Forest Folk is a home education group for 5-7 and 7-10 year olds, meeting fortnightly in term time, all year round. We use the private woods at Arlington, a farm site in Wilmington, Abbots Wood in Arlington, together with a handful of downland sites. We look at all kinds of subjects from fossils and bones to twig identification, and we make good use of bushcraft skills.
We meet on fortnightly (ish) Wednesdays all year round during term time.
There are two groups running on alternate weeks - A and B week. From September, the A week will be for 5-7 year olds, and B week for 7-10 year olds.
It is a morning group (10.30 to 12.30)
Bookings are taken in blocks of three sessions. There are six blocks in a year.
A block is £30 per child, non-refundable if you can't make it.
We provide hot and cold drinks, but bring a snack if you like. We quite often light the campfire!
To book a place, or ask to be on the waiting list if it's full, contact Sarah on 07887 556336 or [email protected].
There are two groups running on alternate weeks - A and B week. From September, the A week will be for 5-7 year olds, and B week for 7-10 year olds.
It is a morning group (10.30 to 12.30)
Bookings are taken in blocks of three sessions. There are six blocks in a year.
A block is £30 per child, non-refundable if you can't make it.
We provide hot and cold drinks, but bring a snack if you like. We quite often light the campfire!
To book a place, or ask to be on the waiting list if it's full, contact Sarah on 07887 556336 or [email protected].
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TERM 2 DATES
CHANGING CHALK CASTLE ARCHAEOLOGY Milton Street
A: 5th November
B: 12th November
We are lucky to have a local expert, Gary Webster of Changing Chalk, to lead us on an archaeological investigation of the field where we launched the Floating House in the summer! It's alongside an old castle site, and we will see if we can find any evidence of people living or working in the area. We will have some other finds to examine, learn how to excavate and record, try drawing and modelling Norman style pots, and we will have a fire to keep warm.
FANTASTIC FOXES The Nest, Wilmington
A: 19th November
B: 26th November
Find out about foxes - games to discover how a fox is good at hearing, digging, jumping, balancing and scenting out. Learn different fox calls and discover what they are up to all year round.
DEER AND REINDEER The Nest, Wilmington
A: 3rd December
B: 10th December
What are our native deer, and which other ones live in Britain? Why do we find antlers on the ground? Are deer good for the countryside? How are they related to reindeer? Some seasonal crafts and cooking too.
TERM 3 DATES 2026
WOODLAND HOMES Bates Green Farm, Arlington
A: 7th January
B: 14th January
How many homes can we spot in the bare winter woods? From beetles to badgers, we will look for evidence. Then we will design, saw and build our own winter camp from branches and leaves.
MOSSES AND LICHENS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 21st January
B: 28th January
What is a lichen? Which ones grow at The Nest? Can you make "edible moss" to decorate a chocolate log? Make your own mossarium!
SEASONS AND OTHER WHEELS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 4th February
B: 11th February
Design a season wheel to note the passing months and seasons, including the animals and plants we find at Forest folk through the year.
Use the woodworking tools to make wheels for a toy vehicle.
TERM 4 DATES
SQUIRRELS, STOATS and WEASELS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th February (this is in school half term)
B: 25th February
An investigation of some of the speediest countryside animals. Why do stoats coats turn white? How fast can a weasel run? Can you build a drey?
BADGERS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 4th March
B: 11th March
All about beautiful badgers. Learn to spot signs of a badger living nearby. Carve a wooden badger of your own.
SPRING BIRDS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th March
B: 25th March
Which birds are building nests at The Nest? Can you build a nest just using your feet? We will amble into the nearby fields to learn some birdsong. Will the nightingales return this year?
TERM 5 DATES
PONDS AND AMPHIBIANS venue tbc
A: 15th April
B: 22nd April
Investigating life cycles and learning how amphibians can live in and out of water. We might be digging a pond for The Nest. What does a pond need?
SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM The Nest, Wilmington
A: 29th April
B: 6th May
A visit to the lambing shed and to meet the new calves, and a tour of some of the farm machinery.
HERBS AND POTIONS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 13th May
B: 20th May
We will build a herb garden for The Nest, and make some potions for your skin and yummy drinks.
TERM 6 DATES
AMAZING ANTS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 3rd June
B: 10th June
SUN CELEBRATION The Nest, Wilmington
A: 17th June
B: 24th June
LIZARDS, SNAKES AND DRAGONS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 1st July
B: 8th July
SUMMER GATHER The Nest, Wilmington
A and B: 15th July £10 per child
All our favourite cooking and activities, and just a chance to play and chat.
CHANGING CHALK CASTLE ARCHAEOLOGY Milton Street
A: 5th November
B: 12th November
We are lucky to have a local expert, Gary Webster of Changing Chalk, to lead us on an archaeological investigation of the field where we launched the Floating House in the summer! It's alongside an old castle site, and we will see if we can find any evidence of people living or working in the area. We will have some other finds to examine, learn how to excavate and record, try drawing and modelling Norman style pots, and we will have a fire to keep warm.
FANTASTIC FOXES The Nest, Wilmington
A: 19th November
B: 26th November
Find out about foxes - games to discover how a fox is good at hearing, digging, jumping, balancing and scenting out. Learn different fox calls and discover what they are up to all year round.
DEER AND REINDEER The Nest, Wilmington
A: 3rd December
B: 10th December
What are our native deer, and which other ones live in Britain? Why do we find antlers on the ground? Are deer good for the countryside? How are they related to reindeer? Some seasonal crafts and cooking too.
TERM 3 DATES 2026
WOODLAND HOMES Bates Green Farm, Arlington
A: 7th January
B: 14th January
How many homes can we spot in the bare winter woods? From beetles to badgers, we will look for evidence. Then we will design, saw and build our own winter camp from branches and leaves.
MOSSES AND LICHENS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 21st January
B: 28th January
What is a lichen? Which ones grow at The Nest? Can you make "edible moss" to decorate a chocolate log? Make your own mossarium!
SEASONS AND OTHER WHEELS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 4th February
B: 11th February
Design a season wheel to note the passing months and seasons, including the animals and plants we find at Forest folk through the year.
Use the woodworking tools to make wheels for a toy vehicle.
TERM 4 DATES
SQUIRRELS, STOATS and WEASELS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th February (this is in school half term)
B: 25th February
An investigation of some of the speediest countryside animals. Why do stoats coats turn white? How fast can a weasel run? Can you build a drey?
BADGERS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 4th March
B: 11th March
All about beautiful badgers. Learn to spot signs of a badger living nearby. Carve a wooden badger of your own.
SPRING BIRDS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th March
B: 25th March
Which birds are building nests at The Nest? Can you build a nest just using your feet? We will amble into the nearby fields to learn some birdsong. Will the nightingales return this year?
TERM 5 DATES
PONDS AND AMPHIBIANS venue tbc
A: 15th April
B: 22nd April
Investigating life cycles and learning how amphibians can live in and out of water. We might be digging a pond for The Nest. What does a pond need?
SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM The Nest, Wilmington
A: 29th April
B: 6th May
A visit to the lambing shed and to meet the new calves, and a tour of some of the farm machinery.
HERBS AND POTIONS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 13th May
B: 20th May
We will build a herb garden for The Nest, and make some potions for your skin and yummy drinks.
TERM 6 DATES
AMAZING ANTS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 3rd June
B: 10th June
SUN CELEBRATION The Nest, Wilmington
A: 17th June
B: 24th June
LIZARDS, SNAKES AND DRAGONS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 1st July
B: 8th July
SUMMER GATHER The Nest, Wilmington
A and B: 15th July £10 per child
All our favourite cooking and activities, and just a chance to play and chat.
[email protected] 07887 556336