Wild Ground

Explore and connect to nature through a creative, collaborative and playful adventure with wildground
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Wild Ground Creative Adventures facilitates nature play sessions and creative bush adventures for families and children. Our range of programs aim to reconnect adults and children back to a deeper awareness of themselves, others and nature. ABOUT US
Business Owner, Facilitator and Blogger
Danielle has worked as an educator and group facilitator in a variety of contexts over the past 15 years in th

e arts, primary school education and outdoor adventure industries. She has also managed and implemented a variety of creative-based events, programs and community spaces and worked as a freelance writer, performer and art creator. She is the single mother of two adventurous and wild children. Bush School Facilitator
Andrea is passionate about adventuring and exploring the bush with her five year old boy. Originally from Canada, she has a background in social work and primary teaching and has spent a lot of time in the northern communities of Canada. Alongside skiing and yoga, she is passionate about bushwalking.

12/08/2024

Read about our recent immersive event over at Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative

The recent Magnify event at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre brought insects, and their role in our ecosystems, into the limelight.

07/08/2024

Still blows my mind that this is my “classroom” where I get to spend an entire day each week teaching, learning, mentoring, creating, exploring, adventuring and being with a dozen kids!

07/08/2024

Our friends down at Able 2 are offering some great holiday adventures in spring. Their Bush Therapy programs are led by the fabulous Ruth Hodgson. Check them out. ❤️🦋😍🐛🐝

31/07/2024

We worked together to get the bell tent up AND down today… teamwork, problem solving, perspective taking, self-determination, belonging… and fun!

31/07/2024

I wanted to get a photo of our soup and bread today, but it was all gone too quick!

25/07/2024

Term 3 is off to a sunshine-filled start!

15/07/2024

What’s your favourite thing to cook on the campfire?

14/07/2024

Wandering discoveries and best cubby house ever.

14/07/2024

Wandering and connecting…

09/07/2024

Fireside feast of goodness! Collaboration, team work, persistence, risk management and fun… it’s all there from fire starting and management through to food prep, cooking and eating!

09/07/2024

Holiday adventure fun today - exploring, connecting, chilling, playing in the bush and at the waterfall cave and experimenting with combining and heating materials to make natural paint and ink…

07/07/2024

Winter holiday programs start tomorrow! Grab your spot around the campfire by 5pm tonight. See you there!

06/07/2024

Only 24 hours til our cart closes for winter holiday programs. Dont miss out on the opportunity for your child to learn, grow and enjoy the wonders of winter bushcraft. Embrace the rain! Alongside campfire activities, bushwalking and play, we’ll have our cozy bell tent set up to ensure everyone stays warm and dry when needed if the rain sets in. And besides, there’s nothing quite like a puddle-stomping bushwalk in a cozy jacket and gumboots with friends, followed by a snuggly warm campfire!

Book now:
wildground.com.au/schoolholidays

28/06/2024

Only one week left til the holidays! Have you booked a winter adventure yet?

25/06/2024

Years ago, one of our students, who was just 7 at the time, had an unforgettable campfire experience. He spent the morning learning how to light a fire using flint and steel. After many attempts, he finally succeeded and proudly exclaimed, "I rolled out a giant spark. I'm so proud of myself. I worked really hard and then I did it." It's a memory he still talks about with pride and joy, even now at 12 years old.

Why Campfire Skills Matter:
Building a campfire might seem simple, but it encapsulates so many crucial elements of learning and growth. Here’s why I believe it’s a must-have skill for kids:

🔥Developing Patience and Focus: Lighting a fire requires perseverance and concentration. Gathering materials, creating sparks, and nurturing a flame teaches children patience and focus.

🔥 Boosting Problem-Solving Abilities: Managing a campfire involves understanding risk. Supervising their actions helps kids develop problem-solving skills and resilience.

🔥 Satisfying Sensory Needs: Campfire skills can satisfy sensory needs. Handing a flint and steel to a dysregulated child may seem counterintuitive, but the repetitive action soothes and brings focus.

🔥 Risky Play for Real-Time Risk Management: Campfire management teaches kids to assess situations, make informed decisions, and stay safe, developing crucial risk management skills.

🔥 Building Confidence: Children learn to gather materials, light a fire safely, and maintain it. These activities boost their confidence and independence.

🔥 Encouraging Environmental Awareness: Campfire skills help children learn about the importance of respecting nature. They understand the need to gather materials responsibly, avoid damaging the environment, and leave no trace behind.

