Forestry Commission - News - action packed day out for children in newcastleton forest

Children in the Borders can make the most of the outdoors this summer break by signing up to be Junior Forest Rangers.

Hosted by Forestry Commission Scotland, the Junior Rangers Club will start next Wednesday (July 23) and further meetings will be held on Wednesday July 30 and Wednesday August 6.

Junior rangers will get together at Newcastleton Forest, where they will be able to take part in a range of fun environmental activities such as mini beast hunts, den building and bird box building.

The club will offer children a taste of the various activities going on in the forest throughout the year and encourage them to return with their families at other times.

Local forest rangers will guide the groups in their activities and there will be the chance to take a stroll through the woods to spot wildlife and ask questions.

Forestry Commission Scotland organises events such as the Junior Rangers Club as part of its Active Woods campaign, to encourage more people to enjoy activities in Scotland’s national woods and forests.

Richard Mostyn of the Commission, believes the event is a good way of introducing families to their local forest and the fun they can have there.

He said: “The Junior Rangers Club will give local kids the chance to try out lots of different forestry activities and these reflect the activities which we organise throughout the year to get children out and about in the forest.

“With the popularity of computer games and DVDs nowadays, it’s easy to forget how much children enjoy just being outside, whether it’s riding a bike or going for a picnic.

“Hopefully, if we can encourage families to come along to this event and try out some of the free activities we organise they will be encouraged to come back again.”

The Junior Rangers Club will take place in Newcastleton Forest every Wednesday for the next three weeks (Wednesday 23rd & 30th July and Wednesday 6th August), between 10am and 12 noon.

Families are encouraged to bring along a picnic for afterwards (weather dependent) and there are a range of walks through the forest which can be enjoyed.

Open to children aged 11 and under, the event is free of charge but booking is essential and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children do not require any specialist clothing or footwear and are simply asked to wear suitable outdoor clothing and bring a waterproof jacket.

The meeting point will be Dykecrofts Car Park in Newcastleton Forest (follow signs from Newcastleton Vilage).

For more information about the Junior Rangers Club and to book places, call local forest ranger Richard Mostyn on 01750 721 120.

Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign aims to help improve the nation's health and well-being by encouraging more people to enjoy activities in Scotland’s national woods and forests.

For more information about the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods or telephone 0845 FORESTS (0845 367 3787).

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive’s forestry department and is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Scotland. Each year, around 20 million people visit its forests and woodlands – an amazing natural resource to explore.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6507

Richard Mostyn, Scottish Borders Forest District – 01750 721 120