A new afterschool program connecting local kids to nature

Commplay is a new Surf Coast not-for-profit that aims to connect children to their local natural environment through their Natur.ed program.
Natur.ed is all about making it easy for children to spend time outdoors.

Program hosts collect children after school from their school and take them out and about for two hours, returning them back to their school to be picked up by 5.30pm.

The program is nature play-based with bush tucker, orienteering, bush art, animal tracking, and survival skills all incorporated in a fun, safe way.

“In the pilot program last year we took children yabbying, rockpool rambling, ate bush tucker, painted with ochre, and explored many of our local forests, beaches and waterways.

“The parents and kids were 100 per cent stoked with the Natur.ed program,” Natur.ed program director Chlose said.

“While we know there are many local families who love spending time in nature there are also kids that miss out, or would benefit from more time outdoors.”

Natur.ed is run by two qualified teachers with outdoor education experience. Sarah Bolus, a Bush Kinder teacher, has been working and developing environmental and outdoor programs for over 10 years. Chloe Messner just completed a research master’s on Bush Kinder’s impact and created a similar school holiday program for the YMCA.

“Let’s just say the impact for children’s long-term development such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication is significant,” Chloe said.

“Allowing children time in nature and outdoors is an approach we strongly believe in, especially during these challenging times. When you see how well kids respond to being outside in nature, discovering new places and friends, and you know how good it is for their mental health. It couldn’t be a better time for this type of program.”

To find out more about COMMPLAY’s Natur.ed after school program, visit www.commplay.com.au or call 0421 694 423.