Testimonials and Who we work with

“The Woods for Learning staff were courteous and helpful 10++++”

“Just want to take this opportunity to say how blessed we are here in Horsham to have this amazing experience available to our very fortunate kids! So grateful to our school Holbrook primary for investing in this unique, fun-filled, rich experience of life and naturewhich all the kids just love and talk about so much! :-) Huge thank you to Gary Marlow who conducts it with so much of skill and is ever so good with the children. Yvette has learnt so much from fire-lighting to whittling, identifying applewood, what's poisonous & what's safe etc....obviously, the mud spa & mudslides were the highlights. Yvette's words 'Mum, this is the BEST experience EVER!!!' - this is coming from a girl who has camped several times, who is a cub and has a very full, fun-filled life already!”

“I wish Woods for Learning huge success in the future and hope that many more schools , scouting bodies and private organizations will use this very highly recommended site for the benefit of our children. Thank you for making education FUN! :-)”

“Just to say Freddie is having a whale of a time with the after-school club

Gary was amazing he kept in regular contact with me (Tasha) to keep me updates on what we had planned, he gave me all the paperwork I needed including in depth risk assessments. When we had some challenging behaviour, Gary supported us in including the child back into the session. A brilliant session that all the children have asked to go to again! Thank you, Gary and Woods for learning.”

“I took my 4.5-year-old to Mini Bugs club for the first time today! He loved it! He loves being outside and usually in the mud and dirt, so it was right up his street! He has learning difficulties and speech and language disorder so being in a practical environment was brilliant for him! Gary is just superb with the kids regardless if their abilities but in particular with my son. Gary's patience and understanding were first class! The way he explained things and got my son involved with things like building a fire was excellent! Something that I thought my son may find hard actually gave him confidence in his abilities! It was great that Gary also used Makaton that supported my son understanding instructions. The whole experience was lots if fun! From the bug hotel to collecting things to create a picture and not forgetting the hot chocolate!! We cannot wait to go back next week! I really recommend trying out MiniBugs! Trust me it's not just for kids.”

“My two children Sophie & Jay attended your 1-day woods for learning event in Leechpool Woods last Thursday. I just wanted to say that they absolutely loved it, and had a great time. They have learned a lot of new skills, had a blast, and came home very excited and chatty about all the stuff they had done. All signs of an excellent day, if you ask me. Thanks for your efforts! They would love to attend again. They had a fantastic time and have not stopped talking about the mud slide!”

“Charlie loved his day and would definitely come back again. Thank you!”

“Ash had a great day today. Thank you very much Gary!”

“Huge amounts of fun and learning with Gary Marlow on Woods for Learning day. Highly recommend. Toasted marshmallows on campfire, made muddlings, bug hunts, colour hunts and much more.”

“I took my boys (aged six and 3) to the Muddy Shelters event on Sat 3rd May and they LOVED it! They learnt so much and my youngest who is normally terrified of creepy crawlies quite happily held a millipede in his hand after going but hunting with Gary. Worth every penny and the boys can't wait for the next event!”

“Really enjoyed ourselves today, the children enjoyed all of the activities Ella particularly liked learning how to light a fire and skill of whittling. Thank you for a good morning”

 The Hill Family

“Really well organised. Great range of activities for everyone which kept children’s interest. Will definitely come to future events.”

The Murphy family

“

Brilliantly organised and great pace/range of activities. Nice having the fire and the drinks/food too; worked well to entertain the littler ones! Will definitely look out for future events! “

The Hofmans

“Had a great morning – very impressed that there’s things for the really little ones to keep them entertained as well. Great to do something outdoors for a change! Will look out for future events. Thank You!”

The Minalls

“The kids enjoyed the freedom to explore. They loved the fire and Ella was transfixed with Whittling. As a parent I liked the way things were explained and the safety of the environment. The boys enjoyed everything – especially the fire and being allowed to use the loppers. They loved dens so more of that would be great. Will certainly come again.”

Hodge/Dales family

“Loved the whole day, it has been great for adults and kids get out in the woods and learn some skills and have fun. A fantastic program. Everyone enjoyed and learned.”

Jason/Ben

“Great fun – kids loved it, lots of variety and chances to try new things. Lovely to spend some structured time outdoors.”

Mark, Lorraine, Niamh and Marnie Owen

“Good to have some primitive outdoor time with the girls, cheers”

The Peacocks.

“Kids really enjoyed it, great fun in the woods!”

Ethan, Lewis and Tony

“Brilliant time had by all (2 and 4-years and adults)! Great to learn new skills & how to make use of what is around us.”

Michelle

“I enjoyed setting the cotton wool on fire!”

(Child)

“Had a lovely time together learning useful new skills. Thank you!”

“Firstly a HUGE thank you for the party yesterday for Liam's birthday. We thought it was really fab. Liked that you had organised the area for the camp.  Liked the fire triangle the tree log for all to sit on and the covered area.  We liked the treasure hunt for the magic cups, making the gnomes especially the eyes and the whittling of the sticks for cooking the marshmallows. The potato peelers were a simple idea and can start Liam on the carrots at home!”

“The fire lighting and the fire area was well organised with very clear safety instructions and all children understood and obeyed well. We also liked the little touches like the hand washing station. THANK YOU again for a great afternoon that I'm sure Liam will remember for long time to come. Regards, Jen (PS My Dad loved it - he really loved promoting the woods and how to look after it).”

“Great activities and nice mix of skills, fun and nature. We'll definitely come again. Thanks again.

We had a great time this afternoon in the woods, the Adders surprise guest appearance was brilliant! The icing on the cake would have been a successful fire but there's always next time!”

“Thanks for a fab session this morning! We all had a great time despite the rain!

Despite cold wet weather we had loads of fun in Woods this morn. Kids learned so much and they loved toasting marshmallows. Thanks Gary Marlow, we will be definite regulars. Oh yes kids of today called cyber kids need an outdoors events more to be able to live life better, you will Love it...even in rain with freezing cold hands my three (even Fleur) thoroughly entertained. Great for Kids with autism as they can kind of do what activity they want...but there is structure too. We will be regulars.”

“Just back from the wet and muddy, but thoroughly enjoyable launch of Woods for Learning with Gary Marlow. The girls had so much fun they wanted to stay for the next session! Well done Gary. It was fab!”

“Just a quick e-mail to say thanks for Thursday. Nathaniel hasn't stopped talking about it and is already wanting more! Despite the weather we had a great time and really enjoyed the opportunity to get stuck straight into making fires and finding bugs. You mentioned the night walk in March - I couldn't see it on the website - but we're keen to sign up for that as well (and other holiday stuff you've got planned for Easter/Summer) Best wishes Jim.”

“We came home soaked, freezing, filthy and full of good stories to tell about our brilliant morning and can't wait for the next one! Darcy was particularly keen to tell her dad how she was made 'leader' of the walk back to camp and it certainly made her forget about the cold fingers, good work.”

“Brilliant! Very motivational for wet weather! Though Shame about the crazy wet and coldness!”