Funding of 350 available for Scottish settings

Now in its second year, the Central Scotland Green Network Outdoor Learning Fund, supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, aims to promote outdoors learning and play.

Nurseries and schools can apply for a grant of between £200 and £350 to either develop their outside environments or purchase outdoor equipment.

Funding is also available to support training or other educational resources to enable staff to lead outdoor learning and natural play.

Our Lady & St Joseph’s Nursery in Lanarkshire (pictured) was one of the settings last year to receive money from the Central Scotland Green Network Outdoor Learning Fund. It used the grant to purchase waterproof trousers and jackets, a hammock, wind-up torches and waterproof notebooks for the children to use when visiting the nearby forest.

Clare Parker, who works at the nursery, said, ‘We take the oldest group of children on expeditions into the forest in their pre-school year.  The equipment we received from the Outdoors Learning Fund has been invaluable in enhancing this experience for us all.

‘The forest trips stimulate our children’s natural inquisitiveness and thirst to learn about their surroundings. I’d urge other schools and nurseries to apply for the funding, it’s worked for us.’
The deadline for applications is 11 January 2013. If the fund is oversubscribed, money will be awarded on a first come first served basis.

For more information and to enter visit:
http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org/Funding/csgn-learning-outdoors-fund.html