With outdoor play, it’s never just play

Children need time to play – it’s defined as a fundamental right of the child.

It builds resilience, helps development and grows confidence.

Known for its impact on psychosocial development and physical growth benefits, outdoor play is freely chosen and intrinsically motivated. It connects children to the natural environment, builds life skills for navigating risk and promotes independence in thought and body – all the things wanted for children.

Y Kids Go Bush provide diverse, inclusive opportunities for outdoor play and risky play across different ages and stages of childhood.

It starts with parent-supported bush playgroups and continuing with drop-off forest skills sessions for older children from age four through primary school. A safe space is provided as well as themes of learning and interest-based projects using natural materials, bushcraft and survivalism skills along with environmental education, following the child’s play lead and empowering them to get involved, try new things and create friendships.

Risky play is defined as thrilling and has a consequence. It also provides an opportunity for challenges, exploring, choices and developmental skills including learning to manage risk and assess complex situations. This is especially valuable as children become independent. Forest Skills sessions are based on forest school philosophy and playworker principles using the Surf Coast bush as the play space.

Risky play at Kids Go Bush may involve:

Speed – swinging or running down a hill after a rolling tyre

Fire – cooking popcorn and fire lighting (it’s not as easy as it looks)

Height – tree climbing and self-made rope courses

Tools – using real tools to create and build.

Children are able to take risks in a controlled environment, with facilitators on hand to support young people in making their own decision on how they choose to participate to feel safe emotionally and physically as they negotiate new experiences, life skills development, group games, creative options and imaginative play.

By playing, creating, exploring, learning and trying again, children are able to make mistakes and learn from them and embrace life and all its changes in the future.

Bookings now open via ymcavic.venue360.me/public/events/homepage

For more information, phone YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp on 52631512, or head to Facebook and Instagram @YMCA Kids Go Bush and @Anglesea Discovery Camp