Ayrshire Post

Acorns join the forest oaks

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The Little Acorns of Ayr have now conquered the great outdoors.

The education group have been busy during lockdown - creating their own Forest School at Auchincrui­ve.

A neglected meadow on the old estate - now part of the River Garden landholdin­g - now boasts a mud kitchen, fire pit area, woodland play gym, composting toilet and all weather shelters.

Little Acorns founder Emily Hamalainen said: “River Garden has been a great support to us, allowing us access to over 45 acres of amazing green spaces.

“Local companies such as Neogen Europe Ltd, Birthspark­s Ltd and McNae Agricultur­al Engineers have really got behind us with equipment, expertise and resources.

“Our ambition is to provide children and their families with quality nature-based and holistic learning opportunit­ies and we are running free taster sessions in September.”

There are weekly parent and toddler groups, family forest school, a Forest School Saturday club called Mighty Oaks for children aged 6-13yrs as well as woodland workshops.

These include whittling, circus skills and nature photograph­y.

Emily added: “Our sessions are run by a team of experience­d outdoor and environmen­tal educators. Covid-19 has had an impact on the health and wellbeing of children and for many families extensive screen time has become the norm.

“Little Acorns offers an incredible opportunit­y for local kids to engage with nature and build selfconfid­ence.”

Full details from the Little Acorns website.

 ??  ?? Balancing act
Ella-Rose, Rose and Tristan try out the slack line in the woods
Balancing act Ella-Rose, Rose and Tristan try out the slack line in the woods
 ??  ?? Let’s all get cracking
The Acorns are creating something big at Auchincrui­ve
Let’s all get cracking The Acorns are creating something big at Auchincrui­ve
 ??  ?? Production line
Who thought mud could be this much fun?
Production line Who thought mud could be this much fun?
 ??  ?? Artistic
Not fine cuisine, but fun cuisine in the Mud Kitchen
Artistic Not fine cuisine, but fun cuisine in the Mud Kitchen
 ??  ?? Hard working Antti and Emily Hamalainen and their girls Ella-Rose and Aurora. The couple founded the amazing learning centre for kids
Hard working Antti and Emily Hamalainen and their girls Ella-Rose and Aurora. The couple founded the amazing learning centre for kids
 ??  ?? Going wild in the country Instructor­s Antti, Emily, Becca, Rosie, Katie, Duncan and Heather
Going wild in the country Instructor­s Antti, Emily, Becca, Rosie, Katie, Duncan and Heather

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