An ideal way for children to enjoy the countryside.
Most of you reading this will be involved in business in some shape or form. We suspect that you’ve probably got a few years on the clock! Many of you will have families.
We also suspect that the upbringing which your children are experiencing will be different from what you had. Thanks to the computer age, many children return from school and head straight into their bedrooms to join the internet world.
When did they last go for a proper walk? When did they last learn about nature? Or mess about building a camp fire? Or have the thrill of cooking outside or even trying to catch some sticklebacks and tadpoles?
For some of your children, the answer will be…never.
Which is what Melanie Crammond is trying to put right with her new venture, Go Wild in the Woods.
“I had a life-changing experience when I lost a baby at 34 weeks,” said Melanie. “I was working in the construction industry as a construction manager at the time but, after I lost Gabriel, I decided to pursue a different career. Whilst on leave, I decided to do a forest school course and qualified as a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner. I continued working in construction until 2024. I have since then been working at an outdoor alternative provision in the region attended by neurodivergent children, home educated children and those with behavioural issues. However, I thought that it was time to go it alone and Go Wild in the Woods was born.”
Everything takes place at Thorneyford Farm at Kirkley, which is only a few miles north of Newcastle, and there’s plenty for children (and adults) of all ages to do. Those children which have learning or behavioural difficulties will find a day at Go Wild in the Woods particularly beneficial. It’s terrific fun for everyone.as well as being a chance to get hands-on with nature.
“We have events running weekly and during the school holidays, such as holiday clubs, youth clubs on a Sunday once per month which is for children without parents, stay and play sessions for under 5’s, neurodivergent family sessions and birthday parties. At Go Wild in the Woods children enjoy some free play to start with and then we get them involved in mud kitchens, arts and crafts, bird feeding and generally having a great time in the outdoors.
During holiday clubs, we set them various challenges in the woods and also take them to the stream which runs close to the woodland area. We do outdoor cooking where the children not only cook the food, they also help to prepare it too. The day ends with us toasting marshmallows over the fire and enjoying a s’more.”
The holiday clubs start at 9.30 and run until 2.30 with a charge of £30 per day.
The events for under 5s and neurodivergent sessions cost £12 per session.
Melanie is also setting-up future events where companies can enjoy a corporate day out. Special events will take place at Christmas time plus additional events for single parents, school visits and more!
Oh, and if you’re worried about the weather
if it rains, the events still go ahead as planned. There is no such thing as bad weather
just bad clothing!
Go Wild in the Woods…where children of all ages and abilities can find themselves.
If you’d like to find out what’s on and when, go onto… bookwhen.com/gowildinthewoods and you’ll then see what’s coming up. Alternatively, you can email mel@gowildinthewoods.co.uk with any questions or queries.