Wild Explorers! Outdoor Learning & Forest School for Families
For families who want to learn and grow together
​​Register your ​interest  here 

 Wild Explorers is a FREE project for lower income families in Taunton, especially the Halcon, Lambrook and Lane and Priorswood areas.  This is thanks to funding from Somerset Community Foundation & the Early Help Fund. 

We want to work with families who feel ready for some change. To get outside more, to get healthier, to find ways to get through life ups and downs. To give space to your children and to yourself so that you can grow together. And all outdoors. 

Is that you? 

In the pandemic, more people have learned that being in nature is a good thing.   Playing outside is really healthy for kids and can help parents to relax!   Especially if you can feel safe and are with people who know about the outdoors and can guide you. We are also good at making tea and coffee, cooking on the campfire and making stuff.  

We're also used to working with families who may be going through difficulties or stressful times, so we have ideas and techniques for calming, relaxing and listening. We don't judge, we stand alongside and help you find your own way. 
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Are we eligible?  
These sessions are funded so they are FREE. We are aiming that at families who are really stretched. So that is you if one of your children is on free school meals, or you often don’t have enough money to make ends meet each week, or you struggle to buy new clothes for the children, and you can't afford treats like cinema, or coffees out. We know how tough it can be, so these sessions are there to give families a real treat, some positive time together and to help create memories and stories that help everyone get through the difficulties. 
 
(If you can afford to pay for treats and time outside, then look at some of our other projects or email us and ask whats available.)

Ready to learn a bit about nature and get confident with taking your kids outdoors?
- Come to a Woodland Forest Fun Taster session.
These short sessions give you a taste of what it's like to spend a day in the woods. Come and explore the place, get to know the team, play a few games or make something. There will be tea/coffee and snacks, clean loos and places to sit. 

Have you been to the woods before? Or ready to come for longer?
- Sign up for a 6-week Explorer Group
We encourage families who have been to the woods, or tried a Taster session, to come for six weeks. - they will be at weekends and in the holidays. Then everyone becomes familiar with the place, each other , the routine and can make the most of what is on offer. We will work towards the John Muir Award, which is fun for the kids and gives us all a sense of achievement. 

Each session will include:
 -Circle time around the campfire at the start and end
 - An explore walk through the wilder woods with games or den-building 
​ - Crafts using natural materials
 - Cooking together on the campfire
 - Free play, exploring the camp area & mud kitchen
​ - Learning about plants and animals of the forest

We can provide waterproof coats and leggings for most ages for the session, so don't let the weather put you off!

 
 

This projects is wholly funded through Somerset Community Foundation, who have supproted our work at different times over the years. Find out more about them here

Dates and Times  2021

Forest Fun  
Introductory/Taster sessions
Dates to be set for Summer Holidays 2021
Bookings link here (contact us first and will give you the code to book for free)

6-week 'Explorer Group'
Six session dates starts on Sat May 1st and is fortnightly for six sessions.
1st May
15th May
29th May
12th June
26th June
​10th July 
 
We ask families to attend all six Saturdays. 



Contact Us 
​To let us know you are interested  please contact Jenny Archard
jenny@nerochewoodlanders.org
07541 080397 
or Sarah Holdway 
sarah@nerochewoodlanders.org
​07784 800641


Transport will be provided (with social distancing and buses being cleaned between passenger uses) with pick-up points in Priorswood and Halcon.
Face-coverings must be worn by all adults. 

Our woodlands are home to roe deer, badgers, foxes, squirrels and other mammals. These carry ticks which can bite humans, so we recommend long trousers, proper shoes/boots and tops you can tuck in.  We will provide insect replant to prevent them biting.  Special attention needs to be paid to small children and in long grass/sedge. 

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Information to download before first visit:
Before you visit download this:
What to Expect and Covid19

If you get bitten by a tick please read this leaflet before you remove it. 
Ticks & Lyme disease Leaflet 
​lda_ticks_and_lyme_disease.pdf