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Wild Nature Gatherings
An opportunity for you (and any little wild ones you may have) to explore your wild side through play, learning and community connection.
This facilitated experience is for you if you want to:
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Feel more energised and present
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Experience a reset
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Feel more connected to the natural world
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Benefit from nurturing quality time in nature
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Share the above with your loved ones
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Be with other nature loving folk
Our Sunday morning Wild Nature Gatherings held in beautiful bush locations offer rich nature connection experiences tailored for both adults and children. Our gatherings are held close to Anglesea (Kuarka-Dorla) in Wadawurrung and Eastern Marr Country.
We care about the incredible natural world that we are all a part of, and so we take the time to appreciate and connect. We Gather.
While we will all gather at the beginning and at the end of our time together, there will be two separate groups running for the majority of each session:
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Wild Ones - This adults group will focus on deep nature connection, mindfulness practices, bush skills and spending time Acknowledging Country in a meaningful way
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Wild Sparks - This kids and adults group will explore through nature based play, mindfulness activities, bush skills, story sharing, arts & crafts
Please note we warmly welcome diversities of all types, ages, genders, cultural, sexuality, relationship status, and abilities - Nature is so diverse and loves diversity and so do we - there is a place for everyone in our Gatherings.
Next Gathering:
Sunday 28th May - 10:30am - 12:00pm
*this is a FREE offering - supported by the Anglesea Community House and the Surf Coast Shire
See below to read a little more about us and our passions for fostering deep nature connection.
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What makes these gatherings special? (or different to other events you may have gone to?)
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Our workshop model is unique! Each session will have 2 workshops running concurrently. Wild Nature Gatherings offer an opportunity for both adult-centred time in nature in our Wild Ones group AND child-centred nature based play and exploration in our Wild Sparks group (a carer must stay with the child/children in this group) - So the best of both worlds!
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We will create an opportunity for you, and your loved ones, to really slow down, appreciate and genuinely connect with the natural world. This is likely to be quite different to what we can all tend to do in our busy lives which can be to just go on a bit of a stroll through it. These Gatherings will be about experiencing ourselves as part of nature.
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Acknowledging the Traditional Custodians on whose Country we will gather is very important to us and we will do our best to humbly try to honour them. We are continually learning about ways to respect, acknowledge and learn from First Nations Country and Custodians.
3 ways to participate:
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Come as an individual to join the adult group (open to anyone over the age of 18yrs)
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Come as a family - whole family joins Wild Sparks (adult and kid group)
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Come as a family - 1 adult joins Wild Ones (adult group) and 1 adult and the kid/s joins Wild Sparks (adult and kids group)
Why 3 options for how to participate?
We think what we are offering is pretty special and something a little different… so often as parents of young kids who love and value time in nature, we find that our own connection and engagement with the world around us is through the eyes and learning of our kids. While this is incredibly valuable and (mostly) very enjoyable, what we can also really crave is time in nature for and by ourselves - to fill up our cup, feel rejuvenated, enlivened and connected more deeply to ourselves and the natural world around us.
So, when we couldn’t find it, we decided to create it ourselves!
We’ve found that adults having their own space to slow down and connect not only deepens our own practice and provides invaluable outcomes for health and wellbeing but it also enhances our capacity to support nature connection experiences we want to facilitate for our children, and be more present in life in general.
For both adults and children, time in nature, an opportunity to slow down and an invitation to connect more deeply with the ‘real’ world enhances our ability to connect to self and to reflect on our own life and place in the world. This time and space in connection and contemplation hopefully allows us to experience the concept of “wild congruence” (greater alignment between what we know is present and unfolding and how we live and respond - with no judgement of ourselves and others).
We are passionate about developing the experience AND the community - our dream is to bring together a beautiful collection of humans - young and old - who regularly meet to deepen their love, connection and care of the natural world around them.
We appreciate that individuals and families might be looking for different experiences and come in all different shapes and sizes so hopefully by offering two concurrent groups we can cater for what will work best for your unique needs.
