Background:
My career in environmental youth work spans over twenty-five years with experience of working in a wide range of settings and with groups of all ages and abilities, including Rainbows and Brownies, Beavers and Cubs, special needs groups, youth clubs and environmental groups such as Wildlife Watch and Young Rangers at the Nature Discovery Centre in West Berkshire and a gardening and nature kids’ club at Five A Day Market Garden near Theale.

I hold a current DBS (CRB) disclosure and an up-to-date Outdoor First Aid certificate; I have also been fully trained in Child Safeguarding and Health and Safety. My other qualifications include Level 3 Forest School programme Leader, and CEVAS (Countryside Education Visits Accreditation Scheme).

Quotes from my activity sessions for youth groups:

“Lovely morning, really focused and well facilitated. Becca is very encouraging and enthusiastic!”

“Very well organised and well thought-out variety of activities, excellent resources.”

“An excellent session, lots of fun activities with educational elements.. Becca is fantastic with all the children!”

Activities for Youth Groups:
I can offer sessions of any length (from an hour up to a half or full day) in the following topics, based either at your group’s site or at a convenient local venue:

• Forest School sessions – see my Forest School web page
• Bushcraft and foraging (can include fire-lighting and whittling)
• Habitat Adventures (e.g. woodland, meadow, heathland)
• Minibeast Safari / Pond dipping
• Rangers Of The Forest (tree identification, woodland activities)
• Bird Bonanza (making bird feeders, bird games)
• Grow Your Own (gardening)
• Nocturnal Adventure (bats, owls & nocturnal wildlife)
• Wildlife Detectives (animal tracking and field skills)
• Sensory activities (e.g. sensory Exploring Nature walks)
• Eco Art / Recycled crafts – see my Eco Art web page
• Sticks & Stories (storytelling, exploration and crafts)
• Singing for children / young people – see my Singing webpage

My emphasis is on maximising participants’ direct contact with the natural world, using hands-on activities that are sustainable and low-impact – and always making sure that everyone (including supporting adults) has an enjoyable time!

Suggested group sizes: To ensure a high quality experience I usually work with groups of 15 to 30 children at a time, or with larger groups if sufficient supporting adults (e.g. group leader + adult helpers) from your group also participate.  For younger children (6 years and under) and for ‘higher risk’ activities (e.g. pond dipping, nocturnal walks) a ratio of one adult to four children is recommended.

I am experienced in planning and leading sessions that provide fun hands-on engagement with the natural world: activities can also be tailored to suit group themes or badge award schemes. I am always happy to respond to a group’s particular needs: contact me using the email form on my Contact page to discuss how I can meet your requirements, and to enquire about session costs.

Organisations worked for:
Wildwood Escot, The National Trust, RSPB, The Institute for Earth Education (UK), BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust), Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, The Living Rainforest, West Berkshire Council, The Nature Discovery Centre (Thatcham), the John Simonds Trust/Rushall Farm, Five A Day Market Garden, The Willows Primary School, Hampstead Norreys Primary School, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Druridge Bay Country Park.