About Folk Play Forest of Lucky Kids Illawarra
About Our Nature Play Programs
Explore our forest schooling programs in Wollongong Illawarra, for children aged 0 – 13 years old.
Who We Are
About FOLKplay - Forest of Lucky Kids
FOLKplay was established to provide outdoor education and nature play programs for children and families in the Wollongong and Illawarra Region. Our programs are facilitated by qualified teachers using a forest schooling pedagogy.
However, FOLKplay is not a registered school. We offer nature playgroups for children and carers, bush kindy forest ‘skool’ for independent 3 – 10 year olds and school holiday programs for mixed age kids.
Our Director
Katrina Venables – Founder of FOLKplay
My passion is in providing the space for little people to feel confident and free to play in nature without any structure. This is where the joy happens, and I feel so lucky to provide a service like FOLKplay which offers that space. Our strong team of supporting Educators work together to allow your child to grow and blossom in free nature play.
Raised in Wollongong, my childhood memories were of hiking Mt Keira, exploring tracks and trails with my dog, building swings and cubbies with my siblings and Sooo much beach time.
With a background in outdoor education, I was lucky to discover the world of Nature Play after having my 3 girls between 2012-2014. Watching them play outdoors was when I really saw the growth, wonder and sheer happiness that children experience when they are free to play in a natural environment.
We aim to share this joy with as many kids as we can!
Our Qualifications
Katrina has been working in Outdoor Education since 2000
- Bachelor of Outdoor Education (Parks, Recreation and Heritage Management)
- Diploma in Outdoor Recreation (Canoeing, climbing, bushwalking, ropes, archery)
- Cert 4 Training and Assessor
- Graduate Diploma Vocational Education and Training
- Current WWCC
- Level 3 Forest School Leader
- First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma
Nature Play Programs In The Illawarra
Katrina spent 18 years delivering School Camp Programs for the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation
In 2000 Katrina Venables began her outdoor education doing a Cadetship in Park Management with Wollongong Council. She then adventured as an Eco-guide in Uluru, Northern Territory, before landing back in the Gong, to work for 18 years with NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, delivering School Camp Programs.
Outdoor Adventure For Kids
In 2022, Katrina co-founded Bush Magic Adventures
Katrina co founded Bush Magic Adventures in 2022 after it became clear there was a need for a Nature Play Service in the Illawarra. Bush Magic grew so quickly that it has split into two separate businesses. Katrina launched FOLKplay in 2024 and in its first month of operation, FOLKplay saw over 1000 children gain access to the wonders of outdoor education and playing in nature.
Come Nature Play With Us! In The Forest of Lucky Kids Illawarra
Book now to reserve a spot for your child.
Our Outdoor Education Team
FOLKplay’s Educators are all passionate about working in nature with children
Every staff member of FOLKplay is screened for WWCC and has a current first aid certificate. Some have degrees (and some Masters’ qualifications) in relevant areas. Our staff are trained and supervised by our Senior team in Forest Schooling Pedagogy and outdoor education before working with your children.
Nature Play Programs in Wollongong NSW
FOLKplay is an Australian Forest School Association Member
This means we follow the forest schooling guiding principles set by AFSA using forest schooling pedagogy. We allow children to develop meaningful relationships with nature, others and themselves through:
- Regular and ongoing immersion in natural wild spaces
- Connection to Country, First Nations people, and their ancient connection to the land
- Free play, flexible structure and a natural learning environment
- Inclusive and accessible learning environment
- Mentoring practices that embrace a sense of adventure, challenge and resilience
- Sustainable environmental practices to preserve our natural resources and local species