Breda, organiser of the Forest School project with Sustainable Skerries, sent us this lovely blogpost a couple of months ago. We finally get around to publishing it… what a lovely memory of summer!

A Week of Outdoor Learning and Community Connections
This August, Sustainable Skerries, with the generous support of Fingal County Council, were delighted to host a week-long Forest School in Ardgillan, delivered by Free Range Outdoor Education (www.froe.ie). The project gave 20 children aged 6-10 the chance to spend time outdoors in a non-competitive, non-pressured setting, exploring nature through play and creativity.
Five Days of Forest Adventures
From the very first morning, the group jumped straight into Ross and Miriam’s nature-based games and team activities and quickly found their rhythm in the forest. Over the course of the week the children painted rocks, explored plants, made sycamore boxes for collecting blackberries and tried their hand at safe foraging with Nettles and Alexander. They learned how to carve and sharpen tools, created bows and arrows and crafted forest treasures to take home. The games involved learning about native animals and wildlife and encouraged listening and cooperation. Plenty of time was spent climbing trees, building bases and enjoying the freedom of being outdoors together. The children showed wonderful enthusiasm and creativity throughout the week.

Local sustainability projects
On the final day, attention turned from forest adventures to local biodiversity and community initiatives in Skerries. The children visited the Skerries Open Orchard at the Ballast Pit and St. Patrick’s Close, where Sabine McKenna explained how the project is helping to increase biodiversity and provide a shared resource for the town.
Sarah-Jane Cullinane led a Council of All Beings workshop where the children created masks and took part in an imaginative, interactive ritual that gave voice to different creatures of the natural world. 

Later, a walk to the seafront brought them to the South Beach with Miriam Sweeney, who introduced the group to practical community initiatives like the toy beach box and wetsuit swap shop, showing how small ideas can make a real difference in caring for our world.
The week highlighted just how important and how joyful it is for children to spend extended time in nature. From games under the trees to learning about community-led projects, the Forest School experience combined outdoor fun with valuable lessons about friendship, imagination and sustainability.
Sustainable Skerries would like to thank Fingal County Council for funding this project, Sustainable Skerries volunteers for giving so generously of their time and Free Range Outdoor Education (www.froe.ie) for their expert guidance and knowledge throughout the week. Most of all, thanks to the children, who embraced the adventure wholeheartedly bringing curiosity, big smiles and endless enthusiasm.
Sustainable Skerries is a committee of The Skerries Community Association

This article appeared in the Skerries News, our beloved local publication.