Inspiring the next generation at Youth Explorers
Don’t miss our 5-week course designed for nature enthusiasts aged 11-14 years old.
Does your child love the great outdoors? Why not treat them to a place at after-school club which focuses on nature and wildlife!
During term times we run a 5-week evening nature course where 11-14-year-olds can learn more about wildlife on their doorstep, meet new friends, and get their hands dirty in some conservation tasks at our nature parks. Youth Explorers aims to deliver a wide variety of activities and learning opportunities for young people in Milton Keynes with a range of topics that include habitat care, species identification, wildlife monitoring and plant ID among others.
The course is currently taught at the incredible setting of Howe Park Wood. This beautiful woodland is over 1,000 years old and listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - a rare honour in Milton Keynes. Our spring group took part in a variety of activities such as creating dead hedges to protect our ponds, planting kidney vetch to attract breeding small blue butterflies, meeting resident moth species, and even getting crafty with print making and shelter building.
The main aim with Youth Explorers is to get children out in wildlife, enjoying some time away from electronic devices, meeting people who share common interests and helping them to achieve something they can be proud of. In a world increasingly ruled by devices, and where teenagers and young people are becoming more disconnected from nature, it's our duty to continue to provide this opportunity for them to stay in touch with the great outdoors. We hope that Youth Explorers will provide a safe and happy environment for these children to improve not only their knowledge and skillset, but their mental and physical wellbeing too.
We're looking forward to meeting the next group of participants in September, who can expect an exciting programme which includes more vital conservation tasks, bushcraft, learning about grasslands and other habitats, and discovering more about bats, moths and pond creatures in Howe Park Wood.
Youth Explorers costs just £25 for the five-week course and covers all materials including a certificate upon completion. Our next course will take place on Tuesdays, 5-7pm from 8th September to 6th October 2026. Spaces are now available to book.
Please be aware that we only have 12 spaces per course, so if you are interested, we recommend signing up sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
