ECO Explorers will revive outdoor bush program in mid July

The popular Eco Explorers program returned to Ballarat late last week, inviting families with children up to four years of age to learn practical lessons about the natural world.

 

The sessions will take place at Gong Gong Reservoir Park, with Eco Explorers founder and director Melinda Bito excited to bring the program to Ballarat after six years in Melbourne. 

 

“Ballarat’s has a lot of natural land around it so it’s ideal that we’re moving into this space and getting the local kids in touch with nature,” she said.

 

“It’s all about sensory play, smelling the leaves and playing in puddles with a sort of mindfulness aspect to it. There’ll be different themes each week based around the change in the environment.”

 

The 10-week program will take place each Wednesday with Bush Babies sessions for children aged one to two years taking place from 9.30am to 11am.

 

The Tawny Toddlers sessions for children aged three to four years will follow from 11.30 to 1pm, and each week will be facilitated by bush playgroup facilitator and early childcare educator, Janet Lovejoy.

 

Each session allows up to 12 families, and Ms Bito said the program is also teaching its younger participants how to care for the environment.

 

“I think that’s an important part as they go into school, they take that love of the environment with them,” she said.

 

“That was definitely a conscious part of the program, having the children continue that conservationist mindset and really caring for the world around them.”

 

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