‘Rough and Weapon Play in the Outdoors’ A One Day Workshop with Jon Cree
An immersive day looking at rough play in natural world settings; how do practitioners REflect, REframe and REplay.
.
About this outdoor learning and rough play CPD workshop
Working with the nature play cycle, this rough and weapon play outdoor learning workshop will explore the characteristics of play and the value of conflict in play. Play, behaviour and consent are the broader themes. How do we support play through a consent/ needs lens while holding to nature centric values? We will apply theory to our own challenges and real life scenarios.
Who this outdoor learning and rough play CPD workshop for?
This workshop is for anyone working with youngsters, using a play based education, from early years up to adolescents in the natural world.
It is suitable for Primary Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Early Years Practitioners, Outdoor Educators and Forest School Practitioners, Home School Educators.
Worhshop Aims / What you will learn?
This workshop aims to see you going away with:
- An understanding of how to work with perceived conflict in play.
- How we support, get out of the way, and when to get into the play in the woods?
- Observation skills; who’s values are guiding us?
- Nature based activities and games (there will be projectiles!)
- An understanding of how we as educators can support or adulterate play with different types of dialogue.
What is included:
- Instruction, discussion and ideas to develop own practice.
- Play with your wild intelligence.
- Online Resources.
Who facilitates this Rough Play Outdoor Learning Workshop?
I.E.E. accredited trainer Jon Cree will deliver this workshop.
Jon was the founding chair of the Forest School Association (FSA) UK and co-wrote The Essential Guide to Forest School & Nature Pedagogy with Circle of Life Rediscovery Director Marina Robb.
Jon Cree is a rare creature usually found rummaging around his natural habitat of the woods, paddling in his canoe or hibernating in a hammock. He is easily identified by his charismatic hats, giggly infectious laugh and a slightly squeaky voice when excited. Being a social creature he is at his best when in company telling stories around a fire with a brew. He is a long time Earth Educator, Forest School leader and environmental trainer. He has worked with numerous groups of all ages over the last 40 years. . His passion has always been working with learners challenged by our education system and who thrive in play in the natural world.
How many hours?
1 day, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Next available dates
Date: Thursday 18th September 2025
Please note places are limited
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Early Bird Cost: £75.00, until 18th July 2025
Regular Cost: £85.00
Location: Our woodland site, off Park Lane, near Laughton, East Sussex, BN8 6BP
Overview of the Rough Play Outdoor Learning Workshop
A workshop where we’ll explore the ludic process, wild play cycles, risky play and risk-taking! You’ll be immersed in wild and weapon play, while we explore the role of consent.
Values and our own personal challenges will be examined and how we respond to what we perceive as ‘threatening and unsafe play’. There will be space to explore ‘tricky’ confrontational scenarios participants may have encountered.
What to bring
- Sense of what is ‘edgy’ for you when experiencing weapon and rough play
- A sense of adventure and playfulness.
- Outdoor clothing – we may well be lying down and getting dirty
- Packed lunch and drinking water
Testimonials from other CPD workshops with Jon Cree
I enjoyed the total participation and how it flowed throughout the day. I was not expecting the day to have such a profound effect on me!
I really enjoyed the playful, magical quality to the day and appreciate how easy Jon made it seem, but also how incredibly skillful he was! I also really appreciated how he made such a point of making contact with each one of us throughout the day, I am one of those people who can disappear into the background and feel separate because of it (!) I really appreciated the way Jon kept bringing me back into the group in such a warm and gentle way, it made me feel included, and I have never experienced that in the same way in any other group. That was a big teaching for me personally. Thank you!
Attending the Earthwalks course has given me confidence to know I'm on the right track in my existing work & that I'm not alone! It helps enormously to share these sorts of sessions & be reassured there are other kindred spirits who understand the instinctive & creative work that reconnects/reminds us of our wild nature soul.
I enjoyed the total participation and how it flowed throughout the day. I was not expecting the day to have such a profound effect on me!
I really enjoyed the playful, magical quality to the day and appreciate how easy Jon made it seem, but also how incredibly skillful he was! I also really appreciated how he made such a point of making contact with each one of us throughout the day, I am one of those people who can disappear into the background and feel separate because of it (!) I really appreciated the way Jon kept bringing me back into the group in such a warm and gentle way, it made me feel included, and I have never experienced that in the same way in any other group. That was a big teaching for me personally. Thank you!
Attending the Earthwalks course has given me confidence to know I'm on the right track in my existing work & that I'm not alone! It helps enormously to share these sorts of sessions & be reassured there are other kindred spirits who understand the instinctive & creative work that reconnects/reminds us of our wild nature soul.
I enjoyed the total participation and how it flowed throughout the day. I was not expecting the day to have such a profound effect on me!