Teenage Dirtbags
The first few months of the programme was supported by Scottish Forestry and, over the course of 5 months we introduced the Teenage Dirtbags to traditional crafts and skills, including coppicing, tree planting, greenwood crafts and blacksmithing, and worked together to build a timber structure in the woods. The Dirtbags reported
Increased wellbeing
Increased confidence – about being outdoors, working with others, and doing practical activites
Learning about potential careers in the woods
Having a great time!
We’ve loved running the programme, so are carrying on! Whilst looking for further funding, we’re hosting monthly sessions for the Teenage Dirtbags.
Places are limited each session so if you’re interested in taking part, just click the button below to sign up. You can email us with any questions on hello@greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk. Need to know more before you sign up? Check out the FAQs below.
Remember, this is for you if you’re at all interested in being outdoors, doing something great for the climate, learning new crafts, building things, or finding out about what goes on in the woods.
Teenage Dirtbags is a our volunteer group for young people aged 14+. We get out into the woods, learn woodland crafts and sustainable woodland management techniques, and chat around the fire. It’s free to attend, and a great way to learn more about the woodlands and hang out with your friends - as well as making new ones!
The initial project was supported by:
Programme
Sessions will take place on our site near the Port of Menteith or in Kirkton Wood, nr Aberfoyle (https://what3words.com/former.relishing.mural), about a 15 minute walk from the bus-stop, both served by the X10A between Glasgow and Stirling. All sessions are outside in the woods, but we will have some shelter available as well as a campfire. Sessions run from 10am to 3pm. When you sign up, we’ll send you all the details you need.
Scheduled dates are:
Saturday 21 March
Saturday 18 April
Saturday 23 May
Saturday 27 June
FAQs
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We want to give young people a safe way to find out about different traditional crafts skills and potential careers in the woodlands. We also help it will build confidence, increase wellbeing, and help participants meet new, likeminded folk.
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The majority of the sessions will take place at Kirkton Wood, nr Aberfoyle (https://what3words.com/former.relishing.mural). Participants can get to Aberfoyle on the X10A bus and then walk from there - about a 15 minute walk. Some sessions will take place on our site near to the Port of Menteith. We’ll discuss travel arrangements directly with participants.
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Both sites are fully outdoor, woodland sites. There are composting toilets at both sites.
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We’ll have a craft on offer at each session, running alongside the workshop construction. We’ll be coppicing, tree planting, weaving, making Christmas decorations, and blacksmithing.
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We provide all the tools, and we’ll have work gloves for you to wear. You’ll need waterproof jackets, appropriate outdoor clothes for the winter, and sturdy shoes.
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No! Each session is free to attend.
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Get in touch with us via email (hello@greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk) and we’ll look at each case individually.
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In a word, yes! There are obviously some risks working outsite, but we do our best to mitigate those. We’ve been running projects like these since 2013 and we only work with experienced trainers. We’re first aid trained and everyone involved has the full PVG clearance to work with young people. We also have full insurance for all the activities we do.
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Of course! A focus of ours is to encourage more women into the working in the woods. Most sessions will have at least one female trainer involved.
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We welcome everyone to the woods, so yes - please do come along. We have good experience of working with young people who are neurodivergent, and try our best to create safe spaces for everyone.