Nurture in Nature is an informal outdoors playgroup. It is an ad-hoc group of parents and children who think that it is really important for children to spend quality time in nature, whatever the weather, playing without toys but with each other (and whatever nature things they can find), at little or no cost to their parents. Parents sometimes organise stories or other activities, but the children are always spontaneously creative. Each session has a loose themes. This is the to help parents to think in advance if there is anything (e.g. a book or activity) that they like that they could bring along which relates to the theme of the day, though you don’t have to! Of course most of the time will be child-led, but sometimes a nice book or activity can be fun for all.
We meet on Mondays andThursdays at 10am (though we are often late). There is no compulsion to come every time, but the more the merrier, and the more often the deeper the friendships develop. Also, one thing which Nurture in Nature has given to people is showing them how easy it is to get to beautiful green places in Glasgow by public transport, and we use it whenever we can, please join us.
Plan for May 2012:
| 1st Week | 2nd Week | 3rd Week | 4th Week | ||
| Monday
12.30 |
7th Loch Lomond
10.23 train from Queens St. Meet on the platfor – low level. Theme Birds |
14th Linn Park Meet at the white halfpenny bidge. Catch the bus 44 or 66 to Netherlee. PARTY FOR ROBIN, LUIS, DANNY and LUSI’S LAST NURTURE IN NATURE Bring food to share | 21st Pollok Park
Go into park at Pollokshaws West train station entrance. Take footpath to the Burrell on the right and meet by fallen tree on the left of the path. Buses 57 and 45.Theme tracking |
28th Queens Park Meet behind the flagpole. Buses 66, 44, 38, 57 and more. Theme trees | |
| Thursday
10am |
3rd Queens Park Meet behind the flagpole. Buses 66, 44, 38, 57 and more. Theme mini-beasts | 10th Pollok Park
Go into park at Pollokshaws West train station entrance. Take footpath to the Burrell on the right and meet by fallen tree on the left of the path. Buses 57 and 45. Theme wild food |
17th Oueen Park Meet behind the flagpole. Buses 66, 44, 38, 57 and more.Theme the senses | 24th Botanics Meet in the children’s garden. Bus 66. Theme flowers | 31st Linn Park Meet at the white halfpenny bidge. Catch the bus 44 or 66 to Netherlee.
Theme what can you hear? |
For those coming for the first time(s), here is a ‘to pack’ list, so you have a clearer idea of what you are likely to want to have with you:
- At least 1 complete change of clothes
- warm clothes (as appropriate for the weather)
- waterproofs (top and trousers) and wellies (even on a dry day they often end up in the river!)
- Sun cream and sun hat if necessary – Or sledge!
- Baby wipes
- packed lunch
- drink (water)
- snacks (e.g. fruit)
- A first aid kit (especially arnica and plasters)
- Parents should wear “1 more jumper than you think you’ll need” (it gets cold standing around), and don’t forget waterproof top, bottoms and wellies for yourself too.
- Mobile with numbers saved in it
If the child uses nappies during the day you will also need all the usual stuff for that.
Following is a list of possible risks, with how to reduce the risk (or damage) in brackets:
- Child gets hurt (e.g. falls out of a tree; take first aid kit)
- Inclement weather (take appropriate clothing)
- No one else shows up (this only happened once! We had fun in nature anyway)
- Child gets tired (take sleeping device e.g. buggy)
- Arrive late and everyone has moved on (take mobile with phone numbers in it)
- Child gets bored (have activity up sleeve e.g. hide and seek, crafts, fairy village, songs)
- Need to pee (use bush!)
- Need to poo (use nappy or use real toilet when available, if not use nature toilet, occasionally child has had accident (smelly but not the end of the world!)).
- Feeling excluded (we aim to be inclusive and friendly, we’ve all been here for the first time once!)
Nurture in nature is an informal gathering of parents and although we always look out for one another each of us also has ultimate responsibility for ourselves and our own children, and no nurture in nature organiser or helper is liable for any damages incurred.
