There is no excuse for children to be bored and sat at home during the summer holidays, thanks to a range of summer activities hosted by the Children’s Centre Community Farm.

Eager participants will be able to get their hands dirty with courses on many rural, outdoor based topics, such as food growing, animal rearing, bushcraft, foraging and cooking food from scratch with produce taken straight from the ground, all under the guidance of experienced instructors.

’We will be planting winter crops, and harvesting the summer’s fruits and vegetables,’ explained farm co-ordinator Lee Brooks on what to expect on the scheme this summer.

’The kids will get involved in simple woodwork, learn how to make teas from wild plants, survey and identify bugs, and help manage and care for our loaghtan, goats, pigs, donkeys, hens, rabbits and guinea pigs.

’It is one big learning experience, in the most natural way possible.’

The courses, consisting of five day long sessions, run for four weeks, throughout August, between 10am and 3.30pm.

Two of the weeks, between July 31 and August 4, and August 14 to 19 will be geared towards children aged between eight to 11, and the weeks of August 7 to 11 and 21 to 25 will cater for 12 to 14 year-olds.

The 15-acre rural education site, situated at Wallberry Farm, Douglas, was set up in 2011, and works with schools, young adults with learning difficulties, community groups and the public.

It is mostly funded by donations, including great support from the Scheinberg family.

’The whole idea of the farm was to create an environment to help young people develop and realise their own potential,’ said Lee.

’A farm is an ideal setting, as it is fun, safe and there is no end of things to do all year round.

’We hope the skills young people pick up help them look after themselves in their everyday life; understanding food, being physically active, socialising, taking on responsibilities, being accountable, exercising patience and resilience when things go wrong.

’That is important; crops sometimes fail, rabbits sometimes escape and nails sometimes get bent. That’s all totally fine. We learn and have another go.’

The holiday club sessions will all be run by Lee and the Community Farm team.

’Those who come here are encouraged to get fully involved with every step of the process.

’We hope to help nurture knowledge and respect for the environment, a sense of community and the value of getting stuck in and supporting each other. And also have loads of fun along the way.’

The courses cost £25 per day or £115 for the whole week, and can be booked by contacting Lee on 431617, or by email to [email protected]

by Mike Wade

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