Southwark’s city kids are being invited to walk on the wild side at a free forest school starting next week.
Nature Vibezzz, a South-London based charity which specialises in environmental education and conservation, is setting the school up at Glengall Wharf Garden, Burgess Park.
It will open from 10am to 12pm every Monday for six weeks, starting from Monday 9 May, with activities aimed at kids aged two and over.
John Cannell, who set up the charity in 2015, said: “It’s aiming to build up kids’ self-esteem and confidence as well as building up new skills and introducing them to wildlife.
“Especially after Covid, it helps with mental health to be close to nature.”
Families will build their own bird boxes to take home, learn how to identify different species of plants and animals, and have a go at building their own shelters.
They will also learn woodcraft skills, how to make a fire as well as some useful gardening tips.
Nature Vibezzz hopes to set up a forest school in Galleywall Nature Reserve, Bermondsey in the summer, although dates aren’t confirmed.
Burgess Park, which stretches across Walworth, Bermondsey and Camberwell, is hosting numerous events over the coming months, including a history trail to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Burgess Park to host history trail to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee
As well as education, the charity works on conservation projects such as bramble clearance and shrub management.
The charity are active in Lambeth, where they have run projects in Streatham Common and schools across the borough.
Find out more about the work Nature Vibezzz do at: https://www.naturevibezzz.org/