Ashdown Forest

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/youth-volunteer-group-tickets-457052966727" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">For more information, click here</a> A volunteer group for young people aged 13-17 yearsYoung people joining the group will:<ul><li>Take part in practical conservation tasks</li><li>Explore the Ashdown Forest with experts</li><li>Learn more about wildlife</li><li>Gain work experience</li><li>Meet up with others who enjoy being outdoors</li><li>Join discussions</li></ul>No experience necessary. No cost for volunteering.All tools and equipment provided. Training will be provided in tool use and the group will be supervised at all times by qualified staff.Wear stout shoes / boots and suitable all weather clothing. We will aim to be outside in all but heavy rain and strong winds.Hot drink and snack provided. Bring your own lunch and a drink.Volunteering with this group could contribute toward your D of E award, scout / guide badges or school community service.Sites may be on uneven ground and may be challenging for those with limited mobility.A Parental Consent and a Code of conduct form will be required when attending your first volunteer session.If you have any questions please email education@ashdownforest.orgUnfortunately, getting here by public transport is difficult, we encourage lift sharing where possible.

Ashdown Forest Centre

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mini-explorers-on-ashdown-forest-tickets-154214089493" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">For more information, click here!</a> An outdoor play and nature discovery group for under 5's and their families. Monthly fun and games exploring the beautiful Ashdown Forest. Meet new friends on a short walk with seasonal craft and outdoor activities. We will be outside in all, but the wildest of, weathers so both adults and children need to come prepared. Please bring a snack for your child. Shoes and long trousers are recommended even in hot weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book a place for each child. Accompanying adults free. The Mini Explorer ticket price includes car parking charges for the duration of the session. You do not need to buy a parking ticket during this event but you will need to register your car in the Information Barn on arrival. During school holidays you are welcome to bring along older siblings.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/home-education-on-the-forest-tickets-1979743126986" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">For more information, click here</a> A monthly session for home-schooled children age 5+, accompanied by an adultJoin us for a fun and supportive session to explore the Ashdown Forest and its wildlife. Meet up with others, connect with nature and find out about what’s happening in the natural world as the wheel of the year turns. Topic will include maps, wildlife, local history, rocks, plants and sometimes a task to help look after the Forest. All sessions will be based in the Friends Wood Education Area at the Ashdown Forest Centre and include a walk onto the Forest, games, and craft activities. Come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather. We have a large Education Barn as back up in very wet or wild weather. But we will always spend some time outside. Start time: 10.30amEnd time: 12.30pm The sessions will be led by our Education Team.Our Leaders are qualified Forest School practitioners, fully insured and DBS checked, First Aid and Safeguarding trained.These events are not suitable for dogs. Tickets cost £15 per child (adults are free) and includes parking. Please register your vehicle number in the Information Barn at the Forest Centre on arrival. Please note that if the session is not fully booked we will not be able to run it. If we need to cancel the event we will confact you two days before.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-wednesdays-tickets-1979717809260" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">For more information and to book, click here!</a> Family activity days on Ashdown Forest suitable for children age 5–12 years (check individual events for age suitability) Join our Education team to explore the beautiful Ashdown Forest. We will be exploring the seasons with a walk, fun activities, natural crafts and games. Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild! Different topics and activities every session. Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years, accompanied by an adult. Please check individual events as some are more suitable for children age 6 years and over. Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes are required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches. Please buy a ticket for each child attending (£10 per child). Parents/guardians are free. Parking is included - you will need to register your car on arrival in the Information Barn at the Forest Centre.Nature walks take place over uneven ground and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or need advice. These events are not suitable for dogs. 18th February: Outdoor cookingJoin us in Friends Wood at the Forest Centre to discover how to safely light a fire and cook a tasty snack. Learn how we sometime use fire to help the Forest. 1st April: TrickeryDiscover all about the animals that play tricks to survive. Be bird, bug, or snake come and find out about their strategies for success. 8th April: Bird kites and spring migrationSpring sees the return to the Forest of many birds that travel a long way to spend the summer here. Find out about their journey and why the Forest is special for them. 27th May: Warts and allIs it a frog or a toad? Or perhaps a newt? Come and explore the world of amphibians. 29th July: Creatures of the nightWhat creeps, crawls, runs, jumps, pounces or flies when the sun goes down? Find out about the nocturnal creatures of the Forest. 5th August: Masters of camouflageFind out who is the best at hiding and test your own hiding skills with some games! 12th August: FangsWhich creature has the sharpest teeth and whose are the deadliest to be bitten by? 19th August: Creepers and crawlersNo back bone, no problem. Find out about the mini beasts of the Forest. We will be searching in long grass and trees to find out who lives where! 26th August: Build a campJoin us for a morning designing and building dens using materials found on the Forest. 28th October: Birch broomsMake a traditional besom broom out of silver birch twigs. Help manage our heathland habitat as well as sweeping up your leaves! 23rd December: Winter walkJoin us for a short 'hike' around the Forest. Playing and creeping games along the way and then stop for a hot chocolate at the end. Suitable only for those that can independently walk 2.5km. Involves steep slopes and uneven ground. A great way to use some energy up before Christmas!