Whichever way you choose to participate, before the morning wraps up everyone will come together for some connection and sharing as a whole group. If you wish to stay, from 12.15pm onward we will move into BYO lunch and free-play.
*Family group can mean 1 or 2 adults with children. This could be parents or carers. We require at least one adult from your family group to stay with your children at all times as part of the Wild Sparks program.
Important information:
As we are inviting all adults to help participate alongside young-ones in the space and as a requirement for some of the sites we are looking at utilising, we need every adult who is coming along to have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC).
If you already have one we will request that you send a copy through to us to have on file, if you don’t it is an easy process to apply for a volunteer WWCC online: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
FAQs
What do I need to bring?
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Sense of adventure and play, curiosity and imagination!
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Clothes - Imagine you're heading out for a 3-hour play in the bush. Bring whatever you and any kids you might be bringing need to be dry, warm and comfortable. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. If your kids have them some kind of outdoor waterproof overalls can be great but not essential.
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Food and water - Whatever food and water you need packed in backpacks so you (and any kids you might be bringing) can take it with you wherever you are knowing that you will all be in the bush and not near a car for a few hours.
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Sun protection - Hat, sunscreen and clothes that shade your skin.
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Medicines - Any medicines you and your children need.
Pop in a bandaid or three and some natural insect repellent, insect bite ointment. -
Something to sit on - For each person coming we recommend a little small something to sit on that's compact just to keep your bum dry. It could even be simply an old raincoat.
What are the first aid provisions?
Bring your own simple first aid kit. Some kids love packing a kit and can feel very important doing so. It can be a great way to begin the adventure and prepare for it!
The facilitators will have a first aid kit with each group for things that you might not have in yours.
What first aid training do the facilitators have?
Facilitators on our team have 1st Aid training and Wilderness First Aid training.
Are there toilets on site?
This will depend on the location. Some will, but it might be quite a walk to get to the toilet from where we are and some won’t.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
We are committed to going ahead with the gatherings no matter what Mother Nature throws at us - having said that in the event of extreme or dangerous weather forecast we may decide to cancel - if this happens, we will notify all participants and either credit or refund your ticket.
Are the activities suitable for children of all ages?
YES! We will aim to accommodate all ages but also ask that parents participating help to make sure activities are engaging, fun, safe and age appropriate for all children participating in the Wild Sparks group. At times we may find that there are naturally smaller groups that form to help manage age differences and different interests and that will be totally fine and encouraged.
When will we find out about the location?
At least a week before the Gathering.
What type of activities will be facilitated in the Wild Sparks (adults + kids) program?
Activities in the Wild Sparks program will be child-centred and designed in such a way that we require adults who are part of the group to really actively participate to role-model and help their little ones as needed. “Kids are and mimic what they see, often not what they’re told” is a quote we once heard, and in our nature connection workshops with kids we’ve definitely seen this be true. By all means though, if at any point anyone in your little crew needs some time out to do their own thing that is 100% encouraged and supported.
Each month we will have a different set of activities at the ready - as an idea it will be things like:
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Awakening our senses through experimenting using “dingo feet”, “kangaroo ears” and “owl eyes”
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Learning about the environment around us through exploring what lies beneath the earth, getting our hands dirty, feeling different textures, and getting curious about flora and fauna around us
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Practising the art of “wild walking”, “wonder wanders”, finding and staying in a “sit spot”
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Fire making, shelter building, animal tracking, bush shelter building, bird watching
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Nature art, bush craft, nature journaling, nature based treasure hunts, group games, songs, stories and so much more!
What type of activities will be facilitated in the Wild Ones Adults program?
Activities in the Wild Ones program will be adult-centred and designed to engage the whole self in connecting more deeply to nature and self and exploring the beautiful space where these two overlap. We will borrow from diverse bodies of work including nature connection, deep ecology, rewilding, embodiment practices, breathwork, prescencing, mindfulness and movement. Our intention is to help you slow down to become more present and to leave feeling more energised and alive!
