July and August 2024 were the heart of summer at Firefly Forest School. Our Bangkok garden was busy with Summer Camp friends, farm animals and little bakers, while our Into the Woods adventurers went deep underground. In between we threw open our doors for our annual Open House and welcomed some very special real-life heroes – a season that showed nature-based learning at its most joyful.
Into the Woods Camp no. 24: brave hearts underground
Our Under the Ground Camp (Season 2) at the Bo Ploi Lek Phet gem ponds turned our little adventurers into real explorers. They bravely climbed down into a four-metre-deep hole, hearts pounding with anticipation, to search for hidden treasure. The adventure was not only about finding gems, but about connecting with nature and discovering how rocks and minerals form and why they matter to our planet’s ecosystems.
Then came the caves. In the darkness, courage shone brightly: the children kept walking with curious, fearless hearts. Mysterious creatures appeared in the beam of their torches – bats and even giant spiders – but nothing could stop our young explorers. Our teachers called it the most challenging, heart-racing journey of all 24 camps so far, and it was clear the children knew themselves inside and out and could take care of themselves wonderfully. Their reward was a handful of colourful gems – not worth much in money, but the courage the darkness awakened in their hearts will stay with them forever. Thank you to the park rangers at Khao Wongkot Cave for guiding the children through the caves.
Summer Camp in the garden
Back at school, Summer Camp 2 began with a Garden Week study, and we welcomed 30 children into our home – we were so glad to meet you all! Our Adventurers and Wayfarers classes were out exploring too, with small discoveries like a frog hiding in the grass. In the kitchen, our Under the Ground theme carried on with some “Underground Baking”.
A farm comes to playgroup
Our playgroups were in full swing, and one family kindly shared their little one’s farm day with us. Mama June brought sheep and goats right to school, and the children bottle-fed the sheep and goats, tried milking a cow, combed sheep’s wool, played in mud and water, and made pasta – and happily ate everything offered. That family said their little one was beaming from the moment they walked through the gate – and another parent told us that seeing their child so happy made them want to bring them to school every day.
We also opened bookings for Into the Woods Camp no. 25, Picnic on the Farm Season 3, on 22–23 July at The Scenery Vintage Farm in Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi – a chance to meet sheep, goats and horses, watch a sheep show and herding dogs at work, and enjoy storytelling, forest theatre and farm activities. In August, a sheep-painting session brought a lovely surprise: while the children were observing the sheep to paint them on canvas, one sheep wandered into the middle of the circle, as if she wanted to be the model.
Open House 2024: a Kids Market Fair
On Friday 19 July we celebrated the creativity and talents of our students at the Open House of Firefly Forest School 2024 – a fun-filled Kids Market Fair. The afternoon featured the Gruffalo story performed by Pee Toey and Pee Non of the Poon Poon Theater Company, a performance by Firefly children, creative activities for the whole family, and a market of handmade goods and treasures made by children and parents.
Fire training with our superheroes
At the end of July we held Fire Training: Superheroes in Action! A huge thank you to the team from Lat Phrao Fire Station for sharing such useful, real-life knowledge with all the children. Meeting their real-life heroes in person, the children’s eyes sparkled with happiness the whole time.
Art inspired by Arcimboldo
In August, Summer Camp 2024 took a turn into art history with the Giuseppe Arcimboldo Portrait Challenge, inspired by the painter famous for faces made of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Want your child to feel this kind of courage and curiosity? Come along to our weekend playgroups, discover our programs, or book a school tour and see life at Firefly for yourself.
Comments are closed