Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
Forest School Programme
FREE FOREST PROGRAMME
The free varied sessions encourage learning in a woodland environment from hands-on experiences, this can range from outdoor play, using tools, building dens, fire lighting, cooking, woodland games and crafts and other outdoor activities which are both designed by the leader and instigated by the children themselves.
The Forest School Programme provides opportunities for children, young people and communities, particularly those from socially deprived and segregated areas of the borough, with different abilities and cultural backgrounds, to explore our natural environment, play, learn and socialise together. As the children journey through Forest School, building a sense of independence, high self-esteem and social/communication skills are important parts of the programme as well as developing a broader understanding of the natural environment in which they live.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF AND HIGH DEMAND FOR PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES, PARTICIPANTS CAN ONLY BOOK INTO ONE LOCATION.
What is the Forest School Programme?
The Forest Schools Programme supports outdoor, nature-based learning that focuses on the holistic development of the child, using this medium to support their developmental needs, encourage conversation and build relationships between people in outdoor natural spaces regardless of ability or the community in which they live.
- Providing opportunities for children, young people and communities to explore together and learn about each other through dialogue in outdoor spaces.
- Promoting and improving the relationships between and across communities through dialogue in a safe alternative and creative space.
- Enhancing children’s capacity for positive development by giving them access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.
- Using practical and playful activities to encourage children and young people to explore their understanding of difference.
What is the aim of the Forest School Programme?
The Forest School Programme is open to participants from all communities, though there is a strong focus on recruiting/inviting children from marginalised and isolated groups and/or from areas of high deprivation and BME communities across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area. Participants will take part in the onsite Forest School Dialogue Programme at Oxford Island.
The Forest School uses natural resources for inspiration, to enable ideas and to encourage intrinsic motivation. The focus is on promoting positive physical and mental health and wellbeing and providing opportunities for all participants of the programme to take part in activities designed to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue; this is achieved through delivery of the programme in green and woodland environments.
Are there any prerequisites for the programme?
- Participants must be aged 8-12 years.
- Participants should NOT have previously participated in a PEACE IV programme or been part of a similar funded programme.
- All participants must be resident in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.
- Participants must be able to commit to all seven sessions
When does the Forest School programme take place?
FOREST SCHOOL SCHEDULE. July – October 2021
Gosford – Tuesdays
| Age group 4-11 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 20/07/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 2 | 27/07/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 3 | 03/08/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 4 | 10/08/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 5 | 17/08/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 6 | 24/08/2021 | 1pm – 4pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| Celebratory Event | Sat 28/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Gosford Forest Park |
Gosford – Wednesdays
| Age group 4-11years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 15/09/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 2 | 22/09/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 3 | 29/09/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 4 | 06/10/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 5 | 13/10/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| 6 | 20/10/2021 | 3.30pm – 6pm | Gosford Forest Park |
| Celebratory Event | Sat 23/10/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Gosford Forest Park |
Oxford Island – (Summer Camp)
| Age 4 to 8 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 Summer Camp | 02/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
| 2 Summer Camp | 04/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
| 3 Summer Camp | 06/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
| 4 Summer Camp | 09/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
| 5 Summer Camp | 11/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
| 6 Summer Camp | 13/08/2021 | 10am – 1pm | Oxford Island |
Oxford Island – Tuesdays
| Ages 6 to 10 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 14/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| 2 | 21/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| 3 | 28/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| 4 | 05/10/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| 5 | 12/10/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| 6 | 19/10/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.45pm | Oxford Island |
| Spooky time in the woods/Celebratory Event | Sat 23/10/2021 | TBC | Oxford Island |
City Park Craigavon – Tannaghmore Farm – Fridays
| Ages 7 to 11 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 23/07/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
| 2 | 30/07/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
| 3 | 06/08/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
| 4 | 13/08/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
| 5 | 20/08/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
| 6 Saturday | 04/09/2021 | 1.30pm – 4pm | Craigavon Lakes / Tannaghmore |
Lurgan Park – Tuesdays
| Ages 4 to 6 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 27/07/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
| 2 | 03/08/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
| 3 | 10/08/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
| 4 | 17/08/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
| 5 | 24/08/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
| 6 | 31/08/2021 | 10am – 12:30pm | Lurgan Park |
City Park Craigavon – Tannaghmore Farm – Thursdays
| Age group 7 to 11 years | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 02/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
| 2 | 09/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
| 3 | 16/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
| 4 | 23/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
| 5 | 30/09/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
| 6 | 07/10/2021 | 3.45pm – 6.30pm | South Lakes / City Park |
Darkley Forest – Wednesdays
| Age 7 to 11 year olds | |||
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
| 1 | 28/07/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
| 2 | 04/08/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
| 3 | 11/08/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
| 4 | 18/08/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
| 5 | 25/08/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
| 6 | 01/09/21 | 4.00pm – 7.00pm | Darkley Forest |
How much does the programme cost?
The programme, including all workshops and events, is completely FREE of charge.
What is the closing date for applications?
What is the Peace IV Programme?
The PEACE IV Programme is a cross-border initiative, financed through the European Union and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It has been designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. In addition to supporting peace and reconciliation, the Programme also contributes to the promotion of social and economic stability, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.
Our programmes are about bringing people and communities together and providing opportunities to engage within and across communities through a series of projects, activities and events.