Book our campfire programs this school holidays: https://wildground.com.au/schoolholidays

24/06/2024

As the solstice passed this weekend, I was reminded of our many cherished winter traditions over the years, like gathering around a campfire. Beyond warmth, it offers tangible experiences and lessons for my own children.

A Family Tradition:
Many winter evenings often begin with a backyard campfire. From gathering twigs to lighting the spark, my kids are involved every step of the way, bonding and learning practical skills.

These sessions offer invaluable benefits:

Practical Skills:
Kids learn to gather materials, light fires safely, and feel accomplished and independent.

Embracing Risky Play:
Supervised actions build problem-solving skills and resilience, as they assess situations and stay safe.

Connecting with Nature:
Campfires offer a break from screens, fostering a deep connection with nature and inner peace.

Fostering Teamwork and Community:
Building fires is a team effort, teaching cooperation and bonding with family and community.

Encouraging Creativity:
Unstructured time sparks imagination and storytelling, fueling creativity in a natural setting.

These are the kinds of enriching experiences we bring to our holiday programs, teaching campfire skills in a safe, engaging way. Your children will gain practical knowledge and embrace nature’s warmth and community. Will you join us?

Book here: https://wildground.com.au/schoolholidays

23/06/2024

Have you booked your spot for our upcoming holiday programs yet?

17/06/2024

Come join us for a morning of singing. exploring and messy nature play! Katoomba 10-12pm see you there! Bookings essential.

https://wildground.com.au/bush-playgroup-1/bush-playgroup-thursday-group-c6e4p

13/06/2024

Sharing some upcoming adventures and activities over the winter months that will continue to inspire creativity and connection with nature. Mark your calendars and book your spot today!

12/06/2024

Did you enjoy Magnify? Favourite moment??

We are still basking in the glow of our MAGNIFY: An Immersive Insect World event, and we wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for making it truly special.

Your presence and energy brought an extra layer of magic to the day, especially with all the gorgeous costumes! Witnessing families and children dive into the enchanting world of insects, creating stunning flower artworks, and immersing themselves in the captivating performances by BAH-HAH Circus and Amelie Ecology’s music filled us with immense joy.

Reflecting on the success of MAGNIFY, I can’t help but think back to the beginnings of Wild Ground. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since I embarked on this journey.

There was so much I could have said in that theatrical moment on Saturday when that cheeky “Dragonfly” failed to resist the allure of a ten-year birthday donut during our food clowning antics. Perhaps it’s lucky that “Dragonfly” stuffed my mouth with a whole donut in one fell swoop because I’d still be there thanking all those who have supported me to continue persevering and creating against some rather bizarre and trying odds over the years! From my early days teaching music to a diverse range of children, through various roles in outdoor education, community workshops/events and art projects, to my travels and adventures around the globe, each experience has shaped my belief in the power of immersive experiences to foster creativity, authenticity and connection.

It is this belief that inspired the birth of Wild Ground.

At Wild Ground, we’ve always believed that nature isn’t separate from us—it’s woven into the fabric of who we are. Our programs, from Bush School, playgroup, to literacy and science learning initiatives, are designed to reinforce this connection and inspire wonder in the world around us…

more recently our immersive productions like BTS and Magnify have allowed us to invite audiences into imagined worlds. Deepening our connection with nature and each other in more overt creative ways using immersive theatre, music and art….

I couldn't have embarked on this journey over the years alone. It was through the unwavering support of friends, family, and community that I found the courage to pursue this vision. A heart felt THANK YOU to each of you. You know who you are!

07/06/2024

Gather around the campfire these School holiday with Wild Ground! We’ve got some fun adventures in store. Check out our website for details!

03/06/2024

We’ve heard your questions: “Can we support this FREE event”? And “Will you have merch on the day”? The answer to both is a resounding YES!

Introducing the Magnify Album Kit, featuring the Amelie Ecology’s digital album and a limited edition, handmade flower press!

https://wildground.com.au/shop/magnify-album-kit

With this flower press, we invite you to observe the ecology around you- to adventure into the bush and find flowers and foliage that you can press to make bee-utiful artworks.

But guess what? Amelie has only made 180 kits for Magnify. That’s only 180 in existence in the whole universe!

To ensure you don’t miss out on this limited edition press and to skip the queue at the event pre-order your Magnify album kit and pick it up on the day.

Your support by purchasing an album kit (or two) also help us to fund this FREE community event, ensuring we can continue creating memorable experiences for everyone.

https://wildground.com.au/shop/magnify-album-kit

We can’t wait to see you at MAGNIFY: An immersive insect world

02/06/2024

Time and space to build friendships, skills and passion at their own pace

02/06/2024

At Wild Ground, we believe in creating inclusive events that welcome everyone. We understand that each family has unique needs, and we strive to make our events accessible and enjoyable for all.

