Outdoor learning vital for children, says Alicia Kearns MP
Attending the Kids Country and BASC Cubs and Scouts Day at the weekend, Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, was keen to highlight the importance of outdoor learning experiences for children: “Time and time again the benefits of the outdoors and exercise for children have been proven, which is why Scouts, Cubs and Kids Country are so important.
“I enjoyed attending an event run by Kids Country and BASC just this weekend and saw first-hand how much the children enjoyed our countryside and learning about how it can be conserved for many more generations to come. It was also fantastic to see the children learn how to prepare and eat game. It is vital such skills are maintained, particularly amongst our young people.”
Alicia Kearns MP joins Cubs and Scouts learning key bushcraft skills
The Cubs and Scouts Day welcomed packs from across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland to take part in a range of activities to help them work towards their activity badges. Children took part in nature trails, learnt how to prepare a woodpigeon as sustainable meat, airgun shooting and safety, and bushcraft.
Curtis Mossop, BASC head of pathways, said: “This was an event which we have been planning for a while now and I am really pleased with how successful it has been – the feedback has been excellent! Providing nearly 120 Cubs and Scouts with hands on, engaging and educational activities has been a real team effort, but it is another example of the great collaborative partnerships which BASC are involved in which benefit young people.
“It was heartening to see so many youngsters with a genuine thirst for knowledge and passion for the countryside taking part and enjoying themselves. We designed a bespoke range of activities, all focused on the Scout’s awards and badges, which helped to contextualise the experience.”
Children learn how to prepare a woodpigeon for cooking
With a full programme of events this year, local education initiative Kids Country offers opportunities to help primary school children learn about food, farming and conservation of the countryside.
Sandra Lauridsen is education manager for Kids Country, the not-for-profit educational arm of the East of England Agricultural Society. She says: “It is great to be back delivering face-to-face events back at the Showground – for children nothing beats this kind of learning, feeling with your hands, and seeing with your own eyes, as well as speaking to the farmers who grow food for us.”
The Kids Country flagship event, their Food and Farming Day, takes place on Friday 1st July and with over 2,000 primary school children already booked in, this promises to be another standout experience for local children.
If you would like to sign your school up for any of the Kids Country events, or volunteer to help deliver one of their events this year, please contact slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk or 01733 961024, or visit www.kids-country.co.uk
Images by Matt Kidd, Kingfisher Content
