Help a child connect with the natural world
‘It was the best day of my life’. Child at the end of their wild day out.
At TCV we believe it is vital that we inspire children to care about nature, protect the environment and help them to become the next generation of conservationists.
However, many children growing up in urban, green space deprived areas miss out on the chance to spend time going bug hunting, getting mucky and building a connection with nature.
That’s why we created Wild Days Out to help ignite young children’s curiosity in the natural world.
Wild Days Out, is a programme aimed at primary school-aged children growing up in urban settings and children with special needs. Research shows that these children are more likely to miss out on spending time exploring and playing freely outdoors.
This Spring, The Conservation Volunteers want to raise the funds to run over 30 wild days out during 2024 and support over 900 children around the UK living in urban areas that are deprived of green spaces.
“The children had a wonderful day on their wild day out. They were so amazed by all the things they did and were still talking about it the next day. They particularly enjoyed seeing the small mammals as the majority had not done this before. After a day like today, the children get a deeper connection with wildlife and build a love of conservation.
"I am a great believer in getting children outside exploring their own environment, breathing fresh air, having an adventure and experiencing freedom. After their day out, the children felt elated and excited and it was a day they won’t forget."
What happens on a wild day out?
On a Wild Day Out, children get the chance to see, hear and touch plants and wildlife. They can begin to understand about habitats and what different creatures need to survive. By taking part in activities such as bug hunting and pond dipping, or by building bug hotels they can experience in real life the things they learn in the classroom.
And after their day out, we aim to send the children home full of curiosity and wonder having had a great adventure and having learned something about the natural world.
Children’s feedback at the end of their Wild Day Out.
Can you help ignite a child’s curiosity in the natural world?
By giving children this first taste of the outdoors, we aim to build their curiosity in the natural world around them, increasing their confidence and inspiring them to get involved in new activities. And in future years, maybe they will help to make their school a greener place to learn, or they may enjoy growing their own vegetables or they may even choose to work in conservation.
It can all start on a TCV wild day out. Please donate what you can to help a child make their first connection with nature.
We are hoping to raise enough funds from this appeal to support the running of 30 Wild Days Out. If we are lucky enough to raise more than we need, donations will go to wherever the need is greatest within the charity.