Forest School Adventure (part 10)

The last two days haven't really involved Forest School, but the have involved exploring, hiking, and nature!

Saturday a group of us volunteers took the boat from St. Mary's over to Tresco and visited the Gardens there.

The garden is home to many trees and plants that seem tropical in the UK, it has amazing views out onto the island it is planted on, the sea and islands around it, and of its own vistas.

It also has the friendliest Golden Pheasants I have ever met AND the most adorable red squirrels!


Having wandered the garden we strolled the coast, had lunch, and hiked back to the jetty in the nick of time for the last boat!


Today, Sunday, we climbed back on one of the many boats that ferry people between the islands that make up Scilly and sailed to Bryher. 

We made use of one of the many honesty huts and started our walk with home made cinnamon buns, and an artist's open studio, before exploring coves and bays, a little sea swimming, and a wander to the bustling fete.


We sneaked off to Fraggle Rock Cafe for lunch (the BEST fish finger 'hot dog' and cheesy chips ever!) Before two of us finished the hike around the entire island. We ended up back at the fete listening to the cover bands before a little beach combing while awaiting the boat back.

There have been no children involved!

But there has been a love of exploring, plenty of rock clambering nature investigation, breathtaking views, amazing creatures, sun, mist, drizzle, breezes, heat, cloud, and dramatic coasts!

Our nature appreciation  and nature connection has strengthened, our knowledge is a little better, our understanding is growing, and our belief that the children need their curiosity fostered, supported, and encouraged, is being validated by our own experiences!

We cannot offer the opportunities we are experiencing here to all children. We wont find dolphins, Red Squirrels, or Golden Pheasants at Chartham! We don't have stunning, golden, deserted beaches in walking distance! We can't spend six hours hiking around an island.

What we can do is offer local experiences with Kent wildflowers, with trees on the school grounds, encouraging the wdlife that visits us. 

And we can do this weekly for all.

It's a pretty good start!


Location: United Kingdom

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