Acorn Processing Workshop (for adults)

Course dates November 5th 2023, 11-4pm Spring Rise Community Gardens, Emerson College, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX

Price Options

£40 - £80 (sliding scale). Standard fee: £60 Supporters fee: £80 Supported fee: £40

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About the course

On this day we will walk the land and meet several oak trees and learn traditional methods of harvesting and processing fresh and dried acorns as our ancestors once did. We will share stories and tree lore and learn some of the gifts of food and medicine that the oak tree offers. As a group we will learn how to process acorn flour, among other acorn foods, using traditional methods and will be able to share this with friends and families or children that you work with.

Who is this course suitable for?

  • This workshop is for adults and will support those working with children in outdoor education such as Forest School facilitators.

The course will cover

  • Learn how to process acorns into flour using traditional and modern methods.
  • Learn different leaching methods and how to turn flour, meal, and whole pieces into a variety of delicious foods.
  • Explore why acorns are important as a food source and learn about the nutrients contained in them.
  • Learn about the history of Oaks and acorns as well as what they offer today.
  • Learn songs, stories and games dedicated to the oak. We will share lyrics and provide bare bones of the stories so that you will be able to go home and share with your family, friends and those you work with.
  • Explore the old names and gifts of the oak tree as we share food that they provide and touch upon their medicinal uses.
  • An opportunity to create nourishing connection with others, to honour and celebrate the trees, engage with simple ceremony and have time to slow down and listen to the land.
  • Forest School facilitators and nature educators will learn song, games and story that will help children to have a deeper connection to the trees. This is an important aspect of the Children’s Forest approach.

Fee:

£40 – £80 (sliding scale)

  • Standard fee: £75
  • Supporters fee: £80
  • Supported fee: £40
  • Contact us if you wish to pay a different amount, see below.

Please pay at the level comfortable to you. We support paying it forward – when you pay more as a supporter, it will directly facilitate someone else to attend via the supported (concessionary) rate. And all additional income will directly help with the planting of Children’s Forests, contributing towards a bright future for all. 

If you wish to pay a different amount, please contact Ellie to discuss an affordable option for you. If finances are a barrier, we are open to trades and exchanges: email: [email protected]

About the tutors

Ellie Fuller: Ellie is an experienced nature mentor and wilderness skills facilitator. Her passion is supporting children and young people especially to connect with the natural world in reciprocal, fun and adventurous ways. The vision of Children’s Forest and her own are deeply aligned, and she loves her role as a Children’s Forest Facilitator.

Owen Owen is an experienced nature mentor, craftsperson and loves nothing more than gathering large quantities of acorns, chestnurts, hickories and butternuts. He has a passion for growing nut trees and edible forests as well as harvesting and processing nuts to feed his community. He has been experimenting with acorn leaching and eating since he was 12, and is recently most excited about making nut oil.

Testimonials

Slide 1

“I love everything about Children’s Forest's courses. These immersive nature days are filled with so much enchantment and joy that leave me feeling deeply connected to the more than human world and to my true self as an inseparable part of nature. I particularly adore singing tree songs together, which feels like a beautiful way of reciprocating the many gifts the trees offer us. I've shared with my children and they are now Children's Forests biggest fans!"

Rachel P
Slide 2

"A really wonderful day connecting with trees and learning more about our own indigenous traditions too. I'd highly recommend these workshop for anyone looking for a couple of hours escape - I arrived exhausted and left energised and rejuvenated!"

Lucy R
Slide 3

"I've attended numerous Children’s Forest short courses and each time I leave brimming with inspiration and new knowledge that I can't wait to share with my family and the groups I teach. I've learned so much from the wealth of wisdom they share on tree lore, responsible foraging and some truly connective nature crafts, games and songs that will really enrich my educational groups!"

Sally B
Slide 1

“Thank you so much Children’s Forest, the days you bring feel very special, like a forest school for adults. Beautiful beloved songs sung from the heart, weaving and connecting hearts together, hands on experience with nature from source to creation, gathering in circle and being truly human and releasing all the bliss you have inside can be shared.”

Jo P
Slide 1

"I loved learning how to process and eat the nourishing acorns on the acorn workshop. The Children's Forest course was fun and left me with skills that I will be using for the rest of my life!"

Millie D
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Upcoming courses

October 26-27th 2024, 10-4pm

Forests From Seed: 2-day workshop (for adults)

Standard fee: £85, Supporters fee: £100, Supported / concessionary fee: £65.

Located at our small tree nursery, participants will learn how to set up their own, for a school, forest school, community or even in their garden. We will learn how to respectfully forage, process and germinate tree seeds and also to use the fruits and nuts for food and medicine. We will look at different ways of treating various kinds of seed in order to germinate and grow them into saplings and how to tend the growing trees for optimal health of future forest plantings.

Find out more

October 31st 2024, 11-4pm

Acorn & Ancestors; Community day

Adults £25-£50, children £5

Join us as we gather together to process and eat acorns. We will honour the ancestors and future generations with song and craft as we celebrate the Celtic new year at Samhain.

Find out more

December 15th 2024, 11-3pm

Winter Community Celebration

Adults £20-£45 (sliding scale), children £5

Come & celebrate the trees together with us this Winter Solstice at Spring Rise. Fun & crafts for all the family. There will be singing & storytelling around a hearty fire, and tree based crafts galore. Make Christmas tree decorations, wreaths, healing tree salves for gifts and more. Learn how to plant holly seeds which will one day be planted out in the Children's Forests.

Find out more