Giving Every Child Time in Nature
Last week’s Sky News piece hit hard. It said out loud what many of us see every week: millions of children miss out on simple outdoor joys, such as puddle-jumping or climbing a tree. For families under pressure, nature can feel out of reach. Yet it’s precisely what many young people need right now. (Sky News)
I’ve been in scouting since I was young. I have been a volunteer leader for over 30 years. , I’ve watched shy eight-year-olds grow into confident teenagers, not because of fancy tech or shiny classrooms, but because of mud, rain, fresh air, and small wins that stack into considerable confidence.
The double challenge facing families
The numbers are stark. Around 4.5 million children in the UK live in poverty. That’s roughly nine in every classroom. At the same time, one in five children in England is struggling with their mental health. When budgets are tight, waterproofs and wellies don’t top the list. Outdoor time slips. So do the benefits.
Sky News reported on a simple, practical fix: the Waterproofs and Wellies campaign. Schools receive coats, trousers, and boots so children can learn outdoors in any weather. It removes the most significant barrier—kit—and unlocks the joy of getting outside.
Why nature helps
Time in nature isn’t a luxury. It’s a reset button. Parents in the Sky News piece said their children sleep better, feel calmer, and are less “wired” after outdoor learning. National surveys quoted there echo this: most parents see improved mood and behaviour when kids spend time outside.
Outdoors, young people:
- Move their bodies.
- Manage risk safely.
- Solve problems with their hands.
- Lead and teach peers.
- Fail, try again, and feel proud.
These are life skills that support classroom learning and mental health.
What Scouting adds
Mark from Big Man in the Woods puts it this way: every child deserves muddy boots. His reflection as a long-serving leader matches what many of us witness—nature complements the classroom, builds resilience, and gives children space to breathe. He also names the awkward truth: without the right kit, outdoor time can feel miserable, so access matters. (Big Man In The Woods)
Scouting brings four powerful ingredients:
- Structure with freedom. A plan for the night, with room to explore.
- Progression. From lighting a fire at eight to planning expeditions as teens.
- Peer learning. Older Scouts teaching younger ones raises everyone.
- Consistency. It’s weekly, not once a year. Confidence grows through repetition.
We also normalise “any-weather” childhood. There’s no bad weather—only the wrong clothing. Our job is to remove barriers so that every child can participate.
Tackling the kit barrier
Cost stops kids from getting outside. That’s why kit libraries work. Collect clean, good-quality waterproofs and boots. Label sizes clearly. Keep a simple sign-out sheet. Pair this with a standing request to parents: “If your child grows out of it, we’ll find it a new home.”
If you’re a school, club, PTA, or local business, partner with groups already making a difference—campaigns like Waterproofs and Wellies and your local Scout Group. One small grant or a mini-appeal can outfit an entire rail with coats and boots.
Practical ideas you can use this term
- Make the outdoors the default. Plan an outside segment every week. Five minutes still counts.
- Start small—puddle-jumping, mini-beast hunts, leaf ID, knot relays, micro-campfire demos.
- Rotate roles. Fire marshal, kit checker, map leader—titles build ownership.
- Celebrate progress. “Today you lit a fire safely.” “Today you taught a friend that knot.”
- Invite families in. A 30-minute “show what we learnt outside” session does wonders.
- Share updates. Post photos (with permission) of muddy boots and big smiles to normalise nature time.
A personal note
I joined Scouting as a shy eight-year-old. I found friends for life. I learnt fundamental skills. I grew more confident because adults trusted me with real responsibilities—such as handling knives, matches, maps, and working in teams. That trust, outdoors, changed everything. And I see the same transformation in young people today.
How you can help today
- Parents & carers: send your child in layers and ask if your school or group has a kit library.
- Teachers & leaders: ring-fence 10–15 minutes outside each session. It adds up fast.
- Local businesses: sponsor a set of waterproofs. Put your logo on the rail and make a lasting difference.
- Community groups: host a “Bring-a-Spare” month for outgrown boots and coats.
Fancy helping more young people find their muddy-boots confidence? Volunteer with 224 North London Scouts. Whether you’ve got 90 minutes a week or 90 minutes a month, we’ll fit the role to your time: lend a hand at Beavers, Cubs or Scouts, run a one-off activity, keep our kit shipshape as Quartermaster, pick up meeting supplies, offer admin/comms skills, or join our trustee team. Training and DBS provided. No experience needed—just enthusiasm. Say hello and we’ll match you to something that works for you.
