FAMILIES were out in force for the first in a popular series of weekly school holiday activities in the upper dale that combine fun with learning something about the environment as well.
Wild Wednesdays have become a firm favourite at Bowlees Visitor Centre.
Alison Mitchell, said: “I have brought my two granddaughters Phoebe and Ruby along and they are loving every minute. We Googled activities for the kids and this came up, it’s really different.”
The half-day sessions are organised jointly by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and Natural England and feature nature trails, crafts and games.
Last week, children learned all about the dazzling dragonflies that live in upper Teesdale.
Weather conditions were perfect; the previous night’s rain had brought out the midges, which dragonflies feed on, while the warm sunshine had attracted the dragonflies.
Jill Essam, of the AONB’s Cold Blooded and Spineless project, said: “The Dazzling Dragonflies saw young people going on a self-guided trail looking for dragonflies, take part in a number of craft activities and play team games to learn about energy efficiency in the wild.”
There is lots more fun and education planned for the rest of the summer holidays with campfires, earthworks, dens and habitats, a picture of nature and river dipping being examined over the next few weeks. For details go to: www.northpennines .org.uk/bowlees-visitor-centre
