The sun was shining its welcome to 6th class as they started their final DSP Forest School sessions. There was a real gladness and gratitude for being back in the forest with their friends.

We started by playing a few games. As they are beginning the journey to becoming adults, we are giving them opportunities to look at Forest School with adult eyes. 6th class came up with some reasons we play games during Forest School including physical activity, keeping warm, learning about nature and having fun. Over these 6 weeks, we aim to play lots of games so that they are comfortable and confident enough on how to play them that they will be happy to teach them to the younger children when they are assistant leaders in the summer term.

When we arrived in base camp, we did a ‘site risk assessment’ by looking up and looking down for any ‘hazards’. We noticed some branches that were dangling and some uneven ground and even some glass.

The rest of the time became a beautiful sharing of previous Forest School experiences and memories and weaving them into the session.

‘Oh I remember this tree – I climbed really high in it when I was in Senior Infants.’

‘Do you remember the cafe we had? Let’s make it again and even bigger.’

‘I remember making gorse tea. Can we make that again?’

‘What was the name of that thing we ate from the tree that tasted like lettuce?’

‘I need help with moving this branch. _____ can you help?’

When we took a break for lunch, I introduced the principles of Forest School, looking at the sessions from an adult viewpoint. We looked at:

• FS takes place in a woodland or natural setting
• we have the opportunities to take appropriate risks
• FS is regular and long term
• FS is holistic (supporting emotional, social, ethical, academic, physical, spiritual development)
• FS needs a qualified practitioner
• FS is about creating a community for being and learning together.

We had a peaceful sit spot and everyone wanted to have had more time.

We finished with sharing about what we noticed during sit spot, what we were grateful for and any ideas we have for the next sessions together. The children inform our planning.

Liz’s group

Úna’s group

I have no doubt they will be wonderful assistants for Junior Infants and 1st class in the summer term and amazing advocates for Forest School and nature as they become adults.