Children from around Bridge of Earn have been enjoying nature this summer as part of a new summer camp that aims to become a fixture of the Perthshire school holidays.

Kids’ Nature Camp, delivered by Wild Lives Education as part of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust’s learning and engagement work, has seen over 60 kids from 6-10 years old attend up to 20 themed sessions as varied as extinction, tremendous trees, rainforest adventures, and nature detectives.

Kids' Nature Camp attendees show off their terrariums flanked by PKCT staff. Session leader Jo Foo, back middle.

Meeting at the Bridge of Earn Institute, the children of Kids’ Nature Camp have had the opportunity to learn and play in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Many of the sessions have completely sold out with a limited number of free fully funded spaces for those who would otherwise be unable to attend provided by The Gannochy Trust.

Speaking about the project, Catherine Leatherland from PKCT said:

“We are delighted to have expanded our learning and engagement activities and to have brought Kids’ Nature Camp to the children of Perthshire.

Spending time outdoors has a range of health and wellbeing benefits. The children have loved the range of activities and it’s great to encourage them out into the outdoors during their school holidays.”

 

Nature camp attendees try their hand at shelter building with session leader Jo Foo

Jo Foo of Wild Lives Education who has led the sessions said: 

“The first Kids’ Nature Camp has been a great success. The sessions have been packed with enthusiastic children who love being outside, learning about nature and how we can protect it. They’ve made some new friends and been able to try their hand at everything from making terrariums, to footprint tracking, and from painting to a range of outdoor games.

We are already looking forward to the sessions in October which will also be in Bridge of Earn.”

 

Nature camp attendees making their own rainforest terrariums

Stephen Woollard, Chair of PKCT and a zoology expert added:

“Jo Foo and Wild Lives Education have done a fantastic job in delivering these sessions on a wide range of subjects. It’s clear to see how much the kids have enjoyed them, and we are also thankful to The Gannochy Trust for their generous funding.

For me personally it was great to join in with the Rainforest Adventure activity and get a chance to share my own experiences of visiting rainforests with the budding explorers of the future.”

Kid’s Nature Camp will be back between 20 and 24 October . Check our website and social media channels to find out when bookings open or email [email protected] to enquire.

Find out more about Jo Foo and her work HERE.

Stephen Woollard (Chair PKCT) shares his experience of visiting rainforests