Skelton Grange Environment Centre in Stourton is to host a number of new and exciting ways for kids to get out and about over the summer. Each new session is aimed at getting children off the sofa and into the fresh air – to explore nature, to play games, to have fun – giving a whole host of health benefits along the way.
This year Skelton Grange hopes to take their already very popular Bushcraft events for kids forward with two additional new types of events.
The Bushcraft – Into the Wilderness events are two-day camping events for 10-14 year olds involving camp cooking, games, fire lighting, crafts, storytelling and general mayhem and madness in the woods. These events will take place off the normal Skelton site and the kids will build their own shelters to spend the night in the woods.
The Skelton Rangers summer play scheme takes things a step further with a full five days worth of activities, including an optional sleep-over on the Thursday night. This event is to be held at the centre, Monday-Friday, and is ALL about getting outside. The team aim to be out in the fresh air for most of the day, every day, and activities will include games, walks, fire lighting, crafts, den building, nature study and camp cooking.
Ralph Walker, Project Administrator at the centre said:
“We are really excited by these new events – it’s a real chance to take things a little further from our already very popular Bushcraft events. It’s an opportunity for the children to develop some new crafts, and have a lot of fun along the way. The kids really seem to get so much from it and it makes a big change from sitting in front of the TV playing computer games.”
The opportunities to get involved in the centre do not end there either. The Conservation Volunteers, the charity that runs Skelton Grange, has received funding to provide nine Environmental Discovery days for groups in South Leeds over the summer holidays. So if you fancy bringing your group for an exciting day filled with team games, pond dipping, minibeast hunting, environmental crafts and nature trails, then get in touch with the centre. These days are suitable for 5-11 year olds, and will run from 10am until 2:30pm roughly and, as with all activities run by the centre, are lead by experienced and DBS checked TCV staff and volunteers.
The centre aims to promote an understanding of environmental issues to children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities, demonstrating environmental good practice. It also aims to be a place where children can have a lot of fun in the outdoors, learning new skills and leaving them keen for more adventure. Since opening in 1992, well over 100,000 people have visited the centre and it now has a national reputation for excellence and innovation in the field.
For more information or to make a booking try visiting Skelton Grange’s website: www.tcv.org.uk/skeltongrange or drop them an email at skelton@tcv.org.uk