Each month we will have a different set of activities to dive into and explore - as an idea it will be things like:
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Awakening and sharpening the senses through inquisitive exploration of the natural world around us
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Practising the art of “wild walking”, “wonder wanders”, finding and staying in a “sit spot”, communing with wild flora and fauna and learning from the world around us
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Playful games and activities designed to help us get a little child-like, a little wild and to help us “drop out” of our usual way of being, seeing and doing in the world
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Individual and collective nature art creation to help share stories and experiences in a spirit of co-creation
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Movement and embodiment practices to help calm the body and mind, find balance and centre our awareness in the present moment. This may include breathwork, gentle movements and being more aware of how we “show up” and “move through” the world
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Exploring and engaging with the elements - earth, water, fire, wind, either - as they exist both within us and the natural environment
Alicia Crawford Bell
Ali has over 20 years experience designing and facilitating personal and leadership development programs and environmental and social justice education programs for young people and community groups. She has worked with some of Australia’s leading social change organisations and with a wide variety of schools. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of social action and personal and collective wellbeing. She is a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner and holistic health coach and the founder of Liminal Life - through which she brings all of these elements together. She is committed to assisting people to connect more deeply to themselves, others and the world around them, so that they may live life aligned with their values and in service to the thriving of all. Her interests and training include personal and collective sustainability, regenerative leadership, embodied leadership, permaculture, nature connection, deep ecology, yoga, holistic health, self care and Ayurveda. Ali grew up on Boon-wurrung Country, the lands of the Yalukit-willam people in the west of Melbourne and now lives in Aireys Inlet on Wadawurrung Country with her family.
Pru Gell
Pru feels so fortunate to live with her family in Wadawurrung Country. Creator of the Bush Ocean Circle bush playgroup, she has also been a nature connection mentor for families at Firekeeper Village camps.
Through her organisation Coming to Life, Pru co-facilitates nature connection experiences, visioning workshops and retreats for organisations. Pru is a highly experienced and sought after facilitator with over 20 years experience working in diverse settings and across a broad range of sectors.
As the young people of today and species of all kinds, for generations to come, are inheriting a different and changing climate, Pru is passionate about taking the time to notice, appreciate and celebrate with others, all the life that is thriving. She hopes to be a good ancestor.
In her late teenage years Pru began working to support First Peoples’ campaigns for justice. From her early twenties Pru spent over 12 years living and working in the desert in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Garramilla (Darwin) and Yolngu Peoples Country in Arnhem Land. Her work today is deeply inspired by, and trying to honour through action, learnings patiently and generously offered to her by First People’s.
Andrew "Belly" Bell
Belly is a charismatic and engaging leader and father of two, who grew up in South West Victoria on Dhauwurd Wurrung Country - the lands of the Gunditjmara. He has dedicated his life to working with and for young people and currently works locally as a youth worker and youth work consultant with expertise and a passion for youth engagement, youth participation, youth mental health, project design and delivery, facilitation and training.
Belly is a salt water boy who loves the bush, the birds and fireside chats, and is passionate about tracking, bush skills, nature connection and getting people offline/outdoors and connected to self, others and the environment. Belly is a qualified outdoor educator and alumni of La Trobe Bendigo's Outdoor Education program, a member of the Australian Association of Bush Adventure Therapy and a student of Tom Brown Jnr's US based Tracking School. As a young man Belly summited Kilimanjaro, rafted on the Nile, hiked the Inca Trail, dived in the Caribbean Ocean and slept on the rim of multiple active Volcanoes.
Ollie Fabinyi
Ollie is a primary and secondary school teacher, parent, advocate and nature connection mentor. He has taught in a wide range of schools including specialist education settings and outdoor camps. He has significant experience working with young people with complex needs. Ollie currently teaches and works in student wellbeing, and runs outdoor nature connection workshops for LGBTIQA+ young people. Before teaching, Ollie worked as a lawyer and in community legal education, court support, advocacy and social policy, in both Victoria and in central Australia/the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. He is particularly passionate about supporting queer and gender diverse young people in and out of schools and on fostering young people’s connection to nature. Ollie lives with his family in Wadawurrung country.
Meet the Team
