Going Wild in BC
Kids’ Club
See ‘What a Difference‘ the BBC found when they visited our club:
KIDS' CLUB CONTACTS
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What Do We Do?
The Going Wild Kid’s Club started out as an idea to include the young people of our town in the wildlife activities of our project. Initially, we offered Connexus-sponsored summer workshops which were designed to be taster sessions for young people to get connected with nature through mini-beast hunts, bush-craft sessions and outdoor play. However, at the end of these taster sessions it became clear that there was an interest in something similar but more regular. From this, our Going Wild Kids Club was born, running outdoor sessions once a month for young people aged 9-14.
Interspersing conservation activities with play, we operate on Saturdays from 9-12 out of various sites, including the Wintles Woodland and Little Woodbatch, as well as many others as opportunities arise. Regular fundraising from apple pressings, Christmas Ceilidh and Six Bells quiz have all helped keep this going, as have kind donations from private individuals.
We were recently nominated for The Green Award of BBC radio Shropshire’s Make a difference awards 2024. BBC Radio Shropshire – Make a Difference: BBC Radio Shropshire, Green finalist 2024: Going Wild
Kids Club update
Feedback from the youngesters involved in the Connexus-sponsored Summer Activities Workshop, and their parents was for the project to become a monthly activity.
One of the aims is to encourage young people to learn about and care for their local environment and to show how they can have an influence locally and take onsome responsibility.
The project is planned and led by Dan Hodgkiss, who is employed by Montgomery Wildlife Trust and is supported by a number of adult volunteers.
Through further fundraising (community apple pressing, Six Bells quiz, Christmas Ceilidh) there is now a regular monthly GWKC. Currently this is held on a Saturday morning at the Wintles woodland. There is a group of 10 – 15 young people who regularly attend.
The GWKC will continue monthly through until July, when the intention is to run a second summer holiday scheme.
We are going to run a free training programme for parents and volunteers this Spring so that they can play a more active part in the Club. This will cover simple first aid, environmental activities and DBS certification