We are currently offering two after-school programs, Bush Inventors' Club and Wilderness Wanderers. Both sessions have several locations.
Educated by Nature provides a space where children feel empowered. A space where children have time and freedom, balanced by boundaries and guidelines to push against to feel secure. We come with the mind of a mentor – the sharp eyes, keen ears and sixth sense to anticipate the support a child may need by observing their behaviours, actions, words and all the other languages with which they communicate.
Bush Inventors’ Club is a nature-based after school program providing a space for fun, a space for play, a space for connection – with nature, with other people and most importantly with self.
Bush Inventors’ Club is inspired by the work of Gever Tulley and the Institute of Applied Tinkering, shaped by the work of Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute, and seeks to develop children’s self-risk assessing skills. Our Nature Educators encourage and allow risk taking, with support in identifying hazards and understanding body awareness.
Each term of Bush Inventors' club has a different focus - an overarching theme to all the sessions. At Bush Inventors’ Club, children may have the opportunity to:
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Use real tools to build, construct and tinker
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Build, invent and create
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Construct cubbies
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Connect with mentors and leaders
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Explore nature, find animals, insects and plants
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Play wilderness awareness games
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Set personal goals and conquer challenges
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Explore fire management and safety (season and location dependent)
Wilderness Wanderers is focused on connecting with the beauty of the natural world. Each week we will explore the bushland using the principles of nature connection and core routines to create mysteries and adventures. Wilderness Wanderers is inspired by the Art of Mentoring model from the work of Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute, and seeks to develop deep connection within nature.
Facilitators will work alongside children to deepen their understanding of the surrounding environment through various techniques including:
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tracking and exploring to find mysteries in nature to follow, with the help of field guides
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sit spots and journaling as a mindfulness activity,
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mapping and storytelling to share adventures
The structure of the program allows flexibility to suit the interests of children and provides opportunities for self-directed exploration.
Both programs are ‘drop and leave’ for 6 to 12 year olds. Each group meets weekly for 8 sessions throughout the school term.
We have an average staff to child ratio of 1:8. All staff have a Working with Children Check, with at least two staff at each group being first aid trained. In most cases the Lead Facilitators are qualified teachers.
Please contact us if your school or organisation is interested in hosting an after-school program.
Bush Inventors’ Club is currently offered at the following locations:
Crawley Homeschool - Group meets on Tuesdays, 10am - 1pm
Crawley Afternoon - Group meets on Tuesdays 3:45pm - 5:45pm
Beehive Montessori, Mosman Park - Group meets on Wednesdays 3:15pm - 5:15pm (Exclusive to Beehive Montessori students, bookings through the school)
Guildford Grammar School - Group meets on Thursdays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm (Exclusive to Guildford Grammar students, bookings through the school)
Wilderness Wanderers is currently offered at the following locations:
Naturescape Kings Park - Group meets on Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
