Children from 11 Cardiff schools left the concrete jungle behind to spend a day making friends in a woodland on the outskirts of the city.
There wasn’t an X-box or a Playstation in sight as 70 children played in mud, clambered over fallen tree trunks and built shelters in Forest Fawr, in the shadow of Castell Coch, between Tongwynlais and Caerphilly.
The Forest Friends day was organised by Forestry Commission Wales Education Officer Cathy Velmans to celebrate the International Year of the Forest.
Children from nursery age up to 11-year-olds had fun getting to know each other as they got their hands dirty exploring the woodland, examining leaves and looking for bugs.
They also cooked their own lunch over a woodland fire and learned how to use small tools to work with green wood under the watchful eye of Cathy and trained Forest School leaders, as well as other helpers.
The day was made possible with the help of the Forest Education Initiative (FEI), which provided FEI cluster groups all over Wales with £250 to commemorate this important year for woodlands.
Cathy said the day had taken a lot of work to organise because of the number of schools involved, but it had proved a resounding success.
“It was great to watch children from all walks of life mixing together as they explored their woodland playground.
“Getting active in the outdoors, as children used to do before games consoles came along, is so important for their health and woodlands provide many exciting opportunities for recreation and enjoyment.
“The occasion was a huge success for children and adults alike. Everyone went home dirty, tired but very happy and keen to repeat the experience.”
The schools taking part were St Pauls CIW Primary, Peterlea Primary, Hawthorn Primary, Coryton Primary, Howells Girls School, Hywel Dda Primary, Meadowbank special school, Moorland Primary, Mountstuart Primary, Fairwater Primary and Ely & Caerau nursery school.
The Forestry Commission Wales Woodlands for Learning team introduces thousands of children to the benefits of using woodlands for learning every year, through school visits and educational events.
The United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests and invited governments, organisations and individuals to do all they can to raise awareness of the key role of forests and sustainable forest management in building a greener, more equitable and sustainable future.
