Nature Rangers
Nature Rangers is a practical, skills based outdoor learning programme for home educated & flexi-schooled children aged 6+.
Each session is led by experienced Forest School practitioners and gives children opportunities to learn, practise and progressively develop a broad range of practical outdoor skills. Rather than simply providing outdoor activities, we teach children how to use techniques safely and effectively, building independence and competence over time.
A Progressive Approach
Children do not need to arrive with any previous experience. We introduce skills at an appropriate starting point and support children to practise, consolidate and progress them over time. For example, a child might begin by learning how to hold and use a palm drill safely, progress to drilling accurately and independently, and later combine drilling with sawing, joining and design skills to complete their own woodworking project.
Similarly, den building develops from learning simple knots and understanding strong structures to planning and constructing shelters that can meet particular challenges, such as being stable, weather-resistant or large enough for a group.
Following Children's Interests
Nature Rangers retains an important Forest School principle: learning is responsive to the interests, abilities and emerging needs of the children.
The direction may be responsive, but the purpose remains the same: to teach, practise and progressively develop practical outdoor skills.
Our team adapts projects and challenges to the group rather than following a rigid weekly curriculum. A fascination with insects might develop into identification and field study skills; an interest in building might lead to increasingly sophisticated tool work, knotting and construction.
Children have time to explore, experiment and enjoy being outdoors, while skilled adults introduce techniques, set practical challenges, model safe practice and support each learner towards increasing competence, confidence and independence.