AIBU to hate Forest School?

[thetreelooksnice]

That's it. My kids hate it. They get cold and muddy. It was OK when they were younger but now they want to stay in the warm to study!

[elliejjtiny]

How old are they? I don't get forest school. I thought it was a little children thing (preschool and reception). But now they have just started doing it at my dc's school and my son in year 5 is doing it.

[JenTeale]

YABU

If they're cold and muddy you are not providing the correct clothing.

They need thermal base layers, then trackie bottoms, warm jumper and fleece, and then waterproof trousers and jacket, also wellies, decent gloves and a hat.

[MrsSmudge]

Of course you're not being unreasonable. How dare they make it compulsory?

[thetreelooksnice]

lol@JenTeale The school tells us which clothing they must have!

Ellie, they are 11 and 13.

[Gazelda]

My DD loves Forest School. She's learned so much, and been enthused enough to continue some of the projects at home.
She's 9 though, maybe she'll think differently by the time she's your DCs ages.

[icelollycraving]

Ds loved it in reception but not so keen now, I get the benefits but it’s a pain in the arse. Ds loses something every week, getting him into his forest kit to go to breakfast club is a pain.
On the other hand I like him getting out on the fresh air and I’m grateful we live somewhere this is possible.

[BoilYerHeid]

YANBU. I would have absolutely hated it as a child. I loved the warmth and security of the school building and really loved wet playtimes where we got to stay indoors.

My 2 year old does quite like being outdoors (more than I do) but outdoor play in the nursery garden each day and a woodland walk once a week is perfectly adequate!

[taytopotato]

If they're cold - it's the clothing.
YABU, there are so many benefits of forest school. Your children are lucky to have them as not all schools offer this.

[icelollycraving]

^ I need to remove the splinters from my arse.

[crumpet]

I think Forest School is a great idea.

[IncyWincyGrownUp]

Forest school seems pretty pointless for the most part. If it’s part of the 9-3 curriculum I’d be worries it’s interfering with actual study too. If parents want to indulge this stuff it should be undertaken at the weekend.

[franktheskank]

I think they need more forest school type activities. They do much sitting down being force fed information at school, the more they get out and about the better

[Thymeout]

At my gs's school it's used as a sort of boot camp. He's in Yr 3 (7/8) and his class was getting out of hand so they were 'prescribed' 3 weeks of Forest School. After 15 days in the wild, they were allowed back in on a normal tt and were apparently changed beyond recognition. In a good way.

[RainbowGlitterFairy]

I love forest school, so do most of the children I work with and they get a lot out of it, however I am at primary. At secondary age I can see the benefit of once in a while as a class bonding bit of fun but I doubt they are getting that much out of it on a regular basis.

[newyearsameme80]

They need thermal base layers, then trackie bottoms, warm jumper and fleece, and then waterproof trousers and jacket, also wellies, decent gloves and a hat
Not for the poor, then.

[SoIAskYou]

My DS in Y6 loves it, but I hate it. The mud, the extra laundry, the mess in the car...argghhhh but I smile and say "aww how lovely sweetheart" .

[taytopotato]

Children will need to be ready for the zombie apocalypse

Seriously though, have a look at

[happiestcamper]

I love forest school. Everything is more fun outdoors

[Eolian]

YABU. It's good for them to be outside and do nature stuff.

[Chugalug]

Never heard of this..thought you meant the private school in london

[ssd]

I can't think of anything worse than forest school, stupid bloody middle class idea

[CrochetBelle]

I would love it if my kids had access to Forest School or similar.

Do you know that there are parts of the world where Scouting is a mandatory part of schooling?

[CaraBosse1]

Oh it's ok for a bit of fresh air but then all that leaf rubbing, den building and searching for bugs gets tedious!

[Oblomov18]

I am very very shocked at all the negative views. Forest schools are based on very good principals and are fabulous for most children.

If you are complaining about a child being cold,presumably you have provided insufficient clothing.

If you are saying your child always liars something, then maybe you need to check they have everything before leaving, like you would after any club/after school activity/etc.

Odd complaints.

[newyearsameme80]

Seriously who is paying for a giant list of clothing that would last for a season before being outgrown? If you’re used to taking kids skiing then happy days, but lots of children don’t have a decent winter coat and warm shoes never mind all this. If the school could provide clothing (as it would if you went canoeing or something) then fine.