So to ensure you and your family have a fantastic experience at our up-coming MAGNIFY event, Dan has put together a simple and helpful PDF resource…

"What to Expect at MAGNIFY."

This guide includes all the essential information you'll need, from activities to expect to tips on what to bring.

This resource is designed to help you and your family prepare for an unforgettable day. By knowing what to expect, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, making the most of all the activities and performances we have planned.

This guide is just one way we aim to support you and your loved ones, providing clear information and tips to help everyone feel comfortable and engaged.

We’re excited to offer this immersive experience that celebrates our intrinsic connection to nature in a creative and playful way. Our activities and performances are designed to engage all your senses and inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Thank you for your overwhelming support and enthusiasm. We can't wait to see you and your family at MAGNIFY!

31/05/2024

Remember our favourite Dragonfly from Kangaroo Valley during our canoe adventure .the.surface.adventure ? She’s simply buzzing to come to MAGNIFY to celebrate and dance to Amelie’s new songs from her album release and enjoy chatting, creating, dancing, playing and sciencing with you all! Especially the sciencing bit! Microscopes! We’re gonna get riiiiiight up close to all things in our lil insect world.. It’s going to be wild!

Address

Blackheath, NSW
278

Website

http://www.wildground.com.au/

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🎁 Give the gift of exploration and creativity this Christmas with our Wild Ground gift card! 🌿✨ Let your loved ones embark on nature-inspired adventures, fostering imagination and outdoor play. It’s perfect for those seeking meaningful experiences in the great outdoors and an alternative gift idea. Give the gift of lasting memories! 🌳🎄 #WildGroundGiftCard #NaturePlay #christmasgiftideas2023 https://wildground.com.au/bush-school-adventures/k4zje8tkfkly0byufz0riprcz8hoc9

Cart closes for term four adventures today! Have you booked your adventure with Wild Ground yet?

We can’t wait to see those of you booked in to our Adventure Day tomorrow. For those who missed out, we hope to do more community days in the future. And the cart opens for our term four programs this coming weekend. See you out there!

Julie and Dan have started peaking “beneath the surface” into the microscopic world… Follow their art project journey over on Instagram: @beneath.the.surface.adventure https://www.instagram.com/p/Coby6zkBT1t/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= #theyhavebrains #rotifer #smallestanimal #wildgroundcreativeadventure #fock #take3forthesea #wtfock#natureconnection

Would you believe it if I told we were creating a bunch of poems over yonder? Meanwhile little siblings were stomping and squelching in the mud... #literacy #outdoorlearning #wildinvestigators #dramagames #homeschool #poetry

Here’s a throwback to last Greater Sydney lockdown and our sharing of Wild Ground’s circle time song to Acknowledge Country written by Hali Gabardi. Today we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country. We acknowledge the Ancestral relationships, the ongoing impact of colonisation, and the continuance and thriving of Culture. Today we’re on Darug and Gundungurra Country and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging." #weavingwildwonder

This is the trail going up over “turtle mountain” to our turtle rock space. Or should I say waterfall!! #bushplaygroup #bushschool #forestschool

No peaceful meandering and water play at Fairy Falls today for our Wild Ground families!! It is beyond wild!!! #bushplaygroup #forestschool #natureplay #bushschool #wildinvestigators

Check out this fantastical creature (Didymuria violescens) spotted by @caradene_hannan when we were packing up Bush School adventures last week 📷 by @caradene_hannan

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Our Story

Wild Ground Creative Adventures facilitates nature play sessions and creative bush adventures for families, children and women. Our range of programs aim to reconnect adults and children back to a deeper awareness of themselves, others and nature.

Wild Ground is proudly a woman-run business and is based in the Blue Mountains, NSW. It was founded by Danielle Carey and has been running for the past four years.

Business Owner, Blogger and educator Danielle has worked as an educator and group facilitator in a variety of contexts over the past 15 years in the arts, primary school education and outdoor adventure industries. She has also managed and implemented a variety of creative-based events, programs and community spaces and worked as a freelance writer, performer and art creator. She is the single mother of two adventurous and wild children.

Bush School Facilitator Andrea is passionate about adventuring and exploring the bush with her five year old boy. Originally from Canada, she has a background in social work and primary school teaching and has spent a lot of time in the northern communities of Canada. Alongside skiing and yoga, she is passionate about bushwalking.