Organ Pipes National Park, located off the Calder Fwy in Melbourne’s western suburb of Keilor North. The Organ Pipes, a set of basalt columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava, are the most well-known feature of the park. The area offers a wonderful and diverse location for our bush program with wildlife to spot, a river to explore and environmental centre. There is a steep paved hill that you need to walk down to access the park which is pram friendly. We take the walks slowly for young children and stop along the way but you do need to be relatively fit to walk the tracks.

The sessions run fortnightly and are facilitated by Adam. Adam spent his entire childhood living and camping in the bush; climbing mountains, exploring rivers, learning to fish, track, make fires and to simplify… just ‘being’ at one in nature. He has a background in Outdoor Education and enjoys camping, bushcraft, rock climbing, and practicing mindfulness in nature which he will bring to the sessions.

Our Bush School program is for homeschooled children aged 4 -12 years and is specifically aimed at developing and learning new skills through bush crafts, Indigenous/Australian stories, tracking, plant and animal identification, tool use, rope knots and construction and more challenging bush walks that inspires a develop love and deep connection to nature and encourages the use of gross motor skills through climbing, balancing and building. We investigate a different topic/theme each fortnight and work closely with the rangers and local groups to help with conservation projects.

Our program has been developed to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through climbing, balancing, walking and fine motor skills during our craft activities.

Bush School allows parents to disconnect from their busy lives (and technology) and re-connect with their child in nature. This time is as much for you as it is for your child. Our groups bring together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming. The sessions are relaxed and child led and parents are encouraged to follow their child’s lead.

Bush School is an all weather outdoor program so you need to make sure you bring appropriate weather protection and clothing. Children must have closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and a change of clothes. Our program will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong wind.

Ages: 4 – 12 years (kinder & homeschool welcome)

Dates: 18th Oct, 1st Nov, 15th Nov, 29th Nov, 13th Dec.

*Parents are required to attend and are responsible for their children at all times.