Wild Explorers gets tamariki into outdoor adventure

From lighting fires and making damper to running through the mud with friends, tamariki in Palmerston North are discovering the joy of outdoor play through Wild Explorers, a free programme delivered by Wild Nature School and Palmerston North City Council.

10-year-old Kahu has discovered a new favourite skill.

“Using the flint and steels to make a fire is my favourite activity. It’s amazing. I never knew you could do something like this. I love that I’ve learned a new skill.”

For 6-year-old Juniper, it’s as much about the freedom to play with others.

“Making damper is my favourite activity, and I love that I can run and get muddy with my friends and my sister.”

For Wild Nature School director Jane Evans, seeing tamariki experience that sense of joy, freedom and connection is what Wild Explorers is all about.

The freedom to explore

The programme gives whānau the chance to explore local outdoor spaces through a range of free activities.

Activities include everything from fire cooking, wood whittling and rock painting to building huts, nature hunts and loose parts play.

“There’s room for children to choose what interests them and participate at their own pace. Some are drawn to making things, others to exploring or trying a practical skill,” says council play adviser, Manumea (Manu) Durie.

Many activities are supported by facilitators and use simple, inexpensive or free materials, giving whānau ideas they can try at home or on their next outdoor adventure.

Discovering what’s on your doorstep

“For some whānau, heading into a wilderness space to play, without a traditional playground, is unfamiliar,” says Manu.

That was part of the thinking behind Wild Explorers.

“The city has an abundance of wonderful parks and playgrounds, but some families need opportunities to discover places they often don’t know exist and feel confident using them.”

From 35 people to hundreds

Wild Explorers began with 35 people at its first session in April. It quickly grew, with the other sessions this year attracting around 400 to 500 people each, including whānau travelling from as far away as Napier.

“We wanted more tamariki and whānau to experience adventurous outdoor play, without cost or access being a barrier, and it is achieving that,” says Manu.

Adults are getting in on the fun too.

“I laughed when I overheard one mum say to another, ‘Never mind the kids, I want a go at some of these activities!’” says Manu.

Jane sees spending time in nature as vital to a healthier, more connected and sustainable life. She believes technology has played a big part in the disconnect from ourselves, each other and nature.

“Nature is such a natural place to be. Even the smallest things, like seeing a tree, working with wood instead of plastic, identifying plants can help a child feel connected and alive.”

Inspiring play beyond Wild Explorers

For one grandparent, the inspiration continued after the session. He and a friend headed home with plans to create their own loose-parts play space for children in their neighbourhood.

“I haven’t seen what they put together but hearing him leave with that enthusiasm was exactly the kind of outcome we’d hoped for,” says Manu.