The Glade Forest School

Little explorers welcome 🌿

Our Acorns sessions are perfect for pre-school children and their grown-ups.

Discover nature together through sensory play, storytelling and gentle outdoor adventures.

Upcoming sessions will be themed around:
> The Hungry Caterpillar
> Superworm
> We're Going on a Bear Hunt

A beautiful way to bond and grow together 🌳

Book your sessions here 🙂 https://www.belfastymca.org/the-glade

This summer… let them explore 🌞🌲

We love hearing what families think, and last year’s feedback truly stayed with us. Parents shared that their children “loved the Glade sessions and didn’t want to go back to school at the end of the week!” coming home more confident, present, connected, light-hearted, and full of adventure.

Of course, fun is at the heart of everything we do, but it means just as much to hear that children are sharing what they’ve learned about the outdoors, building a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Our Forest School Summer Camp is full of hands-on outdoor experiences, from den building to campfire cooking. No screens, just fresh air, friendships, and memories that last.

Book now as spaces are going very fast 🌳

See link in bio

Mud kitchens, tiny adventures, and plenty of big smiles 💚

Acorns is our laid-back forest session for parents and under 4s, designed to gently build confidence outdoors. Everything is child-led and completely optional.

Some days are all about wandering, discovering, and taking it all in, and that’s absolutely perfect.

Each week brings a mix of storytelling, nature exploration, sensory play, hammock time, and opportunities to develop observational skills. We often gather around the campfire for a bit of simple cooking too!

A lovely space for curious minds and busy little feet to explore at their own pace.

Click the link to get booked in https://activities.bookpebble.co.uk/activity/belfast-ymca-acorns-at-the-glade-belfast-c31aa2ae-26d5-474e-8347-927bc0b35b8d?_gl=1*e1edoh*_gcl_au*MTIyNTE1NDI1NS4xNzY5NDM1NDIzLjE4MjQzMzI1MDcuMTc2OTQzNTU3Mi4xNzY5NDM2MTgw*_ga*MTE3NzY5NjI3LjE3NjE2NTY3NjU.*_ga_Q91F0PQ6V3*czE3NzAxOTY2OTUkbzk3JGcxJHQxNzcwMTk2NzkyJGoyNiRsMCRoMA..

After-Schools bookings for Thursdays are LIVE!

Don't take our word for how good these session are.... this is what a Glade parent had to say:

"They both loved everything about it! From my perspective, they played like I did as a child-making a mud bakery, using leaves as money, making perfume, mainly just being outdoors. Whatever you did with them, it was magic!"

Book in for our Thursday After-Schools to give your child the weekly in-nature exposure that we know makes them calmer and happier. 🌳 😀

Click the link to get booked in: https://www.belfastymca.org/the-glade

As we are coming to the end of our Easter Scavenger Camp at The Glade, we can look back at a busy fun filled adventurous two weeks! 🌳

The Gladers have been so creative in their outdoor exploration & have loved getting muddy, searching for bugs, roasting on the campfire & making dens. 🔥

Our Summer Camp bookings will be open soon or check out our after schools sessions on Thursdays. 😃

If your child is not used to bring outdoors much, please don't let that be a barrier to letting your child join our Forest School camp this Easter!

Sometimes it's the children who are least familiar with the outdoors, thrive the most 😃

And you don't have to take it from us, one parent who's child attended our latest camp said

"Our children were made very welcome by the staff & other children & thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a woodland environment which they are not used to. As a result they have shown more independence and eagerness in building dens both in & outside the house 🏠 "

We are also lucky to have a large indoor space available & tons of nature themed games should we face any unsafe weather 🌦

Book now for Easter camp, spaces are limited. See link in bio

What is Forest School?

Maybe you have heard the term 'Forest School ' and you're not sure what it means?

Born in Scandinavia (where we know there is a holistic approach to children's development), Forest School is an approach to learning that takes place outdoors, where nature becomes the classroom.

Children learn through hands on experiences like exploring, building, observing wildlife & working together in a natural environment.

We see learners at The Glade Forest School build their confidence, resilience, curiosity & social skills at their own pace.

Everything we do tries to develop problem solving, creativity & a deep connection to the natural world 🌎

In Forest School, muddy boots are a good thing 😃

It may have been a wet week 🌧 but the kids at our February half-term term camp have been enjoying being outdoors & taking part in the activities in the mud 😀

There's no stopping children when they have the opportunity to enjoy creative play outdoors no matter what the weather 🌧☀️

Check out the link in our bio for more upcoming Glade Sessions 🌟

If you need to book single days at Forest School for your child over February half-term, we have limited spaces remaining.

If your child is not used to being outdoors, please don't let that be a barrier to letting your child join our Forest School sessions this February half-term.

Sometimes it's the children who are the least familiar with the outdoors, thrive the most!

And you don't have to take it from us... One parent whose child attended a previous camp said:

""Our children were made very welcome by the staff and other children and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a woodland environment which they are not used to. As a result, they have shown more independence and eagerness in building dens both in and out of the house.""

We are also very lucky to have a large indoor space available and tons of nature themed games up our sleeve should we be faced with unsafe weather to go out in - so we won't cancel sessions last minute.

Book now to join in the fun - https://www.belfastymca.org/the-glade

🌲 February Half-Term Forest School Camp - Last Places Available! 🌲

Worried about wet or windy weather? Don’t be!
Our February Forest School camp runs rain, wind or shine.

Did you know we have a warm indoor space available for shelter, creativity, and warming up when needed🔥 so even if we have weather warnings, we won't ruin your plans.

Whatever the weather, children will still enjoy:

🌿 Hands-on learning about nature

🪵 Natural crafts & games

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Tons of movement and screen-free fun!

Perfect for ages 5–12, this half-term is all about outdoor fun, confidence, and connection with nature – whatever the weather brings.

⏰ Book now to avoid missing out!
👉 The Glade — Belfast YMCA