Born Wild Community

08/10/2026

Bookings for Term 4 are open. Some spaces still available.

Program starts Monday 12th October

Bookings

https://collections.humanitix.com/born-wild-community-currentprograms

www.bornwildcommunity.org.au

08/10/2026

05/10/2026

At the heart of Born Wild are three ideas.

CARE FOR COUNTRY
We learn to notice the place we’re in.
We explore, wonder, learn about Country and consider how our actions affect the living world around us.
We engage with the knowledge of traditional custodians where we can, whose 1000s of years of noticing, improves our understanding.

CARE FOR OTHERS
We learn that everyone brings different needs, ideas, interests and ways of being.
We learn to make space for difference and find ways to belong together.

CARE FOR SELF
We learn to notice our own needs, boundaries, feelings and capabilities.
We learn when to stretch ourselves and when to say no.

And we don’t expect children to arrive already knowing how to do these things. That’s what growing older is for.

Term 4 will begin with a special opportunity for cultural connection with Aunty Corrina, creating space to listen, learn and deepen our understanding of Country.

Cultural understanding of Country is something we want to explore and celebrate throughout our work.

Term 4 | 12 October – 16 December

BushKinder OutdoorLearning

03/10/2026

Born Wild might be for your child if…
They need room to move.
They thrive when there is less pressure.
They can spend ages absorbed in something that interests them.
They stop to look at every bug.
They love building things from sticks.
They ask approximately 400 questions a day.
They love wandering.
They enjoy being around other children but don’t always want to do exactly what everyone else is doing.
They don’t mind coming home a little (or very) muddy.

But everyone doesn’t need to tick every box.
They don’t need to be “good at nature,” confident love every activity.

They can arrive exactly as they are. That’s the point.

Our communities are where children of different ages, interests, abilities and approaches can find their place.

If you’re wondering whether Born Wild might suit your family, send us a message. We’d be happy to talk it through.

Term 4 bookings are open.

ChildLedPlay NatureConnection

01/10/2026

A beautiful outdoor environment is wonderful. But children don’t experience a place in isolation. They experience it through the people around them.

Our sessions are led by an experienced teacher and ecologist, and supported by our nature playworkers and volunteers.

We notice. We listen. We wonder alongside children.

We support them to take appropriate risks, navigate relationships, solve problems, try again and discover what they are capable of.

We don’t expect children to arrive already knowing how to care for Country, care for others or care for themselves. We’re here to learn those things together.

Our community includes different ages, different interests, different personalities and different ways of learning and being.

There isn’t one “right” way to participate.

There is room to be curious. To contribute. To step back. To mess up and try again.

Term 4 bookings are now open. Link in bio.

We’d love to welcome your family.

NatureAcademy Belonging

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

26/09/2026

There are lots of misconceptions about Bogong Moths. Download Bogong Moth tracker and help with assisting this species and the species that rely on them. While you’re at it, turn your outdoor lights out at nighttime. These can confuse lots of animals’ migration and movement. Plus, energy savings are always good for everyone too!

Right now, a brand-new generation of Bogong Moths are beginning the long journey towards Australia’s alpine regions; one of the most epic animal migrations on our planet. Meanwhile, Mountain Pygmy-possums will also be waking up from their hibernation hungry for the moths; a key springtime food source.

This spring, Zoos Victoria ’s Moth Tracker at https://mothtracker.swifft.net.au/ citizen science initiative is encouraging Australians to log their Bogong Moth sightings on the Moth Tracker website to help both these Endangered moths and the Critically Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum. Through Moth Tracker, we gather important data on the dates, locations and numbers of Bogong Moths travelling during the annual migration periods.

North East CMA supports Moth Tracker as part of its projects to improve survival rates of both Mountain Pygmy-possums and the Bogong Moth.

Last year, 58% of sightings submitted on Moth Tracker were confirmed to be Bogong Moths. Our audience is getting better at identifying these marvelous little moths, though there continues to be a misconception that they are larger than they are!

Picture: A Bogong Moth is similar in size to a bottle cap. Image: Nizar, via Moth Tracker
Australian Government Parks Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Hotham Alpine Resort Falls Creek Resort

23/09/2026

Born Wild isn’t an outdoor area filled with nature-themed toys, or a collection of activities designed to keep children busy and engaged.

And we don’t believe children should be constantly entertained. We offer something a little different.

Real recognition of Country. With input from our traditional custodians wherever we can.

Loose parts and natural materials
Campfires
Bushwalks
Making and creating
Things worth stopping to investigate
Long, uninterrupted stretches of play
Relationships and belonging

There are days when we have quests. Days when we make things. Days when we investigate. Days when we simply slow down and notice what is happening around us.

We don’t aim to recreate an indoor play setting outdoors - even a nature inspired one.

We want children to experience being outdoors. Nature isn’t just the setting for our programs. Nature is the teacher - sometimes in a kind and comforting way. But also in wind, rain, heat, insects, discomfort and all.

If that sounds like the kind of childhood you want and need, we’d love you to join us for Term 4.

12 October – 16 December | 10 weeks

Bookings are open now.

ForestSchool

20/09/2026

School Holiday activities for our sea lovers!

🥾🛶 Walk, paddle and discover during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival

What better way to celebrate our local environment than getting out and experiencing it? There are some fantastic opportunities during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival, including:

🌿 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am – Explore Barwon Bluff
🛶 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm and 12.30–2.30 pm – Canoe the Mangroves
🌱 Tuesday 22 September, 10.00 am – Walk on Country @ Barwon Bluff with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners
🌸 Wednesday 23 September, 10.00 am – Orchids in the Park
🌊 Wednesday 23 September, 7.00–9.00 pm – Land, Sea, Sky slide night
🔬 Thursday 24 September, 1.00–3.00 pm – Tide & Seek: a family ‘marine science’ day

These are just some of the events Friends of the Bluff have planned for a nature-filled week in Barwon Heads.