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nature-thursdays-tickets-1979660118706" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">For more information and to book, click here</a> Family activity days on Ashdown Forest suitable for children age 5–12 years (check individual events for age suitability) Join our Education team to explore the beautiful Ashdown Forest. We will be exploring the seasons with a walk, fun activities, natural crafts and games. Build your nature knowledge over the year and connect with the wild! Different topics and activities every session. Suitable for children aged 5 - 12 years, accompanied by an adult. Please check individual events as some are more suitable for children age 6 years and over. Please come dressed to be outdoors whatever the weather in clothes you don't mind getting muddy and messy. Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy shoes are required throughout the year for both children and adults, as these will help protect from stings and scratches. Please buy a ticket for each child attending (£10 per child). Parents/guardians are free. Parking is included - you will need to register your car on arrival in the Information Barn at the Forest Centre.Nature walks take place over uneven ground and may not be easily accessible for all. Please get in touch if you have any questions or need advice.These events are not suitable for dogs. 2nd April: NestsDo all birds make nests? Who is the best at building them? Are birds the only one who build nests? Are you as good at nest building as a swallow? Discover the answers to these questions and more! 9th April: FeathersJoin us on a feather hunt to find out what they can tell us about the birds that left them behind. 28th May: ScalesDiscover Ashdown’s reptiles and find out why they love the heat so much. 30th July: Stream explorerFind and follow some of the Forest’s streams and see who lives in them. This session is suitable for those who can independently walk 2km. Involves steep slopes and uneven ground. 6th August: Hoppers and leapersWho’s got a spring in their step or even in their tail? Learn about Forest inhabitants who use their leaping prowess to escape capture or catch prey. 13th August: BrackenFind out about these ancient plants and join us to take action to help look after the heathland. This is more fun than it sounds! Most suitable for children 7 years and over. Long sleeves and trousers are essential for both adults and children. 20th August: Toes and talonsTake a look at some different feet and the tracks they leave behind. Make a plaster cast to take home. 27th August: FurFur is essential for keeping warm but offers other benefits too. Explore the sensory world of mammals and discover who has the softest fur... and whose fur would be better not to touch! 29th October: Skulls and bonesCan you identify which skulls belongs to which animal? Help piece together some tiny skeleton puzzles.

We’ll enjoy some tea, coffee and biscuits, and informal conversations about the book, before voting on the next month's pick! Email&nbsp;Niamh.Mahoney@ashdownforest.org&nbsp;to join this free, social and friendly group, which meets on the first Thursday every month (parking is free).&nbsp;

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest Youth Volunteer Group

Mini Explorers on Ashdown Forest

Home Education on the Forest

Wild Wednesdays for 5-12 year olds

Nature Thursdays for 5-12 year olds

Ashdown Forest Adult's Book Club