nature, improved mental health, learning by experience, and exposure to manageable risk.

Session activities may include:

Bush and creek exploring

Nature craft

Bow and arrow making

Raft building

Shelter building

Swimming and wading

Whittling

Natural weaving and so much more.

Daily activities vary depending on the weather, age group, interests. We normally have a large supply of resources for many different activities and help children work into a project. There is also plenty of unstructured time for free play in nature.

Location:

Our activity site is right beside a creek and waterhole surrounded by native bushland and remnant rainforest. Children can climb trees, explore a defined area, and wade or swim in the waterhole beside our camp. Whenever there are children in the water we have a dedicated supervising staff person watching over them. Depending on the season we can also pick wild mulberries and harvest natural materials for our nature craft projects.

What to wear:

Clothes that will get wet and dirty

Creek shoes- although there may be times where kids are encouraged to go barefoot

Sun hat

Pack in a daypack:

Water bottle

Morning/afternoon tea and lunch if staying the whole day

Swimmers, rashie, small towel

Raincoat (if rain is forecast)

Spare change of clothes

Sunscreen and insect repellent (no sprays please)

Flotation vest- The waterhole is up to 2.5m deep in places and about 25m across. If your child would have difficulty swimming or paddling across this they need to wear a flotation vest for your peace of mind and ours.