Past events at Wild Acres

Play, Cook, and Be Creative: Summer Programme for Young People

A Summer to Remember with the HAF/HAP Programme 2024

“The team at Wild Acres made every child feel included and special.”

This August, we had the pleasure of hosting eight sessions of the “Play, Cook, and Be Creative” programme as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) initiative. With many of our sessions fully booked, it was fantastic to see so many young people aged 7 to 12 come together to enjoy the outdoors and embrace their creativity and freedom.

An Unforgettable Experience

Our sessions were thoughtfully designed to engage young people aged 7 to 12 in a variety of activities that stimulated their minds and bodies. Here’s what a typical day at Wild Acres looked like:

Team Games and Exercises: We kicked off each day with fun team games to break the ice and build camaraderie among the participants.

Campfire and Snacks: Gathering around a campfire, we enjoyed hot chocolate and Welsh cakes, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Nature and Garden Walks: Guided tours through our beautiful land allowed the children to explore nature, meet the goats and gather materials for arts and crafts.

Creative Workshops: In our accessible art studio, the young creatives used natural materials to make something special to take home.

Lunch Preparation: Harvesting fresh, organically grown ingredients from our garden, the children helped prepare delicious meals like pasta and pizza.

Exploration Time: With plenty of open space, the kids had ample opportunity to run around, explore, and let off steam.

Flexible and Inclusive Environment: We embraced a flexible approach, allowing activities to be guided by the children’s interests, ensuring everyone felt included and engaged.

Outdoor and Indoor Spaces: While we maximized our time outdoors, we had indoor spaces ready to ensure the fun continued, rain or shine.

Parents Share Their Appreciation

We were delighted to receive heartfelt feedback from parents:

  • “My son had the time of his life at Wild Acres saying it was an adventure filled with laughter. He couldn’t stop talking about the friends he made and the new skills he learned.”— parent of a 10-year-old
  • “Thank you for providing such a safe and nurturing environment. My daughter felt included and valued, and she especially loved the creative workshops. We’re already looking forward to next year!”— parent of a 12-year-old
  • “The team at Wild Acres went above and beyond to ensure the kids had fun while staying safe. The blend of outdoor activities and creative projects was perfect. Highly recommend!”— parent of a 7-year-old and 12-year-old
  • “Wild Acres was the highlight of my children’s summer! Both kids enjoyed the freedom and independence. It’s a magical gem that I am so pleased we have found!” — parent of a 9-year-old, and 10-year-old

Highlights from Georgie, Director of Wild Acres and Member of the HAF/HAP Team

“It was magical to see some kids come along and fall straight into an activity. I fondly remember one particular session where we had planned several activities for the young people to get stuck into. Instead of doing any of them, they decided they wanted to collect blackberries and start making jam together. They all worked as a team and managed the whole exercise, which was a joy to watch. They showed skills in negotiation, working out who did what, helping each other, listening to each other, and taking turns.”

“Another fond memory is watching a group of young people work together as a team to create pizza bases, like a factory line! It was a real team effort, with one particular girl taking the lead and supporting the others to make each base. Just great!”

“I loved showing the young people around the site and sharing my knowledge of what is being grown. Picking off flowers, herbs, and vegetables, and getting them to try bits—it was so much fun guiding them. But really, they were very driven and excited to get stuck in. The magic of Wild Acres is the space, wide-open space. It frees everyone’s mind and enables people to escape, feel lifted, and calm—something we all need! I was exhausted after every session, but it was so rewarding! Thank you to all the young people for teaching me a thing or two and sharing your stories.”

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Wild Acres: Where Young Minds Flourish and Memories Are Made

Wild Acres is more than just a venue; it’s a place where young minds flourish, friendships are forged, and lifelong memories are made. We are committed to continuing our mission of providing exceptional activities that are fun, safe, and creative for all young people.

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Upcoming Events: Check out our programme of upcoming events and workshops suitable for various ages.

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A Big Thank You from Wild Acres!

We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this summer’s “Play, Cook, and Be Creative” programme a huge success!

  • We extend our deepest gratitude to the Department of Education, Gloucestershire County Council, and The HAF Team for their funding and support. Your contributions make these enriching sessions possible for children across Gloucestershire. Thank you!
  • A massive shoutout to the Wild Acres team for their hard work and dedication in delivering the programme. Special thanks to Mark, Jad, Martin, Amanda, Vicky, Sally and Georgie —your commitment, energy, and passion ensured every session was fun, safe, and filled with creativity.
  • We also want to thank the wonderful young people who joined us this summer. You were truly fantastic—your wild energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity brought the programme to life, and we loved every moment of it!
  • A big thank you to the team from the Ernest Cook Trust for joining us at the Sharpness session. Your fresh ideas and enthusiasm were an incredible addition, and we’re so grateful for your support.
  • And thank you to the Quarry Chapel for letting Wild Acres run wild in your beautiful space!
Play, Cook, and Be Creative at Wild Acres! 2024 HAF/HAP Poster.