Pathfinders

Pathfinders is an in-school small group intervention programme targeted at primary age children. It uses bushcraft skills as an aid to personal development.

It is designed for children who may have:

~ low self-esteem

~ a lack of confidence in themselves

~ anxiety issues

~ anger issues

~ social difficulties

~ a fear of failure

~ a lack of resilience or an inability to persevere

~ difficulties with focus

The programme aims to encourage and develop:

~ self motivation

~ perseverence and focus

~ attention to detail

~ self confidence

~ teamwork

~ reflection and meta-cognition

~ patience

~ self sufficiency

~ well-being

~ respect for self, others and the environment

~ application of transferable skills

All sessions are run by a qualified teacher

Where: each session will take place outside, in the school grounds

Group size: a minimum of two children, a maximum of five

Duration: an hour to an hour and a half - this is flexible

Resources: Wildly Curious will provide all resources

Communication: Wildly Curious will provide teachers with session information, and can update parents (letter/email)

Cost: please contact Wildly Curious to discuss your needs

Read some recent research

here

For example, children exposed to the natural world showed increases in self-esteem. They also felt it taught them how to take risks, unleashed their creativity and gave them a chance to exercise, play, and discover. In some cases nature can significantly improve the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), providing a calming influence and helping them concentrate.

And for people suffering from physical illness or mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, interacting with nature can help people control their symptoms or even recover, alongside conventional medication.

“Nature isn’t a miracle cure for diseases,” says McRobert, “But by interacting with it, spending time in it, experiencing it and appreciating it we can reap the benefits of feeling happier and healthier as a result.”