Stomping Grounds Forest School

Suzanne’s at our site in Chopwell waiting for St Aidens to arrive. Year 2 are learning all about habitats. Don’t forget we offer one off curriculum linked workshops. If your school would like to book send us a pm.

Resounding success at Chopwell Youth Club last night. Splitting wood, sawing and mallet making, blue beeswax dipped pinecones and leaves, then of course pancakes!
Merging groups has benefited all, one bigger central fire to keep us warm and time for more activities.

Another really simple way to donate to our charitable causes, and it doesn’t cost you a penny! Register with easy fundraising and you’ll be asked if you want to donate whenever you shop at eligible shops online.
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes /giftofthewild/
... Thanks for your support!
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You might look out of your window this morning and thing ‘ugh, it’s an indoor day today’. Whilst there’s a lot to be said for getting the fire on and snuggling with a warm drink, I’m also going to suggest you embrace the start of winter. I’m heading out for an organised walk this afternoon. Planning it with others makes me go, whatever the weather. Stops me watching the rain from behind glass. I know I’ll feel so energised afterwards, and will enjoy the fire and hot drink so ...much more!
It’s the same for our children. If we restrict their outdoor play to sunny days, we limit their opportunity. Especially in this country! And as the evenings get darker, time for after school outdoor play is limited too. (Reminder to parents-most primaries let kids play indoors at break time when it’s raining).
Book some time to get outdoors this weekend. Even if it’s for an hour splashing puddles. Kids need it!
If you want something a bit more organised, with a fire for drying wet gloves, we have events at Birkheads this Saturday.
10.30-12.30 for over 5s, grown ups don’t need to stay
1.30-3 for under 6s and their families
Message us or visit bookwhen.com/stompinggrounds for bookings
Get out there....whatever the weather
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New Life, Christmas and the New Year - https://mailchi.mp/fe2b…/new-life-chris tmas-and-the-new-year

Monday morning Forest School sessions for Under 5s. Running Monday mornings 10.30-12.00 starting 7th January for 5 weeks. Come along and enjoy the wild that is Chopwell Community Woodland (note - NOT Chopwell Woods!), play games, learn about nature, develop gross and fine motor skills, splash in the mud, toast marshmallows, relax in a hammock, build dens, listen to stories, sing songs, develop and grow as a family and as a community. 5 week block = £37.50 per child inc bookin...g fees. Sibling discounts available. Babes in arms free. Suitable for children who are starting to walk, up to school age. More details email forestschoolne@gmail.com or ring/text 07540 753955.
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Join us at the Community Woodland in Chopwell to get in the festive spirit. We’ll be using natural resources and hand tools to make Christmas decorations, having a fire and enjoying some child friendly mulled wine.
Suitable for all children and their grown ups, fun for all ages, £10 for 1 child and their adult, £16 sibling discount, £5 additional adult.
Bring some lunch! You’re welcome to cook on the fire, but let us know before hand or bring or own pans!

Hi guys, if you shop via this portal when shopping online, Stomping Grounds receives donations at no extra cost to yourself. We use these donations to continue our work with children and families who couldn’t otherwise access forest school. Thanks, and spread the word
https://www.thegivingmachine.co.uk/…/st omping-grounds-fore…/

Give the gift of adventure this Christmas. We have vouchers available. Visit bookwhen.com/stompinggrounds or message us for info

Morris the Mankiest Monster was back in action on Friday at Washingwell Primary, looking for some friends - such an all-consuming sensory experience for those kids who delved inside his ears, nose and mouth! Some of the Y2 children said they weren't allowed to do 'this kind of thing' at home and loved being given the time to squish the pumpkin flesh in their hands, ping the seeds, mix a pumpkin potion for Morris, feed him mud soup. Others made him a house, a bed and swung him in the hammock.

A week tomorrow Come along with your under 6s, get your daily fix of fresh air, play games, read stories, sing songs. No block booking required, perfect for working parents and those who can’t commit to a full term

Tomorrow, we have drop in tickets available. For 5-12 year olds without their grown up. Think there’s some tree planting happening amongst other things such as fire, food, games and crafts

What a wonderful idea!

Are you struggling to think of good gifts for your children? Do you want to avoid more plastic, more toys, more stuff? Are you a conscious consumer? Would you like to support a local social enterprise this Christmas whilst giving the gift of nature? As we approach the season of giving, we are offering vouchers for our Forest School clubs. Redeemable throughout 2019, you can buy under 5s, saturday club (5-12 years), family fun sessions or a generic voucher and use them at any point throughout next year. Click here and look for 'Christmas voucher' in schedule to buy. Like and share 😉 https://bookwhen.com/stompinggroun…/e/e v-syph-20190107103000

Update for Monday evenings.
Our two sessions are merging. This will help us to keep the costs down through the winter and keep the group running longer.
The new time is now 5pm-7pm.
... See you there tomorrow!
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Visited Dukes Hagg Prudhoe this morning to chat with Mark about woodland management. Lots and lots to get my head around! Looking stunning, orange yellow green and brown. Overwhelming amount of work to get us up and running. As a social enterprise, we have a limited amount of resources so if anyone is able to lend a hand we’d love to hear from you. Support with planning, car parks, felling/thinning, building, pathways, applying for funds to support some of the set up....give us a shout! A ‘friends of’ group of volunteers to be set up soon x

Amazing sessions with Washingwell Primary kids today - storytelling is such a powerful medium. I wished I'd been able to take photos of their faces as the anticipation built around opening up the parcel to share my secret find! The dragon egg was handled extremely carefully - some of us heard some cracks and others heard it breathing fire! Here's a pic of the egg in a nest built especially for it, some soft moss to cushion it and a leaf to keep it warm. Lots of the children spent time digging to discover dragon teeth, ribs and skin, all hidden in the woodland floor. Who knew?

