Big Wild Life

16/10/2025

It was so nice to spend time in the woods with staff and students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

This pilot project was for staff and faculty at QMU to spend some time to connect, learn from each other and to build a tool kit of ideas for outdoor activities....by doing them. The most fun way to learn!

We ran 5 sessions based on what participants wanted to learn and had a lot of fun doing the following activities:

Den building techniques - shelter building, teepee design and natural dens.

Exploring play - discussions on theory

Woodland craft - gods eyes, natural paint brushes and bookbinding

Stop motion animation - build your own stick tripods!

Kelly Kettles and Campfire Cooking - foraged tea and rosehip syrup with campfire bread.

Foraging - rosehip syrup, elderberry paint and elderberry tea. All growing on campus.

Tools and Knots - safe use of knives and secateurs. Learn useful knots.

Although numbers were not high, students that came were keen to take a lead and grow this initiative. There may even be a way Big Wild Life can help further their outdoor qualifications and provide supported opportunities for students to practice their teaching skills. It goes without saying that we are very keen to support this and was genuinely moved by their kind words about the project and enthusiasm for taking a lead role.

Many thanks to Queen Margaret University for funding the project and Patrick Boxall for continuing to support great things.

Watch this space!

19/09/2025

It is ALWAYS a pleasure to be part of this special festival. Thanks Vogrie Pogrie for including Big Wild Life for another year. We loved it so much ♥️♥️♥️

30/08/2025

Big Wild Life are very proud to be part of Vogrie Pogrie. The festival shares our values of inclusion, experimentation, creativity, community building and play.

We will be hosting the Woodland Sensory Area with a range of activities including...

🌸 Hapazome - printing with plants

⛺ Den building - a great way to play

🪵Wood cookies - make a woodland charm

🪲 Bug hunting and species identification

🖌️ Mud painting - and natural paintbrushes

🌳 Hammocks - a great way to relax in the woods.

And more.

We will also be joined by various acts during the day.

Stop by and say hi on Sat 13th and Sunday the 14th of September at Vogrie Country Park.

16/08/2025

Big Wild Life will be back at Vogrie Pogrie this year!

We will have our usual activities like den building, bug hunting, woodland craft and forest play. If you need some time out, join us to relax in a hammock and chill in the forest.

https://www.vogriepogrie.com/

15/08/2025

It was an absolute pleasure spending time with these amazing young people and working in partnership with Branching Upwards CIC to run some woodland sessions this Summer.

We hope to share many more adventures soon.

15/07/2025

A great opportunity for young people to learn some outdoor cooking skills!

01/07/2025

This is a wonderful festival to volunteer for and a great way to dip your toes into a career in events. For those that do, see you at crew camping neighbour!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Are you curious about how a festival comes to life? Do you like making things, meeting people, or simply being useful in a field full of friendly folk? We’re looking for volunteers to help us build, shape and hold this year’s Vogrie Pogrie – a playful, gentle gathering of creativity, community and imagination, set amongst the trees.

You might fancy painting signs, putting up tents, brewing tea, helping people find their way, supporting workshop leaders or welcoming visitors. Maybe you’re good at packing vans. Maybe you don’t know yet – and that’s ok too.

What we offer:�
– Your travel costs covered (whether it’s train, bus or lift-share petrol)�
– Tasty meals and bottomless tea and biscuits from our crew kitchen�
– Free camping for the weekend in a dedicated crew space�
– A place in a warm, generous team�
– Space to learn, try things, and share what you bring�
– And a crew party, of course

Open to ages 16+. No experience needed – just a willingness to muck in, be kind, and join the dance.

To learn more please visit: https://forms.gle/FgMbMDcbYZ8Bg3Tr5

27/06/2025

So excited to be running some Summer sessions in Peebles with Branching Upwards CIC! There's only a couple of spaces left so be sure to book soon. See you in the woods!

A few spaces remaining!! 🌿🌳

Join Donna and I on 4th, 5th, 11th or 12th Aug Aug for 2.5hrs of forest fun including bushcraft activities, campfires, team games, den building, woodland art and much more!

Book today via:
www.bookwhen.com/branchingupwards

£25pp per session (10% sibling discount)

Payment will be via BACS transfer and confirmation of places will be on receipt of payment.

If no spaces remain for your desired date drop us a message and we can add your child to the waiting list ♥️🌳

06/06/2025

It was an absolute pleasure supporting Seeds of Disruption at the QMUCommunity Day. A great event to welcome everyone and have fun outdoors. The outdoor learning hub extends all around the building, used to deliver outdoor hands on learning. This Uni is doing some really progressive work and has recently won several awards. It's been a pleasure to be involved in the education programme that has a huge emphasis on sustainability and nature based pedagogy. Massive thanks to Patrick Boxhall for continuing to find ways to meaningfully collaborate with almost everyone he meets.

15/05/2025

Really looking forward to this new partnership with Branching Upwards CIC where we will be running sessions in Peebles this Summer! Places are filling fast so please don't delay in securing your spot. See you in the woods 🌳🐦‍⬛🐛🦋

WE’RE BACK! 😀🌿🌳
As many of our lovely followers know, I (Michelle Fraser) took a step back from Branching Upwards this last 18 months to explore and learn new skills to help me continue to best support the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people in Tweeddale. I’ve learned a huge amount, but have very much missed my time in the woods with your wonderful young people.

I’m excited to have the opportunity to work alongside a wonderful fellow Forest School Leader, Donna Strachan of Big Wild Life, to offer our Woodland Play sessions this summer.

Join Donna and I on 4th and 5th Aug for 2.5hrs of forest fun including bushcraft activities, campfires, team games, den building, woodland art and much more!

Book today via:
www.bookwhen.com/branchingupwards

£25pp per session (10% sibling discount)

Payment will be via BACS transfer and confirmation of places will be on receipt of payment.