In the Essex Country Parks Outdoor Learning Team you will find a group of individuals wholly committed to helping connect people with nature. Climbing trees, damming streams, den building and playing in a muddy ditch are all part of the popular Wild Wednesday programme, which is designed to promote unstructured free play. Children are given the chance to be free through bare foot walking (and not just on sunny days!). The team explain to adult participants that it is things like this that are lost amongst the pressures of growing up in the 21st century. The ‘Keep off the Grass’ era is long gone; the team actively encourage adults to share their memories of playing outside with the younger generation and build foundations for engagement with nature for years to come.
A range of other activities, days and events, from Dinosaur Day, to and Environmental Art Day capture the imagination and inspire visitors. There activities also have a curriculum base, incorporating numeracy and literacy concepts while also boasting confidence and promoting children's personal and social development. In August, the Team ran 'Starting School’ sessions to help bring children and parents of new classes together, with an emphasis on friendship, communication, independence and social skills. It is inspiring how the team’s commitment extends into the school holidays, to large community events and beyond.
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom were impressed by the outstanding innovation of this team, who are never shy to take on new technology and utilise them to their advantage and that of their beautiful parks. Their ethos is ‘resource free where possible’ which is ideal for teachers who can repeat activities back at school with no additional costs or equipment restrictions.
Want to reconnect with nature? Check out our top rated outdoor destinations and use our trip planning system, to work out the perfect day.
