Nature in Harmony Exchange Project - ‘Outdoor Learning Training’ 2023

In late March, the Nature in Harmony Exchange Project (NIHEP) second and third years took part in a weekend of Outdoor Learning Training led by nature connection facilitator Chris Holland. The training was something the young people wanted to do to be able to further their knowledge of the natural world and be able to help others in their community enjoy it as much as they do. The event was organised and attended by NIHEP leader Sarah, co-leader and ATU Ecology Intern Laura, and Nature & Community Officers Jo and Abbey. The training was kindly sponsored by Stannah.

The training spanned two days and included an overnight camp. All the activities were fun, educational and encouraged an understanding of a connection to the natural world in a wide range of ways, using all the senses. The aim of the training was to give the youth team extra skills they can use to lead groups in the future if they wish - and they've already been putting it to good use, helping Jo and Abbey with school holiday sessions.

On the weekend of March 25th, seven members of the NIHEP attended the Outdoor Learning Training with Chris Holland. The first day presented the youth team with a change from the start. They had to set up camp, on a very windy morning! For some of the team it was the first time they had been camping or set up a tent. However, with great teamwork, they managed to battle the wind and get all their tents ready for the overnight camp.

The rest of the first day consisted of:

Nature connection and ecology games/icebreakers using simple materials/props. Chris got the young people moving around with introduction games and animal related tag/circle/team building games. The youth team particularly enjoyed ‘Meet the Tree’ - a game that involves being blindfolded and led to a tree, using touch to get to know the textures and growth pattern of the tree, then trying to identify it once the blindfold is removed.. It connects the participants to nature by really trying to get them to feel the tree they are meeting.
After lunch the team got to learn fire lighting in all weathers, safe knife and tool use in camp and workshop situations. They also learnt a couple of knots and a simple story they can retell, with a fun message about not showing off.
Before dinner Chris took the team on a very informational forage and purposeful plant use walk around Harmony Woods. This allowed the team to gather the ingredients they were going to need to make their dinner - Nettle Risotto!
The team had great fun preparing and cooking dinner over the fire. They made nettle risotto and chocolate bananas for pudding. After dinner the team set up a moth trap and used some detectors (donated by Test Valley Borough Council) to find some bats. Chris taught the team some amazing stories for the fireside. He used several instruments to bring them to life, including his famous Didgeridoo!

Photos taken by Abbey Sadler, Jo Oliver-Hawkins and Sarah Kennie

After a rather cold night's sleep and a well earnt breakfast. The team got stuck in with the next day's activities. They consisted of:

A morning wakeup and shakeup in the Hazel Circle. This got the team moving, listening and ready for the day ahead.
The first activity taught the team bird language and deep listening of the landscape. The team used natural items to form their own music score, before finding a spot to draw a sound map of all the noises that can be heard in the woods. This was followed by a strategic game of Bird & Worm. A bit like ‘capture the flag’, the game required teamwork to be able to collect the worms to feed their chicks while being caught by the predators. It allowed the young people to experience and really understand the struggles of nature.
After lunch Chris taught the youth team the concept of Natural Flow. This is a method of learning and session planning using natural rhythms. For example, using the changing seasons as steps in a plan to create a session for children. This then allowed the youth team time to have a go planning and leading an activity, before reviewing, reflecting and rounding up the training.

Since the training was completed the youth team has been involved in the planning and delivery of a couple of school holiday sessions in conjunction with Romsey Community Services. They will also be helping our Nature & Community Officers, Jo and Abbey, to plan and run a summer holiday club.

The NIHEP youth team and Andover Trees United would like to thank Chris Holland for the amazing course that he put together for us, and Stannah for sponsoring the training.