“Best birthday party ever!” Was the feedback.

Had a fabulous 8th birthday party with the forest school recently. The activities were perfect for boys and girls and younger siblings and the kids had a brilliant time. I definitely recommend a forest school party!

We regularly attended one of the under 5s sessions and thoroughly enjoyed it. My son developed confidence, practical skills and came away knowing so much more about nature! We looked forward to coming along every week. Sophie had a wonderful way of engaging with all the children. Brilliant sessions.

We have seen such a growth in Ethan’s confidence since starting Forest School about a year ago - he absolutely loves his sessions now.

We had my sons 3rd birthday party at stomping grounds and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. It was perfectly organised, Sophie has a great way with the kids and the woodland is beautiful. The kids had loads of fun, were engaged and relaxed. It was something a bit different and hopefully the kids learned a little too! Thanks Sophie!

This is a brilliant Forest School. Welcoming, inclusive and very very fun. My kids have also learnt loads about nature

My two boys had the best two days with Stomping Ground Forest School during the Christmas holidays. They absolutely loved it. I dropped them off both days feeling great trepidation, especially on the first day when it rained literally all day, and both days they came home so full of everything they'd done and all the fun they'd had: crafts, making dens, campfires, roasting marshmallows, splashing in mud (or the 'mud on your face game' as my oldest called it)... My washing machine may never recover but am delighted they had such fun! Would recommend to anyone.

My toddler has been going to the under 5s sessions in Brockwell Woods for over a year now and we both love it. Sophie is wonderful and very good at getting small children engaged! MJ enjoys using tools and having the space to get clarty. She still has a small car which she made in forest school and carries everywhere proudly telling people that she made it. Its a lovely group for adults too - everyone is friendly and lends a hand. Would highly recommend

My son Jake really loves his Saturday forest school adventures! he has grow in physical confidence and is much more daring in what he will do and attempt. He's also much more comfortable with things like insects, muck and the stuff of nature! It's a great way for children to explore the natural world, make new, non school friendships and learn to cooperate, enjoy the outdoors and push their own boundaries. Out of school activities can be tricky if your child isn't 'sporty' or doesn't want to do drama, dance etc. Forest School is the perfect solution! I like how it has a good balance between structured and unstructured play too. Would recommend to all.

My kids absolutely love stomping grounds and look forward to it every weekend. They are always full of joy and excitement to tell me what they've done and it's great for them to get back into the outdoors after a week of school / indoors.

My girl started at the under 5 group after she just turned two and has been going for the last 18 months. It has been a huge part in developing her deep connection with nature and her confidence in the outdoors. Our son has been going since he was born, and has now got his forest legs. It’s a great programme, that I also loved as an adult. We would still be there if we weren’t moving away. Really miss it.

My daughter and her friends had a wonderful time celebrating her 5th birthday. A very memorable experience, thanks.

My 8yr old daughter goes to stomping grounds on a monday evening at Chopwell, and she LOVES it! she comes back so animated and full of what she's been doing, which is a marked difference to how she comes back from school!! Sophie and her team are real enablers with her, guiding her and teaching her new skills, and giving her the space to explore. highly recommended.

I’m so glad I found this group - my son and nephew (6&7) have been attending since September and absolutely love it. It gives them a real sense of freedom and they come back buzzing (and really tired) every week. It’s really helped my son deal with the pressure of school this year and has positively adjusted his attitude towards the concept of schooling itself.

I have just completed my first term of Forest School with my almost 4 year old and 1.5 year old. It's been a wonderful experience, the kids have flourished in the environment and they have had the freedom and responsibility to try activities that they would never have been able to try in a different setting. Sophie is a great facilitator, nothing is too much trouble and overall the atmosphere amongst the group has been really welcoming and friendly. Will be back again soon! �

Highly recommend the under 6s Saturday sessions. Good mix of structure and free flow, and everything is adaptable to different ages / abilities. Lots of opportunity for water play, exploring the woods, and cooking on a real campfire - a unique experience for our 15 month old (and us!) We can't wait for the next session.

Forest Elf Harvey has really enjoyed his time at Easter Stomping Grounds Forest School this week - I'm so glad I have found this place, so refreshing, great philosophy and people, Sophie, Susan, Suzanne - and just as importantly the children learn whilst having lots and lots of fun outside in nature - What's not to like? x See photos and video by clicking on the Stomping Ground Forest School post below x

Harvey loved the tree climbing, the den building, foraging - especially finding the 'Wild garlic village' as he called it, he loved eating and collecting the garlic leaves. He loved building and making a fire and making nettle tea, pasta, baking bread and cakes and not forgetting those all important toasted marshmallows and playing alongside the other Forest children, Elves, Fairies, animals, insects and creatures of the forest.............................x He can't wait for his next dose of natures nurturing, and fun learning at Stomping Grounds Forest School at Saturday School x

Fantastic staff and activities, have been to the family days, toddler and parent and now my little 5 year old goes to Saturday club on his own and loves his sessions x

C had a fantastic time at forest school today. She thought the leaders were brilliant, had loads of fun and was so happy even though they were cold! Best day ever she said. Thanks to everyone.

Brilliant forest school sessions. Always so well put together with plenty of options to suit different kids. The best forest school we have attended. Sophie is fantastic with the kids and has a perfect ability to let them be heard and make them feel important. All questions answered, laid back no rush approach which is massively lacking in today's life. Encouraging free thinking and managing their own risks.