Nature Play Academy

The following story is written by one of our nature play-workers (Helen Price) and is set on the mud flats of Boambee Creek. The story focuses on a very important aspect of our Wild Camp experience and highlights the value of connecting with people and place... Our nature players were wandering in the shallows of the mud flats, when I arrived with my milk bottle, bread and fishing line. The children began to throw some ‘burly’ (crusts) into the water to attract the fish. They discussed where would be the best place to lay the ‘plastic bottle’ and gathered rocks to help sink the bottle. They set the trap and watched the incoming tide take the bottle away. The bottle drifted into shore where the mangroves were growing, the children followed and began to notice some trails in the sand, saying things like “that looks like a snake”! Soon they spotted a ‘hermit crab’ moving along the sand, and then spotted lots of ‘hermit crabs’. Eventually they picked up the crabs and showe...

It is unanimous - children want to spend more time playing in nature! We hear it every week: "can we stay here?" "can we come back tomorrow" "I wanted to build a shelter" "I love playing in the creek" "I love having a fire" "can we camp here".... Not only is nature play good for their health and well being it is also: fun, exciting, interesting, challenging, soul fulfilling and very desirable! Hammocks over water and creek adventures are favourite activities and are requested often.. Children arrive at our sessions with a plan - they might want to revisit a favourite activity, catch up with a friend or test out their skill at whittling, building or fire-craft... our role is to support this plan coming to fruition, we do this through careful observation and planning. Our philosophy is founded on the belief that children learn through play, are masters of their own learning and are capable and competent individuals. B...