A MORAY OUTDOOR EDUCATION charity is aiming to create a new outdoor activity centre on woodland near Duffus.
Earthtime for All already deliver outdoor nursery session and forest school programmes throughout Moray, and operate family-focused ‘Waddle Toddle’ and Woodland Adventure activities.
Now, thanks to the support of a local land owner who has made an undeveloped stretch of woodland at Duffus available, the charity has launched a crowdfunding bid to create a new activity centre. Their aim is to build a “safe, nurturing and permanent” base accessible for children and adults of all abilities that wold be used for a wide range of activities.
These would include Bushcraft, nature discovery, use of natural materials, nature crafts and land art – improving mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as balance, agility and resilience in children and families.
Laura Russell, Outreach and Education Manager for the charity, told insideMoray: “Earthtime children flourish in our Outdoor Nursery and we have witnessed the most profound transformation in children with development challenges.
“This new base will enable us to work with more children and offer a wide range of activities for Moray families.”
The work planned includes the creation of a covered fire area with benches and an outdoor kitchen, laying a car park and access strip, laying and maintaining paths and setting up structures and activity tracks in the woods to promote risky play and problem solving.
Earthtime for All hope to raise £15,000 from their crowdfunding bid.
Shiobhan Woolgar, head teacher at St Sylvester’s Primary School in Elgin, added: “[They employ] A truly holistic approach that develops the confidence and self-esteem of our children in an environment that builds a love of nature, the ability to take risks whilst investigating, develop social skills – and have noisy fun too!”