The charity’s 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾ The National Trust has today launched a nationwide campaign to encourage sofa-bound children to take to the outdoors and enjoy classic adventures from skimming stones to building dens.
campaign provides a checklist for under-12s (and those who are young at heart) including everything from running around in the rain and bug hunting, to setting up a snail race, damming a stream, flying a kite and making a (delicious) mud pie.
To help bring to life these simple pleasures, the Trust has formed a group of Elite Rangers who will share their expert tips on enjoying outdoor adventures including the Midlands’ own Laura Broadhurst, the minibeast expert, also known as The Bug Catcher.
The five rangers, all Trust staff, come from across the UK and range in age from 29 to 49. As well as Laura, the rangers are a 6ft 3†tree climbing expert, who has scaled 50 metre-high trees, (a.k.a. Tree Man), Captain Skim who can skim a stone over 26 times, Midas the treasure hunter and Den-Boy, an outdoor hideaway-building champion.
Dubbed the The fantastic five they will be offering top tips on their chosen skill to the nation’s children over a Free Weekend (April 21 and 22) when the National Trust will open up over 200 of its special places for free. Properties including Shropshire’s Attingham Park, Benthall Hall, Dudmaston Estate (Sunday only); and Sunnycroft will be free for the public to explore.
Laura Broadhurst, a.k.a. The Bug Catcher, said:“My top tips for bug hunting are to look for places where bugs like to hide – under rocks, in the mud, in the bark of fallen trees. Remember you are a giant compared to these little beasts so be gentle – take a look before you touch. You might be having too much fun to want to go home but bugs like where they live so make sure you put them back.â€
The ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾’ initiative is in response to a report commissioned by the National Trust which reveals fewer than one in ten children regularly play in wild places; compared to almost half a generation ago, a third have never climbed a tree, one in ten can’t ride a bike, and three times as many are taken to hospital after falling out of bed, as from falling out of a tree.*
Kids can pick up a free 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾ scrapbook from participating places and start ticking off their outdoor adventures to do list. Plus, the fun can continue at home by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/50things where children can fill in their completed activities and earn points towards their very own explorer badge.
Tony Berry, Visitor Experience Director of the National Trust, comments:“Our Elite Rangers are a fantastic bunch, with bags of enthusiasm for the outdoors and what it can offer kids. We’re hoping that the nation’s children will embrace the 50 things and start having their very own outdoor adventures with their family, with our Free Weekend the perfect opportunity to get outside in the fresh air.â€
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/freeweekend for details and the downloadable voucher.
The National Trust Elite Rangers are:
1. Tree-Man, Des Cotton from York, Yorkshire, aged 38
2. Den Boy, Andrew Hunt from Dorset, aged 30
3. Captain Skim, Mark Astley from North West, aged 49
4. Midas, Nigel Stannett from Norwich, East of England, aged 29
5. The Bug Catcher, Laura Broadhurst from Bromsgrove, Midlands, aged 31
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