Children and young people are inherently curious about the world around them, and for many that includes nature. That interest is fanned by experience, the more direct and frequent the better. As children become progressively more urban and biodiversity becomes more restricted to protected areas, children’s opportunities to experience, understand and care for nature become ever more limited. Children today are only allowed to roam 50m from their home, compared with 800m 20 years ago, so will have fewer opportunities for independent discovery of the excitement of the natural world than their parents would have. We aspire to a situation where all children will care for wildlife, but are keen to make sure that the RSPB’s flavour of nature conservation has special prominence.
RSPB Wildlife Explorer Groups provide real hands on experiences of nature and wildlife for children aged 5-12. From building bird and minibeast homes to learning about migration, camouflage or taking part in their local carnival meetings are diverse and never boring!
Carymoor RSPB Wildlife Explorers group winning 2nd in class for the 'Honey bees of Carymoor' at their local childrens carnival
For teenagers, Phoenix Groups enhance their programmes by including practical conservation tasks such as coppicing, tree and scrub removal and habitat conservation.
Saltholme RSPB Phoenix group scrub bashing to improve the wet grassland for lapwings and other ground nesting species
The youth group network is run by volunteer leaders who are passionate about inspiring the next generation to care and look after the world around them. Over the last 100 years the RSPB has an exemplary record of working with children and young people – but has it made a difference? Evidence shows there is a high proportion of former junior members in a wide range of environmental organisations as staff or volunteers. RSPB nature reserves such as Fowlmere were bought with money raised by children.
To get involved as a volunteer with our youth groups, please take a look at the vacancies with have by clicking here.
So what do children get out of a Wildlife Explorer or Phoenix Group? The benefits are clear –, fun, inspiration, appreciation, encouragement, skill and potentially a career!
If you would like to find out about groups and other activities in your area, then please visit our web pages that are dedicated for children http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/nearyou/index.aspx
No matter what you think you are, you are always and in all ways so much more!