An outdoor adventure! New scheme gives children chance to explore South Downs

An outdoor adventure! New scheme gives children chance to explore South Downs

February 8, 2023

An exciting initiative has been launched for schoolchildren to explore the nature, history and culture of the South Downs.

Schools across Hampshire and West Sussex are being invited to take part in “Explorers of the South Downs”, which will offer a range of fun activities for young people to connect with the natural world and learn about the National Park.

Children will enjoy an outdoor adventure and learn new skills, such as building a shelter, bushcraft, tree identification, bug hunting, mindfulness activities, environmental art, team building and photography – all focused on the landscape, culture and history of the South Downs.

The project is a partnership between So Sussex, a Sussex-based outdoor education organisation, the South Downs National Park Authority, and Friends of the South Downs, whose generous donation has made the project possible.

The aim is to support schools with a significant number of disadvantaged pupils and/or SEND places (Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

Emma Bruce, Youth and Community Engagement Officer for the National Park, said: “It’s really exciting to be launching this brand new initiative to help connect young people with nature.

“We recently surveyed over 200 schools in the area and all of them believed outdoor learning was good for mental and physical health, while more than three quarters said it raised attainment in children. With Children’s Mental Health Week coming up in February, we couldn’t be announcing this initiative at a better time.

“The National Park is an education resource we want schools to use and enjoy. There are so many opportunities to learn in the great outdoors and that’s what this scheme is all about – giving young people that connection with the environment that will hopefully last a lifetime.”

Andrew Lovett, a trustee of Friends of the South Downs, said: “We are delighted to be able to fund this excellent project.  Helping children to understand and love the Downs is one of our top priorities.  2023 is our centenary year and this project is a great way to celebrate.”

Caroline Fleming, who helps to run the Schools Without Walls programme for So Sussex, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to discover and explore the South Downs, to connect to nature and learn about their own local environment.

“At a time when schools are facing increasing financial challenges and school trips are becoming increasingly expensive, this funding offers much-needed support and opportunities to ensure equal opportunities for pupils to experience what the National Park has to offer.”

The scheme will run until September and has a range of options, including working with a single class or a year group, as well as activity days and trips in the National Park. Funding is also available to pay for transport if needed. The initiative is open to primary and secondary schools.

Any schools interested should contact Caroline at schoolswithoutwalls@sosussex.co.uk or visit www.schoolswithoutwalls.co.uk for more information.

• The 2021 Children’s People and Nature Survey, commissioned by Natural England, showed that while many children feel a connection with the natural world, many do not. The report showed 11 per cent of children noticed nature every day, while 14 per cent never noticed it.
• A recent report (Dasgupta Review: Economics of biodiversity, children and nature network 2019) found that “nature connectedness” drops significantly from the age of seven, with a reduction in outdoor usage more extreme as children enter their teens.
• The project continues the good work of Generation Green, which was a nationwide 16-month scheme after the pandemic involving National Parks and several other organisations. Through new jobs, training, volunteering roles, residentials and outdoor and online learning experiences, the project provided more than 115,000 opportunities to connect young people to nature – many for the first time – and to cultivate a sense of care for the natural environment. This postcard for young adults has suggestions on how to improve your relationship with nature. There are a range of resources for teachers here: www.nationalparks.uk/teaching-resources/
• Friends of the South Downs is the only membership body dedicated to protecting the South Downs, a role that it has played for 100 years.