“Wild Play” Family Nature Play Gathering - July 2026 - Castlemaine

WHAT

Bush time.

Rest.

Family. Friends. Community.

Nature play.

Fireside.

Bushcraft.

Adventures.

Shared food.

Songs.

Stories.

Caring for land.

Caring for each other.

-—

Join us for 'Wild Play' - a winter family nature play camp-out at Open Field Co-Living, near Castlemaine on Djaara country.

We will be running this low-key gathering as a participatory 'blackboard style' event.
 
This means that the facilities and a suggested structure will be provided, but we will all co-create the experience. We want to create a culture where we all take care of each other and the spaces that we are sharing.

If you imagine it's a colouring book, we are providing the pages and the lines - but you (we all) choose the colours and fill out the page together! So, let’s get out there in the mud and have some fun!

If you have activities that you would like to facilitate or offer, skills or knowledge you want to share relating to nature connection, bushcraft, survival skills, ecology, wildlife, or related themes, either let us know beforehand or just jump in and sign up on the day via the whiteboard/blackboard. We ask that each adult with capacity volunteers 2 hours of their time to pitch in and help this gathering run smoothly.

What you offer can be as silly or serious as you like. Perhaps you'd like to lead a log-balancing competition? Or, team up to build a raft to traverse the dam with? Maybe share some skills with eco-printing, spoon carving, or animal tanning? Or, lead a group of children on a curious bush wander? Events aimed towards adults are also very welcome, this may include discussion topics, etc.

This is an informal social event. Our principal OT Nicola will be hosting and facilitating the event, but not working therapeutically in her capacity as an OT. Parents are responsible for supervision and for managing their children’s needs and wellbeing.

WHEN
From Fri July 3rd 12pm to Wednesday 8th July 2pm.

WHERE
27 Muckleford School Rd, Muckleford (Castlemaine / Djaara Country). This is a private property on an open flat paddock, 5kms from Castlemaine train station, and 1.5 hours from Melbourne.

COST
Just $50 per person (adult/child) for the full event, including camping.

More information and to book via the link below:

“Baobab Bushrangers” Nature-based Social Groups - Castlemaine

Our programs provide children with the opportunity to engage collaboratively, connect with peers, work as a team, find joy in being a part of a group, and practice navigating challenges that may arise in social situations in real life.

We offer a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and play-based approach based on the DIR-Floortime model, which is supported by a strong evidence base. We incorporate concepts and vocabulary from the “Social Thinking® Curriculum” as a way of offering options or ‘tools’ that we may want to draw on to help us take part in social life.

We understand that socializing and self-expression looks different for everyone and so rather than ‘teaching’ a specific set of prescribed behaviors and phrases, we aim to help young verbal learners develop the skills they need to be flexible social thinkers and social problem solvers.

We aim to empower children to express their needs, embrace their differences, and find tools to help them regulate their emotions and sensory differences in a group setting, to prepare them for social interactions in the real-world. For this reason, our groups are likely to be suitable for children with Autism, anxiety, ADHD and PDA and trauma.

Our Program

Our groups offer engaging and fun activities that are tailored to suit the children’s specific interests, skills and challenges. Each session includes group games and collaborative activities interwoven with opportunities for problem solving and collaboration, offering opportunities to develop their ‘Social Thinking’ skills.

Activities may include:

• Shelter building

• Art and craft

• Fire-making

• Cooking

• Sensory play

• Rope skills

• Making swings or tools

• Structured group games

• Supported collaborative play

Location

Our nature-based groups will be offered at a nature reserve, 5kms from central Castlemaine. At this location we will have access to toilets, shelter, fireplaces, as well as wild forest to explore, wildlife, flowers and plants. A full risk assessment has been completed and children will be constantly supervised at a maximum ratio of 1:4.

Facilitators

The groups are led by Nicola Stampa (Occupational Therapist) and Becky Walls (Teacher & Nature-based Facilitator). Both have extensive experience working therapeutically with neuro-diverse children across a range of ages.

Group Dates & Times

Group 1: Upper Primary Age (approx. 8-12 years old)
Wednesdays fortnightly during school term 4:15pm-5:30pm

Group 2: Lower Primary Age (approx. 4-7 years old)
Thursdays fortnightly during school term 4:15pm-5:30pm

Allocation to a group is determined according to personality, skills and developmental level rather than purely based on chronological age, so please call to discuss which group may be most appropriate for your child.

If your child is not a current client with Baobab Therapy, we will need to first book in an initial assessment session with you to assess your child’s needs and skills in depth, and tailor the program to support their goals. We charge our standard therapy fees for this session.

Please use our contact form below to express interest in this group or call Nicola on: 0401 682 416 to discuss suitability

Please contact us to discuss the estimated fee for this group. As a ‘Program of Support’ fees for each group vary based on the overall ratio of participants to staff. Discounted fees may be available for those who are not able to access funding and/or experiencing financial hardship.

* Please note that groups are subject to bookings/availability