A series of 12 public events were held in Kilsture Forest in July, giving an opportunity for children to have fun in one of the largest woodlands in the Machars. The programme offered 24 hours of ranger-led Activities in all, varying from storytelling through to an introduction to bushcraft and den making. The 12 events were attended by 162 school age children in total.
The Kilsture Forest Fun programme headline stats were:
- 162 Children engaged
- 80 Adults engaged
- 28 Children attended more than one session
- 24 Hours of play
- 4 Volunteers
- 2 Forest School Practitioners
The events were led by Ranger Toni Lamont. Toni said:
“Running a forest school programme at Kilsture Forest has been an incredibly rewarding experience, where I was able to share my enthusiasm for nature whilst supporting young people to strengthen their connection to local wild spaces.
Delivering these sessions in the heart of Kilsture Forest was a magical experience, where the Beech trees swayed above our heads, the leaves crunched under our feet, the feeling of luscious ferns, lichens and mosses under our fingertips. It was the perfect setting for letting our curiosity for nature run wild. Throughout all of the sessions, we investigated what creatures lived in the woods. From their avid hunting, the children recorded new biological records for the forest, our favourite new record being the common pill millipede, as we admired its way of avoiding predation.
I witnessed children transform as they engaged with the activities and each other, where friendships blossomed and skills were gained. One of the best moments was watching a group of children work together to build a shelter from natural materials. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork were truly inspiring. They learned not just about the forest and its ecosystems but also about cooperation and problem-solving.
Having children immersed in woodland environments is crucial for their development. It fosters a connection to nature, enhances physical and mental well-being, and cultivates a sense of environmental stewardship. In the forest, learning is a natural byproduct of having fun—it’s about experiencing the world firsthand, which is something irreplaceable in today’s digital age. Kilsture Forest has been the perfect backdrop for these transformative experiences, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.”
The programme was supported by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a new initiative seeking to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them across the region. The programme was delivered thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
McNabb Laurie, from Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, said:
“Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is already getting involved in so many tree-related activities, including landowner advice through to actual administration of planting grants.
Amongst all of that, it is so important that we focus on engagement with the next generation, establishing that vital link between people and woodlands at a young age.
We are so grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Kilsture Forest Community Group for making the programme possible, and to Toni for leading such a varied and popular series of events!”
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is working with a range of partners including Borders Forest Trust, Woodland Trust Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information about Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, follow the facebook or twitter pages, visit the website www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or sign up for the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iAlL6k.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is registered in Scotland as a SCIO, number 052525.
