Bush Skills and Wilderness Awareness
Brunswick Bush School was the first Bush School and Bush kindy in the Byron Bay region. The phenomena of bush schools, or forest schools and forest kindergartens is sweeping the world, as a remedy for our sedentary and essentially indoor lives, and an answer to the growing body of research that demonstrates the necessity of outdoor play and nature connection for physical, emotional, and mental health. Whether you are looking for an alternative to traditional preschools or just some quality fun and friends for your child, you are in the right place! We offer an alternative to the 4 walls of a childcare or day care centre for preschool aged children, and a group for home school children 6-12 years old. We operate a 100% outdoors wilderness awareness program that reconnects kids to nature and to themselves. Located at the glorious Brunswick Heads, we spend the day outdoors teaching practical skills, as well as giving children vital time to connect with the earth in a fun, safe and nurturing way.
In a world that is increasingly ‘connected’ and highly technologised there is a real threat that we are raising a whole generation of children that are dangerously disconnected in so many other ways; Children that lack connection with nature and an understanding of basic natural processes, children lacking basic social skills, children lacking conflict resolution skills, children lacking gross motor skills, children growing up increasingly sick, allergic and intolerant.
This is a dangerous precedent. A culture that is cut off from its roots, that doesn’t understand or value the very earth that sustains it, is at very real risk of destroying itself.
While technology has an important and exciting place in modern life, it must not be at the expense of our connection to and valuing of the earth and natural processes. Technology must be used to enhance and increase our connection and care for the planet. Other wise it may very well destroy it.
Brunswick Bush School is a remedy for those who are concerned about the increasingly disconnected, highly technologised and fragmented world that children are faced with. We firmly believe in the power and importance of staying connected to earth. Children need regular time in natural spaces to develop both for physical health and brain health. A healthy child needs time to explore, create and play in wild spaces. Children need regular play time with other children. We believe in the power of nature to heal and to teach.
At Brunswick Bush School we do just that. We provide weekly sessions for children to spend the day in bushland with other children. With a careful balance of structure and free-play our mentors provide a safe space that gently guides the children in small groups. Through games, ceremony, sacred circles, art and craft activities and creative play our aim is to increase and enhance children’s awareness and connection to their natural surrounds.
