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The Elderbank Explorers learned all about maps and compass directions with the Family Learning Worker Magnetic compasses were made using magnets, paperclips, bottle tops and a water-filled container. After checking that their compass pointed North, we headed outside to use the real compasses. We played physical games using compass co-ordinates and followed co-ordinates to find some hidden treasure. The young people will extend these activities at home with their own family by using a Compass APP and by making maps of their local area and their Wild Space.

We are constantly learning and today was no different. The previous day had seen weather warnings and the idea of strong winds was being blown about! However luck was on our side as the rain left us and the winds died back to unleash a beautful sunshine filled day! Working with Countryside Ranger Gavin we demonstrated our new found knowledge and experience as 'we showed' Gavin the best way to the river bank where we would gather our materials for the days project. We learned about Safety and the Tools that we would need for the day. Working again with our Support we worked in small teams cutting and dividing the Willow before gathering it and making our way to the Wild Life Garden. Once there we began to plant and fashion a new stretch of Willow as suggested by the Countryside Ranger Team! Learning new skills all the time seems to have become a weekly occurance as we decided that between every two 'branches of willow' was a doorway to a new world!!

Today we went Exploring! We left the Wild Life Garden behind and set off down the river bank in search of wild life - wild birds in particular. The passion of the Rangers (Lynsey and Fiona) was infectious as they helped us spot a variety of different birds. A Robin was one of the first to burst onto the scene, easy to spot with his beautful red breast while Blue Tits were soon buzzing around us in a feeding frenzy at a well placed feeding station! New names appeared to us with the help of our Countryside Ranger Friends as a Dunnock made a play for some seed and later a Coal Tit would make an appearance! Our walk back would see us spotting a Long Tailed Tit and other familiar faces such as Crows as they circled high above. All the while we talked and socialised with the people within the park as they meandered past on their own investigations in nature and the outdoors!

We seem to be learning so much more than we first expected. Countryside Rangers Fiona and Lynsey literally get down on their knees (check out the pictures) to help, teach and encourage us! We are learning about planning and the tools that we will need for the different activities that we are involved in. The Rangers teach us about the value of teamwork and how we are all responsible for the nature that lives all around us. We worked again the Wild Life Garden at Pollok and are eally getting in to 'the swing of things' as we become comfortable with our surroundings!! Confidence is a big thing as a growing independence can be seen within many of us!! It would that every walk with nature we recieve far more than we sought!!

With our Adventure into Nature now well under way our day was filled with Maintenance of Our Young Plants in the Flower Power Poly Tunnel and the transplantation of young plants into the Wild Life Garden at Pollok. It was great to really get into the projects set before us by Ranger Greig and her team and a fantastic learning experience being outdoors. We worked on the wwodland floor taking care not to damage the life that lay all around us and again worked with our Support Staff (and sometimes Colin) to create beds for the new wild flowers. We learned about space and depth as well as how to secure the young plants to keep them safe from frost and dropping temperatures!!!! We are realising that the World is Big and we want to have a good look before it gets dark!!!!!!

We met Head Ranger Allison Greig at the AMAZING Pollok Park and began our rollercoaster adventure into Nature! Today would see us working as a team within the Polytunnel at Pollok with Rangers Lynsey and Fiona. We learned all about compost and the different conditions plants need to grow. We learned about the differences between Loam and Compost and worked to create the correct mix for the seeds we were planting. We talked with the Rangers about the conditions our young plants would need to survive and grow and learned that watering as well as sunshine and light are vital to the success of our young plants. We cannot wait to see what the Spring and Summer bring!!!!!

Today would see us braving the Windy Weather of Cathkin Braes as we worked with Countryside Ranger Gavin creating a woodland for the future! We were delighted to be asked to join this initiative (The Lost Woods) and made the journey across the city to a very high point where we could see for miles. The climb up the hill was tough but worth it as the wind and cold spiralled around us. Working as a team with our excellent Support Staff we planted over 40 Native Cherry and Birch Tree's into this Woodland area. We talked as we worked and as the time flew by we wondered what our efforts would look like in 10,20,30 years! Great to be part of this new green future that will no doubt be enjoyed by many people throughout the coming years!!!

GKC Wild Learners today embarked on a mini adventure with Countryside Ranger Gavin as we investigated the amazing world of mini beasts. Working within the greenspace within the college learners worked hard to find a variety of mini beasts. We looked closely at snails, worms and beetles and some small and large spiders using a range of very cool pieces of equipment kindly supplied by our countryside ranger friends. The adventure begins......