Earthlings

Home Ed Family Day in the woods at Neigh

Mentored by

Elena Harris

Organisation links

Watlington Hill Farm, Watlington

Ages: 5 - 12 years

1st Child £25Sibling £15Under 5's £5

Next date: None - Register your interest

Earthlings block mentored by Elena Harris

A summary

We will be gathering in the beautiful woods at Neigh, set in the heart of the Chilterns with spectacular views of the surrounding area. We invite you to come and learn and play with us. We will be offering a blend of bush craft, nature awareness and free play! Fire making, whittling, den building, tracking, storytelling, navigation, bird & tree & plant identification, cooking over a fire, bird language, wild crafts, foraging, singing, games, and nature connection activities. This is an event aimed at electively home educated children between ages 5-12 and accompanied by an adult. If you wish your child to attend unaccompanied, I will consider this on a case by case basis, please PM me to discuss. Under 5's are welcome as an addition to a full price child's ticket. Please note the activities will be aimed for older children, although the younger ones will always be invited to join in or just enjoy the woods. All activities are invitational and never obligatory. We encourage self advocacy and freedom to play and enjoy the woods as much as possible. Prices: I do my best to keep my prices as low as possible and fair to reflect the time I have put into gaining expertise and experience my work. I strongly feel that all children (and adults!) should have access and equal opportunities to attend my events, regardless of financial limitations. If you are unable to afford the standard prices, please get in touch and we can discuss how we can accommodate you. If you feel you are able to offer more than the standard price, and would like to offer a donation to support another family, please get in touch also! Thank you x

About your mentor

Elena Harris

You were wild once, don't let them tame you!

Elena feels most at home barefoot, under a canopy of trees and stars, bathed in the view of a communal fire. She has always had a deep love for wild places and is passionate about enabling children to pursue their natural curiosity and wonder of the natural world. Elena has 2 children whom she home-educated in their early years. This experience inspired her to immerse herself in the arts of the old ways and primitive skills, so she could pass these skills onto her children. Singing is also a huge part of Elena's life and work. She uses song to bring people together in community in nature in all her courses. An experienced nature connection facilitator, Elena is trained as a level 3 Forest School Leader, as well as having completed numerous professional trainings with Wildwise, including 'Call of the Wild' Foundation in Outdoor Leadership. Elena co-founded Wildlings, an outdoor provision for electively home educated children and is currently working on a new project, 'Earthlings With Elena', as well as performing regular facilitation roles on behalf of Wildwise. During term time, Elena leads weekly Forest School sessions at 2 Oxfordshire primary schools, as well as running Sprouts and Feral Voices Choir at in the woods at Ambroise Farm. Relevant Qualifications & Experience: 2017 - Wild Wise - Call of the Wild; a year long Nature Connection Facilitation course in Dartmoor National Park. 2018 - Forest School Leader Level 3 2018 -Ray Mears Bushcraft 2019 + 2021 - Wild Wise - Tending the Green Fire; a year long extension outdoor facilitation course. 2020 - Visit to Namibia to live and learn with the San Bush People in the Kalahari Desert. Specific training with WildWise: Art of Storytelling John Muir trek Wild Time for Girls Outdoor First Aid Challenging Behaviour in the Outdoors Transitions and Thresholds Play structures in the Outdoors Online courses: 2020 - Consent-Based Education with Sophie Christophy 2020 -Child Communication Workshop with Rosamund Frost

About Neigh and site information

Neigh is part of Watlington Hill Farm Sanctuary, founded and run by Lindsay Howard-Dean who lives and works on site with her family and her son whom she home educates. It is a working farm, caring for and working with rescued horses and other farm animals to live out their fullest and most natural lives. Neigh stands for "Nature Enabling Interdependence Growth and Happiness". They guide partnerships with horses and people to create interdependence and confidence for both human and horse. They welcome everyone's participation and specialise in working with people with additional needs. They are passionate about helping both humans and animals to achieve autonomy in their lives. When visiting Neigh, please remember this is a working farm with live animals. Please do not touch or feed the animals unless explicit permission is given by Lindsay. Earthlings with Elena is a session held in the woods at Neigh and is not intended to include any sessions with the animals. If you are interested in sessions with the animals, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/407972409589372

Learning aims

Aim 1

Learn bush craft skills and natural crafts: fire making, whittling, cooking; and play games. Through these activities presented in a conscientious way, develop our own personal awareness and deeper connection with the natural world.

Aim 2

To gather together in nature and build a village as a community. Deciding together what our village agreements are to keep ourselves and each other safe and respected. Find where we feel comfortable and have the freedom to explore and play.

Aim 3

Learn about the woods we are in: the plants, animals and creatures who live there, how they live and how we can use the space in the most reciprocal, respectful and regenerative way possible.

What you’ll need

Please dress appropriately for mud and cold weather. It is always colder and windier up on the hill than in other places, so be prepared. Layers are best! Please bring your own packed lunch and mugs - I will provide hot water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate! We may offer some communal cooking sessions, ie stick bread, soup: so please inform Elena of any dietary requirements before the session. If you would like to bring your own whittling knives, please do so, but inform Elena when booking or at the beginning of the session.

Pricing information

Ticket namePriceInformation

Ticket name1st Child

Price£25

Information1st Child (5-12 years) Accompanied by an adult Unaccompanied children upon request - PM me!

Ticket nameSibling

Price£15

InformationSibling (5-12 years) Accompanied by an adult Unaccompanied children upon request - PM me!

Ticket nameUnder 5's

Price£5

InformationThe event is aimed for 5-12 years. Under 5's are welcome to accompany an older sibling.

LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections

Where we'll be

Watlington Hill Farm, Christmas Common, Watlington, Oxfordshire, OX49 5HS

WHAT’S PROVIDED

Equipment

Safety

Enhanced DBS

Risk Assessment

Public Liability Insurance

Safeguarding Training

First Aid Training

First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds are given except in the case of a cancellation by the Mentor.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.

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