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Four teenage girls sit on a clearing in a forest. In front of them is a large metal dish with a fire burning

Children and Young People's Activities

Wild Thursdays: Nature, Skills and Chill Time

5 Mar – 21 May 2026

Please note: Due to Easter holidays, no sessions on Thursdays 9 & 16 April.

Quick summary

Price
Free
Audience type
Ages 12+
Running time
1pm - 3pm
Venue
  • Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Additional information

Access Information

Event description

Looking for an exciting way to spend time outdoors? Our 10-week Forest School course for home educated young people aged 12 – 16 offers a chance to explore, create and connect to nature in a beautiful community garden setting in Mowbray Park.

Sessions are hands-on and learner-led with activities including tool use and green woodworking skills, campfire cooking, nature crafts, shelter building and wildlife exploration – all shaped by the interests of the group.

For the young people this is a space to be themselves, try new challenges, build confidence and enjoy time with others who learn differently. Forest school encourages independence, teamwork and problem solving, while also providing plenty of freedom to relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to get a bit wet and muddy.

For parents, the course offers a supportive, nurturing environment led by 2 qualified Forest School practitioners from OASES, with a strong focus on wellbeing, personal development and safe risk-taking. Spending regular time in nature has proven benefits for mental health, resilience and social skills, making this an enriching addition to your home education journey. Come and be part of a welcoming garden community where learning happens naturally.
This course is open to home educated young people aged 12 – 16 living in Sunderland and parents and carers are welcome to attend.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the pre-course registration form below, which includes full eligibility criteria.

We hope participants can attend the majority of sessions to get the most out of the course, but appreciate this may not be possible for lots of reasons.

For more information or to have an informal chat before applying, any questions about the course, this form or if you prefer to use a different format, please contact Jennie Lambert, Learning & Engagement Manager.

Email Jennie  or phone: 07741 621 555

Wild Thursdays Registration Form

Section 1 - About you (the young person)

About the young person applying to take part in the Wild Thursdays course.

This section must be completed for all applicants.
Name(Required)
DD dash MM dash YYYY
Home address – you must live in Sunderland(Required)
Do you have any allergies (including food), medical, or health conditions that you think we should be aware of?(Required)
Do you have any access requirements that you think we should be aware of?(Required)

Section 2 - About the parent/carer/guardian

We require permissions from your parent, guardian, or carer. Please have an adult fill out this section before moving on.

Name(Required)
Home address - you must live in Sunderland(Required)
I give permission for my child to join the Wild Thursdays course.(Required)

Section 3 - Getting to know you

How did you hear about the Wild Thursdays course?

Section 4 - Equal Opportunities

We want to make sure all creative and cultural activities are accessible and welcoming for everyone. If you're happy to share, telling us a little about yourself helps us understand how well we are reaching all children and young people in Sunderland.
Do any of the following statements apply to you?(Required)
*What do we mean by low household income? Low household income is when a household’s earnings are below the level needed to meet basic living costs such as housing, food, healthcare and education.
**What do we mean by extenuating circumstances? Extenuating circumstances are circumstances or situations that a young person has had to deal with in their day-to-day life, that is out of the young person’s control and had a negative impact on the young person. This could include a young person experiencing significant family issues or discrimination.

Section 5 - Consent and Communication

Would you like to sign up to Sunderland Culture's mailing list?
Please confirm your consent for us to store the answers on this form(Required)
For more information, please read our Privacy Policy

Wild Thursdays is part of Culture Start – an exciting programme designed to help children and young people in Sunderland take part in free creative and cultural events.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council and Lottery logo
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation logo
Sir James Knott Trust logo
Gillian Dickinson Trust logo
University of Sunderland logo
MAC Trust Sunderland Logo