About

Group Ethos

Hi, I'm Laura welcome to my website and this wonderful nature led group. Grab yourself a quiet moment (if you can) and a cuppa as I'm going to take a few minutes of your time to answer the questions I am so often asked - what is my background, why did I start this group and how? I also hope this will give you the opportunity to get to know a bit about me and to see the passion in what I do and why I do it....

I’m a mum of two young boys and found that the local groups, although lovely never really met my desire to get them outside or captured their nature loving imaginations. Nature is the greatest playground and after months of taking my boys to the park, playing in our garden and exploring local land it got me thinking, there must be other parents like me seeking an outside space for their little ones where they can meet others with similar interests. My boys were not challenged enough by a hall of plastic toys and boredom soon set in, week after week I found I was paying for something for me to do socially rather than for their benefit. I was made redundant after returning to work from maternity leave but it really was a ‘every cloud has a silver lining situation’ as it gave me the drive to start this incredible journey. I had an amazing childhood, growing up on a private estate the world was our playground. Acres and acres of land offered us trees for climbing, salmon steps to watch, streams to paddle in, ruins to explore and untouched woodland explore and build dens in. Being out all day everyday, there was no such thing as bad weather we'd come home at the end of a day filthy, tired and filled with stories of the adventures we had. I worry about how much things have changed in such a short period of time, I know the world is a very different place today. There was no real fear back then, strangers were unknown and technology simply didn't exist, the only real thing I can remember is thinking how boring it was watching the F1 Racing as a family on a Sunday. It is such a shame that we simply can't undo some things and go back to this way of life but we have the opportunity to make a real difference which will have a huge impact on the future of our children.

We are living in a culture where are children are exposed to technology and screens more than they are nature and the great outdoors. Less than 10% of children play in the natural environment compared to 40% of the adults when they were young. A recent survey has also identified that UK children spend less time outside than a prison inmate - does that terrify you? It does me when a prisoner only gets two hours outside a day. As a child I grew up on a private estate and would be out the house all day, every day. Over the last 20 to 30 years things have changed so much and we are now in a culture of technology, cotton wool parenting and ever growing fear but I wonder what impact this is having on our children and their future. At the end of the day it is this generation who will have the greatest impact on the earth, climate change and ways to make the world a better place but how can they do that when they are not given the opportunity to experience its wonders? Children are like sponges and filling them with technology can never replace the skills, lessons and development which can only be achieved outside so why are we denying them this?

I’m not a forest school, I am not forest school trained (maybe one day) instead I am offering you a weekly outside based groups allowing families to come together in the woods to help us all put nature back into our children. This group is your ticket out of the house regardless of the weather as every child has the right to be outside and experience the elements. Under the trees canopy we are pretty sheltered making it the perfect place to play, we have shade in the summer and a natural canopy from the rain, so what’s stopping you. 

This hidden gem has been created by my love and passion of getting children outside, I can set an area and lay out some great activities but it’s you and your child’s attendance and imagination which makes the group what it is. I am always open to feedback as this is what allows the group to evolve.

Let’s break the inside, screen time society we live in today and get the next generation (our children) back outside playing like we did as children. Being outside on a wet day won’t make them ill, neither will being exposed to the elements, some recent studies even show that it is the great outdoors which will toughen immune systems and ‘blow away the cobwebs’. Don’t wait for a perfect day to come, with children no day is perfect or as planned. Even after a sleepless night, an over energetic pre-schooler or with a ratty toddler, you’ll be surprised at how relaxed some woodland time makes you feel not to mention the benefits of being outside and the pride you’ll both feel when your child achieves something they couldn't when they first walked in.

Laura’s Explorers is open for you to come and play, let’s remove the walls, break traditions and create a new generation of children who are connected with nature and have the ability to take managed risks and create ever lasting friendships under the trees.
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