Interview: Little Bear Woods Forest School
West Moors FarmFest 2024 is a family-friendly festival raising money for local charities. This year, FarmFest will be taking place on Saturday 8 June from 12.30 until 6pm at Sturts Farm, near Ferndown and Wimborne, in Dorset.
Throughout the day you can expect live music, award-winning street food and loads of activities for the kids. From archery, climbing wall and circus workshops to storytelling, tractor rides and lots more. See the programme in full.
We’re absolutely thrilled that Little Bear Woods, a forest school in Ringwood, will be at West Moors FarmFest this year. Kelly, its founder, chats to us a little more about her independent business, and what you can expect from her Forest School sessions on the day.
Tell us about Little Bear Woods. What inspired you to set it up?
Little Bear Woods is a place for adventure. A small, friendly outdoor woodland environment for children to think freely and connect with nature. We run regular pre-school, home ed, school trip, holiday sessions and Forest School birthday parties at our beautiful woodland space in Ringwood.
I’ve always loved the outdoors. After years working as a teacher, supporting children in their development, I decided to take a Forest School training course. I loved it so much immediately, I wanted to find somewhere to allow kids to be free in the forest. With children’s mental health issues on the rise, my dream was to create a space for children and their grown-ups to relax and immerse themselves in nature. So Little Bear Woods was born.
What do you love about running your own business? What has it taught you?
The thing I love the most is seeing the smiles on all the faces we see on a daily basis. I love that we teach children how to be safe with fire and knives from a small age. To help them have a better understanding of what these methods can be successfully used for.
I love that the forest community has opened my eyes and led me to places of opportunity that I perhaps wouldn’t have explored before. For example, I have just signed up to a 5-day survival challenge. I cannot wait to learn and develop myself more. I will then pass on those skills to the children I meet.
What can forest school offer children?
Forest School helps all children thrive. The space, freedom, new skills all add to excitement, confidence growth and independence in making decisions and finding their own limitations.
What can visitors expect from your FarmFest sessions? Who are they best suited for?
Our Forest School sessions at West Moors FarmFest 2024 will allow their creativity flow using natural resources. Children can create a wand or lantern to take home and remember their time at FarmFest.
The lanterns can also be used as a night light for children outdoors or indoors. The wands will create imagination and magic in a wonderful woodland setting. The creative activities are aimed at children from age 4, but younger participants are welcome to come and try with some family support.
We also have a range of other activities for children to come and free play with. We can’t wait to be a part of such a wonderful festival with a similar ethos to ourselves. Another part of the forest community we are so happy to join!
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Find out more about Little Bear Woods.
Book your Forest School place at West Moors FarmFest 2024
Tickets for West Moors FarmFest 2024 are now on sale. Choose admission with or without food. Concessions, including discounts for Members of Armed Forces and Blue Light Card holders, also available.
