Children's Activities

New for 2012 TheCanoeMan, in conjunction with Activ-8 Adventure, is pleased to offer fun outdoor activities for children in the school holidays.

Can you remember the things you used to do as a child? If you are like most other adults you will probably remember;

• A considerable amount of freedom to play outside from a very early age – often roaming quite far away from home and adult supervision, playing with older children and younger children – often whole streets of children played together and learned from each other, making a mess and getting messy.
• Being resourceful and using anything you could find as a play prop
• Sorting out your own conflicts rather than running to an adult for help
• Making judgements about risk and in the process learning about physical limitations and moral boundaries

When ask to recall the things they did in their youth which were potentially risky, adult’s list climbing trees, playing in rivers and streams, riding fast down hills on homemade sledges or go-karts, building dens.

The children today are unlikely to have the same kinds of memories. The increased volume of traffic and the media-fuelled fear of abduction have understandably made many parents afraid of allowing their children to play away from close adult supervision. Television, video and computer games also have a much bigger role in children’s lives. What young children need to be given is the opportunity to engage with physical risk and challenge;

• Learning how to negotiate natural hazards such as tree roots, water, ice
• Learning how to use tools and equipment safely and purposefully
• Developing control and coordination of their bodies
• Trying out new ideas and being willing to have a “have a go”
• Solving problems
• Being resourceful, inventive and creative
• Getting messy
• Having fun in the woods

The activities we are offering are all aimed at giving children the chance to experience and learn from the natural environment. Activ-8 Adventure are licenced with the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority meaning you can be assured of the safety of your child and the quality of the instructors delivering the activities.

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Water proofs, stout footwear are a must (no fashion trainers please!) and please wear old clothes they can get messy and dirty.

	Headdresses, Cloaks and Wands Many traditional cultures used natural head-dresses to draw attention to the head, where they believed the soul or spirit resided. The wearing of a crown also implies high rank and importance. Have a go at making crowns and headdresses using natural and recycled materials gathered on a forage *in the woods. Using natural materials gathered on a forage* create a magical cloak and wand to perform magic spells on your friends and family. Suitable children 4+. Children are encouraged to come dressed as fairies, wizards, Harry Potter etc

	Story Stick Woodland Walk & Campfire Cookery Meeting; Pedals & Paddles 10 Norwich Road Wroxham NR12 8RX Stories are all around us – in newspapers, books, on TV and on the internet – but storytelling only happens when the story is passed directly from one person to person, without the use of print or technology. Come and create a story stick of materials gathered on a walk in the woods and then recount your journey around the campfire with a mug of hot chocolate and a story from TheCanoeMan about one of his wild adventures. Suitable children 4+ Many children never cook for themselves, so it’s a thrill to prepare and cook food out in the woods. Learn to make bread and cook it over the embers of a fire. Suitable for all the family. If adverse weather we will run the activity indoors using gas camping stoves. Suitable children 7+

	Masks & Marionettes Meeting; Pedals & Paddles 10 Norwich Road Wroxham NR12 8RX TheCanoeMan becomes Kate Humble for the afternoon!!! Join us on a walk in the woods to see what wintered feathered friends we can spot, returning to our centre at Pedals and Paddles to make bird feeders to keep our garden visitors happy over the winter months. Suitable children 7+ Learn to read a map and follow our trail to find the treasure in the woods. Time 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Suitable 7+

	Winter Watch, Tracking & Bird Feeders Meeting; Pedals & Paddles 10 Norwich Road Wroxham NR12 8RX Learn how to blend into the background and disappear into the woods* using natural materials and facepaints, once camouflaged we set off to try stalking animals, allowing you to get up close. It’s all about moving softly and silently with every muscle under control and being able to freeze instantly. Please wear green, brown or dark clothes. Suitable children 7+ Masks transform the wearer into someone else. Make a fun mask to conjure up fun, mystery, magic or menace from natural materials found on a forage to the woods*. The masks we make are Venetian-style as some children are uncomfortable about covering their faces. Suitable children 4+

	Fishing & Pool Kayaking Meeting; Pedals & Paddles 10 Norwich Road Wroxham NR12 8RX Come with us for a day’s fishing*, all equipment supplied, you just need to bring a packed lunch. Suitable children 8+

*denotes that we will be travelling to a woodland site from Pedals & Paddles Wroxham in one of our minibus. All our vehicles are fitted with seat belts.

All children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Waterproofs and wellies are a must!!!!!  We will be outdoors regardless of weather, children need lots of warm layers, hat gloves and a change of clothing/footwear if they do get wet.

All members of our staff are CRB checked and first aid trained.  We are members of the Institute of Outdoor Learning and we are AARLA registered.  We carry public liability insurance and have been providing outdoor activities and adventures for children for the past 8 years.

If you require any further details or would like to talk about other dates, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email info@TheCanoeMan.com or on 0845 4969177

Children's Activities from TheCanoeMan - Headdresses, Cloaks and Wands - Story Stick Woodland Walk & Campfire Cookery - Masks & Marionettes - Winter Watch, Tracking & Bird Feeders - Fishing & Pool Kayaking