Woodland Adventures

[Gemini]

I am not new to Bushbabies woodland adventure classes, as OH and I took GD a couple of time when she was smaller.
GS1 has been several times, but not with me.
On Friday DD1 and I are taking 4 children, including GS, to a class.
It is 4 years since I was there , I am looking forward to it.
I will report back

https://www.thewoodlandadventurecompany.co.uk/

[Clover]

Sounds fun Daisy. My GS loves this sort of thing.

[Oma]

That sounds ideal for little ones , I bet they have a lovely day and will want to go back

[Gemini]

I just hope GS behaves himself! He is good when we take him out, but not always if Mummy is there, and it is possible he will show off with the other 3 there.
I am keeping a positive frame of mind about it though

[Daisy]

Gem - it looks a wonderful experience for a wide range of ages. I bet you'll love it!!!

I'm sure GS1 will rise to the occasion - there will e so much going on he probably won't have time to show off, and if he does that's fine too - he might encourage a less brave child to have a go at something.

There's something about woods though - marvellous playground for children. When our GSs were younger whenever they came to stay they always wanted to go on an early morning 'Jungle Bash'. This involved getting up at dawn and going off into the Forest looking for everything from dragons to ponies! I remember one day giving them a list of animals to find, or signs of them, and said if they were very, very clever they might even see a deer. GS2 was about 6 at the time and right near the end of our walk he spotted one through the trees! I've never seen a child so proud of himself, and of course he got lots of praise!

[Gemini]

Decorating stick swords with feathers and pine cones, secured by elastic bands, after whittling them was the start of the fun. 'You can take your sword home as long as you don't hit anyone with it' was the promise
We were hunting for dragons, led by Adam. We went through the woods, being very careful not to trigger the trip wires (something like coke shoots out if you do! ) We found a sleeping stone dragon, and covered his eyes with moss so we could open the fairy door below him. There we found the dragon potion which we would need later to make rockets. A little further into the woods and we saw orange dragon smoke!! We could then creep round and look though little glass panel beneath the leaves and see part of a sleeping dragon. A few children were too afraid to do this bit!
Another trail led us to golden coins on the ground. The children picked them up when they spotted them, but were encouraged to leave plenty for others if they were quick spotters. Once back at the fire the coins would be used to pay for hot chocolate, popcorn and marshmallows.
Before that we made rockets. Children were given a laminate showing what to look for. In this case, silver birch bark, moss, pine cones and I can't remember the 4th thing! Each group (we were a group of 4 children) had a plastic glass , into which they put their finds. Adam then added a blue liquid. He then came around and added a few drops of the dragon potion which we had collected earlier, to each glass. In turn he took the contents put the into rocket made from plastic lemonade bottle and set it all up. When all was ready, the child or children pulled back a rope and the rockets launched way up into the trees and down again. I remember this from when we took GD, and all seem to enjoy rocket making!
Time to gather and drink hot chocolate around the fire. Adam popped corn which was shared out, then children could go up one by one and toast 2 marshmallows each on wooden skewers. Assisted safely by Adam! They could then toast one each for the adults with them, so I got one.
All our 4 children were very good and enjoyed it, as did we adults. I made it my mission to watch the 3 year old like hawk, for fear of losing him! His sister, 6 was actually very protective of him, which helped.

A lovely morning, followed by a short drive, with the children split between my car and DD's, to a farm shop with cafe and play area. We ate outside, despite intermittent showers, and the kids ran around and had fun. We stayed there until DD's friends were able to collect their 2 children.

I will take my younger grandson here when he is older, I'm sure he will enjoy it.
There are fairy sessions, Gruffallo sessions, and several others, so families can go several times without repeating the theme.

[Daisy]

Gem - it sounds like an active and curious child's paradise. Wonderful, and I'm sure the children were buzzing with excitement.