Sylvan Adventures
Sylvan Adventures is a not for profit organisation based in the South West and provides fun, practical and outdoor learning experiences for individuals and organisations. We have a passion for nature and outdoor learning and we want to share our knowledge and enthusiasm through first hand experience to ensure the sustainability of our natural world.
In this digital age our connection to nature is often neglected or missing as we lead our busy lives. Through our nature adventures we hope to enable people to create meaningful connections to nature in a fun and playful way as well as experiencing and learning new skills.
In addition to the personal achievements and experiences gained from our nature adventures, we can mark your achievements with nationally recognised certificates, through our work with the John Muir Trust and Duke of Edinburgh awards. We want to provide the next generation of outdoor champions with the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge required in order to progress an environmental career.
Daniel Best
I founded Sylvan Adventures in 2013 to share my lifelong passion for wildlife and the natural environment. This started with me growing up in rural Herefordshire and developed during my HND in Countryside Management, including over a year spent with the West Wales Wildlife Trust, delivering environmental education. Since moving to Devon I have worked on the ‘Wild Nights Out’ project for Devon Discovery, Play Torbay and Play England as an Environmental Play Worker, whereby I gained both childcare and forest school qualifications. I am a member of the Forest School Association and a county representative for Devon. I also have an A1 NVQ Assessor qualification and a John Muir Leader’s Award. Co-delivered the Eco-play with Play Torbay for Torquay Academy Summer School 2012.
As well as my passion for nature and outdoors, I have a keen interest in communication and language difficulties. This could be partly due to the fact I have dyslexia. This has seen me want to help and support other people get involved in activities, and why I have had the Special Education Needs Coordinator role at a day nursery for at least 6 years. During this time I have gained a lot of experience in support people with language and communication difficulties, and training in Sign Support English sign Language, Makaton, P.E.C.S and A.S.D.
During my career I have always enjoyed supporting and developing people. I can empathise with people with additional needs because I am dyslexic myself and have worked alongside many people with additional needs. (Apologies if there are spelling or grammatical errors on the website or any of our material!) I hope the opportunities of the nature adventures offered by Sylvan Adventures will allow us to develop together.
Sylvan Bear
Sylvan is vastly experienced at being a bear! He was found in the woods at an early age by madeby nanny.He loves sharing his knowledge of the woodland environment and greatly assists Dan when playing with children. Much loved and well traveled , in 2013 he participated in playwork activities in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. He is becoming a familiar face at play conferences and John Muir gatherings.
Other Team members
Sylvan Adventures works with and in partnership with other specialists and organisations.
Responsibilities
We aim to connect people to nature in a fun way and take our responsibilities to the environment and participants very seriously. Our staff are all qualified professionals, which includes forest school, first aid, playwork and early years qualifications. We maintain insurance, DBS checks and risks assessments. Consent forms for under 18s are used. If you would like to know more please ask.