A story of HAF at Wild Acres
“Look what we found!” “We’ve just done our enchantment dance” “Is it my turn yet?”
by Dr Mel McCree, play worker and HAF Workshop Leader
The first HAF play day at Wild Acres was full of surprises, as days with children often are.
Being the first day of a new scheme, the children didn’t all know each other, but a good amount already knew the place. That sense of ownership you get for a place is precious, especially when you’re a child. What do children own, in this life? Their time, their choices? Not much. They own their relationships, connections and most of all, their imaginations. Nowadays, a lot of children don’t have access to many places outside they can play freely and live out wild fantasies with their friends. Wild Acres is that kind of place. A really special place for children to discover and explore.
Soon after the children trickled in, they were asking, can we go down to the stream? Can we light a fire? Is my friend coming? Yes, in time, to most of those questions. There’s a rich diversity of opportunities for play at Wild Acres. The stream is popular, creating a strong need for good wellies and spare socks! On the day, the wind was whipping across the field, not that children care about that. However, the Wild Acres crew have planted a lot of new saplings, creating a windbreak. That is just part of how they are transforming the space.
Hot drinks and a hot lunch in the camp kitchen warmed everyone up, and a fire was lit, creating the usual fascination. There is a great team on hand during the day to support the children make their own choices and follow their interests. Chefs, artists, gardeners, land stewards, forest schoolers and play practitioners.
I spent a lot of my day busy helping a queue of children whittle their favourite sticks. I’m left with a lasting and beautiful image, seeing children running down the hill and inventing wild wizarding dances round the totem pole. They came back up, eyes shining with the magic they’d created. Will they be back? I hope so, making friends with each other and the land as they go.
Dr Mel McCree
“Look what we found!” “We’ve just done our enchantment dance” “Is it my turn yet?”
by Dr Mel McCree, play worker and HAF Workshop Leader