Kids who are wild about nature can enjoy the great outdoors with a new woodland family play session in East Kilbride.
Community play group Wild About EK is back and has teamed up with Lanarkshire charity OutLET: Play Resource to bring this exciting new outdoor learning experience to town this summer.
OutLET support the wellbeing of children, young people and their families by offerIng community play, forest school and baby and toddler outdoor groups.
They also provide more specialist outdoor learning support for young people struggling to cope in a classroom environment and training on outdoor learning for educators and practitioners.
Wild About EK are an East Kilbride-based volunteer group who have been providing community play in local woodland since 2018.
Sessions will take place on the last Sunday of every month, in a woodland space in Calderwood, giving families an opportunity to play together, have fun and connect with nature.
Project coordinator Nicola Innes told Lanarkshire Live : "We are very excited to be welcoming Wild About EK into the OutLET family.
"Their committed volunteers have fantastic experience of bringing woodland play sessions to the East Kilbride community and we can't wait to work with them to provide this opportunity to local families.
"Like us, they are passionate about the undeniable benefits of access to play in local wild spaces.
"Research shows that spending time in nature has positive impacts on mental health and wellbeing for all ages, and giving children opportunities to play outdoors has countless benefits; it supports development of motor skills, problem solving capabilities, social skills and helps boost confidence and resilience.
"Helping families feel connected with nature also encourages children to develop an understanding and respect for the natural world and its importance to us all."
Wild About EK's Kirsten Robb, Green councillor for East Kilbride East, told us : "We volunteers are delighted to be restarting Wild about EK with the fabulous Outlet Play.
"We can't wait to welcome families again to play and have fun together in beautiful surroundings."
The launch session takes place on Sunday, August 28 at 2pm at woodland next to 32 Calderwood Gardens, G74 3SB. Parking is off Alloway Road.
Spaces will be limited so booking is essential. Tickets cost £5 per family and can be booked online.
For more information on these sessions or other OutLET programmes contact off@outletplayresource.co.uk
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