The Glade Forest School at Belfast YMCA is celebrating its first anniversary, having reached 682 children and families through 112 sessions of outdoor play, nature-based learning and community connection.

A year ago, a woodland clearing at Belfast YMCA became something special. The Glade Forest School opened its gates, lit its first campfire and invited the children of Belfast into a different way of learning.

Twelve months on, The Glade has delivered 112 sessions of outdoor learning, welcoming 1,580 participants from 682 unique children and families across programmes including summer camps, after-school sessions, family mental health support and community events.
Forest School is built on a simple but powerful idea: children learn best when they are trusted to explore, take supported risks and engage directly with the natural world. At The Glade, that means den-building, fire-lighting, seed-planting, mud kitchens and campfire cooking – real experiences that build real life skills.

Research shows outdoor learning can build confidence and resilience, support children’s mental health and emotional regulation, develop social skills through collaborative play, and enhance curiosity and cognitive growth.

Belfast’s rainfall proved no obstacle. The Glade operated throughout every season, with wellies a standard part of the experience. Over the year, children toasted an estimated 3,160 marshmallows over 112 campfires and accumulated approximately 4,740 sticks.

The Glade is a social enterprise operated by Belfast YMCA. Through partnerships with SureStart and the Belfast Learning Festival, the programme delivered 18 community sessions supporting families facing mental health challenges, children with additional needs and community groups who might not otherwise access outdoor learning.

This summer, with support from Belfast City Council and reinvested income, The Glade will run a supported access summer scheme for children from neighbourhoods where green space is limited or cost presents a barrier to participation.

Roz Kennedy, Forest School leader says

“It has been incredibly rewarding to watch children grow in confidence and develop a real excitement for the natural world. We’ve seen children overcome fears of bees and bugs – even developing a desire to care for them – and grow from being unsure how to play with others, to confidently leading imaginative group games. Almost every child develops a deeper curiosity about the environment and wildlife around them.”

Find out more about The Glade Forest School at www.belfastymca.org/the-glade