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North York Moors Trust
North York Moors Trust
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Stepping Stones to Nature - Weekend Programme

Stepping Stones to Nature supports children to grow up well through a connection with nature and their local National Park.

The Stepping Stones to Nature Weekend Programme provides regular, targeted opportunities for children to continue their journey with nature beyond the school day. Through weekly sessions in the North York Moors National Park, children can explore, create, play and learn in nature while building confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.

The Weekend Programme is a Stepping Stones to Nature x Youth Haven collaboration with The Wildhaven Project CIC.

More Connected

For the children attending, the Weekend Programme builds on the foundations developed through the Stepping Stones to Nature Schools Programme, offering sustained opportunities to connect with nature beyond school and within quality nature rich environments. By reducing barriers to participation, the programme ensures that children can continue to access and enjoy the National Park regardless of their background or circumstances.

Every session is provided free of charge and includes transport, activity resources, a fire-cooked lunch, and outdoor clothing and footwear where needed.

The weekend sessions develop further on progressional and phase approach taken throughout Stepping Stones. The weekends also build on The Wildhaven Project’s own themes for the Youth Haven model:

  • Knowledge – helping children learn about nature, wildlife and the environment.

  • Skills – developing practical outdoor and traditional woodland skills, alongside teamwork, communication, problem-solving and leadership.

  • Connection – creating meaningful relationships with nature and each other through shared experiences.

  • Stewardship – empowering children to care for and improve the places they use, fostering a lasting appreciation of nature and a desire to protect it.

Through regular, hands-on experiences, children are supported to become more confident, capable and connected, developing the skills and sense of belonging needed to access and enjoy nature independently.

Impact

Since September 2025, the Weekend Programme has:

  • Engaged 21 children through regular weekly sessions in the North York Moors National Park.

  • Provided free transport, food, equipment and outdoor clothing, helping remove barriers to participation.

  • Delivered a range of additional seasonal and immersive activities, including a Dark Skies events at Danby Observatory.

  • Created an ongoing pathway for children to continue engaging with nature beyond the school day.

Early Outcomes

Although still in its early stages, the programme is already helping children to:

  • Spend more time outdoors and engage more confidently with nature.

  • Build confidence, resilience and independence.

  • Develop new friendships and strengthen social connections.

  • Feel a greater sense of belonging in the National Park and nature.

By providing regular, meaningful opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors, the Weekend Programme helps children build a lifelong connection with nature while developing the confidence and skills to thrive.

We will be providing more information regarding the weekend sessions, including evaluation, soon.

Read More About the Schools Programme Here

Programme Funders

Programme Partner

Address

The Old Vicarage, Bondgate
Helmsley, YO62 5BP

North York Moors Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1170387
Registered Company Number: 09861371

Contact

enquiries@northyorkmoorstrust.uk
01439 772700

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North York Moors Trust is the working name of the North York Moors National Park Trust