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 £27 per child, (£30 from September 2025,) 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, 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 £27 per child, (£30 from September 2025,) 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, contact Sarah on 07887 556336 or [email protected].
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Term 6 dates
BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES A Week: The Nest; B Week: High and Over, Alfriston
A: 4th June (5-7yr)
B: 11th June (7-10yr)
A trip to the Downs to spot and learn some of our butterflies. We can make mini kites to see how wings work and streamers to watch the wind.
NETTLES AND ROPE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th June (5-7yr)
B: 25th June (7-10yr)
Nettles are brilliant! We'll light the fire to make nettle tea and nettle crisps, and have a go at making string from the stems of nettles. Hailsham, just up the road, is well known as a rope-making centre, so we will have a go at making a long length of rope, using the Treehouse for help.
THE OAK TREE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 2nd July (5-7yr)
B: 9th July (7-10yr)
How old is our oak tree? How can you tell? Measure the height, diameter and crown spread. What creatures use it? Explore the idea of a Witness Tree - what has this tree seen in its life? How do you look at growth rings? We will look at the history of Warren Farm and the countryside you can see from the Treehouse.
FOREST FOLK SUMMER GATHER The Nest, Wilmington
Wednesday 16th July, 10.30-12.30, £6 per child aged 4-10.
An extra session for both groups and anyone interested in joining our home-ed group. There will be cooking, crafting, swinging, browsing, games, and a chance to hang out with friends old and new.
BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES A Week: The Nest; B Week: High and Over, Alfriston
A: 4th June (5-7yr)
B: 11th June (7-10yr)
A trip to the Downs to spot and learn some of our butterflies. We can make mini kites to see how wings work and streamers to watch the wind.
NETTLES AND ROPE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 18th June (5-7yr)
B: 25th June (7-10yr)
Nettles are brilliant! We'll light the fire to make nettle tea and nettle crisps, and have a go at making string from the stems of nettles. Hailsham, just up the road, is well known as a rope-making centre, so we will have a go at making a long length of rope, using the Treehouse for help.
THE OAK TREE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 2nd July (5-7yr)
B: 9th July (7-10yr)
How old is our oak tree? How can you tell? Measure the height, diameter and crown spread. What creatures use it? Explore the idea of a Witness Tree - what has this tree seen in its life? How do you look at growth rings? We will look at the history of Warren Farm and the countryside you can see from the Treehouse.
FOREST FOLK SUMMER GATHER The Nest, Wilmington
Wednesday 16th July, 10.30-12.30, £6 per child aged 4-10.
An extra session for both groups and anyone interested in joining our home-ed group. There will be cooking, crafting, swinging, browsing, games, and a chance to hang out with friends old and new.
Term 1 dates
AUTUMN FORAGE AND FIRE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 10th September
B: 17th September
We will gather the berries from the hedge to make some hedgerow jam. What plants can be used as medicines? We will hone our fire skills and cook toast for our jam.
HEDGEHOGS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 24th September
B: 1st October
An investigation of our prickly friends ... Let's build a hedgehog house! And make a hedgehog from beech seed cases.
SPIDERS AND SAMHAIN The Nest, Wilmington
A: 8th October
B: 22nd October (note three week gap from last session)
Why is a harvestman not a spider? How many different kinds can we find? You don't have to touch them if you don't want to! Is it true that conkers keep them away? Why can't you eat conkers? What kind of chestnut can you eat? (Let's cook some!) Why are spiders associated with Halloween and Samhain?
Term 2 dates
SQUIRRELS, STOATS AND WEASELS
A: 5th November
B: 12th November
FANTASTIC FOXES
A: 19th November
B: 26th November
DEER AND REINDEER
A: 3rd December
B: 10th December
Coming up.... Archaeology with Changing Chalk; Animal homes and den building; Lizards, snakes and dragons; Ponds and amphibians; Spring birdsong; Sun celebration; Longbridge Lambs; Farm machinery; Crafting table; Badgers; Amazing ants; Bones and fossils; Grasses and reeds; Season wheels; Mosses and lichens; Ancient Woods in Spring; Corvids; Tree planting; Downland herbs.....
AUTUMN FORAGE AND FIRE The Nest, Wilmington
A: 10th September
B: 17th September
We will gather the berries from the hedge to make some hedgerow jam. What plants can be used as medicines? We will hone our fire skills and cook toast for our jam.
HEDGEHOGS The Nest, Wilmington
A: 24th September
B: 1st October
An investigation of our prickly friends ... Let's build a hedgehog house! And make a hedgehog from beech seed cases.
SPIDERS AND SAMHAIN The Nest, Wilmington
A: 8th October
B: 22nd October (note three week gap from last session)
Why is a harvestman not a spider? How many different kinds can we find? You don't have to touch them if you don't want to! Is it true that conkers keep them away? Why can't you eat conkers? What kind of chestnut can you eat? (Let's cook some!) Why are spiders associated with Halloween and Samhain?
Term 2 dates
SQUIRRELS, STOATS AND WEASELS
A: 5th November
B: 12th November
FANTASTIC FOXES
A: 19th November
B: 26th November
DEER AND REINDEER
A: 3rd December
B: 10th December
Coming up.... Archaeology with Changing Chalk; Animal homes and den building; Lizards, snakes and dragons; Ponds and amphibians; Spring birdsong; Sun celebration; Longbridge Lambs; Farm machinery; Crafting table; Badgers; Amazing ants; Bones and fossils; Grasses and reeds; Season wheels; Mosses and lichens; Ancient Woods in Spring; Corvids; Tree planting; Downland herbs.....
[email protected] 07887 556336