Nature Explorers: Summer Club 2023 — Andover Trees United

This summer, between 21st August and the 1st September, Andover Trees United (ATU) ran a very successful summer club called Nature Explorers. A long term goal of the charity is to set up a regular summer activities programme for children of all ages and abilities within the local community. This summer was a two week trial programme that was made possible by a generous grant from Social Farms & Gardens. It was run by our Nature and Community Officers, and several members of our youth team.

The Nature Explorers were split into three separate age groups (Bumble Bees – Age 3-6, Dormice – Age 7-10, Oaks – Age 11-16), this enabled ATU to plan and deliver activities directly aimed at specific age groups. Our luck with the weather allowed most of our activities to be outside, using our wood (created and planted by local school children). On the odd day that the weather was too atrocious, the portacabin and gazebos were utilised.

The first week of the two-week programme focused on the colours in nature surrounding us; this included a wildflower walk, pebble painting, mud painting, creating natural paintbrushes, a sensory scavenger hunt and natural weaving for 3–6 year old Bumble Bees. The Dormice (7-10 year olds) had the opportunity to learn tree ID, create leaf art, natural dyeing, sewing a wall hanging, making a woodland dreamcatcher, mini garden in a jar and fabric hammering. The older Oaks (11-16 year olds) created their own dyes and learned the skills of map reading and orienteering.

As we moved into the second week, the focus changed and turned into the wild! Our youngest group (Bumble Bees) looked at Stick Man (a story by Julia Donaldson) and went on their own stick nature journey; making a stick man along the way. The second week also gave them the chance to investigate the minibeasts in the wood and make their own clay minibeasts, before finishing their week with a teddy bear’s picnic and the creation of their own flower crown. The Dormice made an insect hotel, created clay friends for a tree, made a bird feeder and bird nest, dipped our pond to find out who is living there, and finally created some beautiful dragonfly art. Our eldest learners (Oaks) learnt the skill of willow weaving, creating a beautiful, twisted bird feeder. All of these activities were intertwined with nature-based circle games, allowing the children to simply enjoy spending a fun time outside.

We has some wonderful feedback from the two weeks; one parent said,

“My daughters and I had a wonderful morning at Harmony Woods spending time with the guides, looking at the variety of wildflowers and using them to make lovely craft pictures. I think it was a brilliant, educational, well organised, low cost activity which the children thoroughly enjoyed. They even had their first experience using a compost toilet!
All of the volunteers were lovely and approachable – the girls were having some great conversation with my inquisitive daughter...I particularly liked reading the book too – that was a nice touch.”

Another mentioned,

“The whole set up was brilliant and well run.”

Their Nature Explorer said,

“I liked all of the workshops the best and I can't decide which one I liked the most. I felt really comfortable with the people who were in charge. I would love to do it again.”

We were delighted with all comments and feedback received from all participants, and can’t wait to organise another club next summer. Perhaps you have a Nature Explorer that would like to attend? Watch this space for updates!

Nature Explorers is made possible by National Lottery Reaching Communities and Social Farms & Gardens grants. We are grateful to all players of National Lottery, without whom this grant would not have been possible.