Welcome to Woodlandwise Forest School CIC


Woodlandwise Forest School is a Community Interest Company rooted in the belief that nature-based education has the power to transform lives. In a world filled with distractions and disconnection, we offer opportunities to pause, reconnect and grow.

Our programmes are open to all ages, stages and walks of life—because we believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the wonder of the wild. Through hands-on learning, exploration, play and discovery, we nurture deep connections with nature and support holistic development in every individual.

Come and join us on a journey of curiosity, connection and growth in the great outdoors.

Meet the team!

Meet the Team!

We’re Helen Hazlett and Lynne Murdoch—friends, collaborators, and co-founders of Woodlandwise Forest School CIC. We've worked closely together for many years, delivering a successful Forest School programme within a local authority primary school where Helen was a full-time primary teacher and Lynne supported children and families through her work in Family Liaison and Additional Support Needs.

Helen is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader, Think Like a Tree facilitator and Level 3 Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner. Both Helen and Lynne are also qualified Branching Out Leaders and hold certifications in Outdoor First Aid, First Aid at Work, Outdoor Cooking and Food Hygiene and Mental Health First Aid. We bring a shared wealth of experience in education, family support and nature-based wellbeing practices.

We are both deeply passionate about the benefits of getting children—and adults—outdoors. Time in nature not only supports physical and emotional wellbeing, but also builds confidence, resilience and a wide range of transferable life skills that support development through all life stages.

As adults, we often give so much to others that we neglect our own wellbeing. We believe that nature holds everything needed to restore and replenish us—but it’s not just about being outside. The experience is shaped by what you do, where you do it and who you share it with. That’s why, in every session, we carefully create and hold space for connection, reflection and meaningful experiences that can be as restorative as they are enjoyable.

Services we currently deliver

Woodland Wellbeing

Forest School

 

Early Years and Schools

Think Like a Tree

 

The Therapeutic Wilderness

Pop up Woodland Nature Play Sessions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is forest school?

Forest school is an educational approach that focuses on outdoor learning and connecting with nature. It often takes place in woodland areas. 

What age groups do you cater to?

Our Forest School Programmes cater for children of all ages. Family Sessions are for all. Any drop off sessions, such as our holiday camps are for children who are 5 plus. 

Some of our other sessions, such as woodland Wellbeing, or Think Like a Tree are for 18 plus.

We aim to provide something for everyone and to be as inclusive as possible. Details of age are always found on the booking page. 

What should my child wear to forest school?

We recommend dressing children in weather-appropriate clothing, including sturdy footwear, waterproofs and layers. It's also a good idea to bring a change of clothes in case they get muddy or wet. You may even require suncream and sunhats on the odd occasion!!!

Are there toilet facilities?

We are often in woodland sites with no public conveniences close at hand. Therefore, we recommend a toilet visit for all before attending. 'Wild pees' are available; we also have a porta-potty tent,  a handwashing and sanitation station. If toileting will be an issue for any reason, please contact us to discuss how we can best support your needs.

Testimonials

Caroline 

Amazing, as always...totally accessible and adaptable to needs of individuals. Wish all children could have a full time education via forest school...so much learning goes on...life skills, social/emotional/communication, physical, respect, everything soooo much more than traditional school. Absolutely priceless...

Reviewing: Woodlandwise Holiday Camps

 

June

Well-being sessions have been amazing, it’s so relaxing being in the woods learning lots of new skills cooking over a fire very well run & organised by Lynne and Helen. They really make you feel so welcome. I love the Hammock and feel so refreshed after the session, I would definitely recommend coming along and trying it for yourself.

Reviewing: Woodland Wellbeing for Women

Cathleen

I booked 2 days over Easter break for my 6 year old grandson and he absolutely loved the experience. The girls who take the sessions are so friendly, kind, responsible and trustworthy I was so relaxed leaving my little one with them. He came back home with boxes of nature creations that he made and still loves sailing his little wooden boat crafted by him with help from the lovely ladies. I-   

would highly recommend this experience for children and cant wait to book again in summer holidays

Reviewing: Woodlandwise Holiday Camps

Noah

I enjoy going every Saturday, it’s the highlight of my week. I especially enjoy being allowed to use the tools to feather the wood for the fire and being able to light the fire. Easter camp was great because I got to go three days in a row 🤩

Dave

My kids loved their Forest School experience- they learned new skills and made new friends in the outdoors, supported by the experienced and enthusiastic leaders.

Reviewing:  Forest School

Contact us

Have a question or want to learn more? Get in touch with us using the form below.

Location

We are a pop-up service operating in many locations within Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire

 

About us

Woodlandwise Forest School CIC is an independent provider of nature-based learning experiences in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute. Our team of passionate, qualified leaders is dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love of the natural world in people of all ages.

Through our thoughtfully designed programmes, we aim to spark curiosity, build confidence, encourage critical thinking and foster a sense of care and responsibility for the environment.

We work in partnership with schools, community organisations and funders to deliver impactful, inclusive outdoor learning opportunities that support wellbeing, education and personal growth.

We deliver much more than nature play and Forest School. Lynne and Helen are both trained as Branching Out Leaders and Scottish Mental Health First Aiders, and Helen has gained a Level 3 Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches certificate and is a qualified Think Like a Tree Facilitator. 

Helen is currently the Chair of the Argyll Owl Group (part of the Outdoor Woodland Learning Scotland Network), and is involved in helping to connect outdoor leaders, teachers, early years workers and a whole host of like minded souls working to provide quality experiences in outdoor settings, provide CPD and other learning opportunities. 

We invite people of all ages and walks of life to come and explore the magic of the woodland with us—where learning, adventure and connection grow naturally.