by Forest School Association | 5 May, 2017 | Conference
Keynote speaker at 2014 national conference Jay Griffiths’s question is simple: why do our children feel so unhappy? Her main answer lies in the title of her new book, Kith. Now used only in the phrase ‘kith and kin’, the word has come to mean...
by Forest School Association | 5 May, 2017 | Learning and development, Members' news
Dr Margot Sunderland was a keynote speaker at the 2013 Forest School Association national conference. You can listen to her talk on ‘Neuroscience and Forest School’ in the YouTube video below. Dr Sunderland is the author of many books including ‘What...
by Forest School Association | 4 Apr, 2017 | FSA produced guidance notes, FSA Resources, Guidance Note
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by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Practical skills, Shelter building
This is a useful free standing den design for sites that may be limited in naturally occurring den resources. Be aware! You may find yourself choosing your own Christmas tree based on how well it keeps its needles with a mind to filling in a den wall rather than...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Practical skills, Shelter building
We all need shelter whether for ourselves, our imaginary friends or animal kingdom. Our needs are both psychological and practical. Sustainable shelter building is a terrific experience to offer Forest School participants to develop physically, creatively and...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Knots and lashings, Practical skills
Learning a variety of knots/lashings with their applications and ability to be able to successfully tie one thing to another is a fantastic life skill to pass on to all participants (adults included!) at your Forest School. From a simple timber hitch to the more...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Guidance Note, Hand tools, Practical skills
When using hand tools it is important to ensure the work is securely clamped or braced, so that it is not necessary for the tool user (or helper) hands to be close to where the tool action is taking place. It is also important that the work is up off the ground, so...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Guidance Note, Hand tools, Practical skills
It is the Forest School Leader`s responsibility to develop their own tool use to be confident, competent and safe when working with traditional tools and to be able to pass on that knowledge and skill to enable Forest School participants if and when ready, to develop...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Campfire Cooking, Fire lighting and management, Guidance Note, Practical skills
Fires of all different kinds may form part of Forest School provision – all the way from little 5-minutes fires to large-scale roasting fires. They might occur every session, rarely or never. The irregularity of fire use in many Forest School programmes means that...
by Forest School Association | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Fire lighting and management, Practical skills
Birch bark naturally has resinous oils within it, making it a fantastic resource for firelighting. The burning bark is also reasonably effective as an insect repellent. Collection – Birch naturally sheds its outer bark in papery strips. Look for a tree that is...
