Wand whittling, pot planting and bug hunting
The Royal Junior School welcomed hundreds of families at its annual Grow For It, a free gardening and wildlife event with garden designer, Kate Savill on 18 May.
This was a wonderful opportunity for The Royal School to share its beautiful grounds and exceptional outdoor learning facilities with children under 11 taking part in activities from pond dipping to mini beast hunting, painting a rock bug to whittling a wand, making a bug hotel and planting a pot to take home.
The free event is about connecting children with nature, increasing their understanding of the world around them and having fun outdoors! Kate explains, “Gardening goes hand in hand with nature conservation. It is so important for us all to think about our impact on the environment and children are never too young to learn.”
Grow For It encourages children to get outside and get their hands dirty! The aim of the event is to help children develop an understanding of and respect for our living world and to foster a desire to protect our environment. Getting children outdoors allows them the opportunity to observe what is around them and understand their place in the world.
Asked why gardening is so important, Kate responded, “I believe gardening is therapeutic. Being outdoors allows children (and adults!) to be creative, to enjoy some quiet time and to develop their own sanctuary.”
Kate runs her own garden design practice in Bristol and is currently working on a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show. She also writes for horticultural publications and is especially keen to encourage young people to garden.