Back to News & Field Notes

Soap, Plants, Fire and 60 Children in Nature

We welcomed a group of 60 children from a primary school in Koper. Our goal was simple: to give them a different kind of day in nature, where they could learn, try things with their hands, ask questions and have fun outside.

The children came from OŠ Antona Ukmarja in Koper. For many of them, the visit was a chance to spend a school day in a different environment, away from the classroom and closer to the land.

We first introduced them to Park Istra: why the project started, what kind of work we do, and what our goals are. Then we divided them into three groups, so each group could take part in different workshops.

The workshops were practical and simple. We wanted the children to touch, smell, observe, make things and learn through doing.

Making homemade soap

One group joined a workshop on making homemade soap.

The children watched how soap is made and, under supervision, helped mix the ingredients. At the end, each child could take home their own soap.

This kind of workshop is useful because it shows children that everyday things do not always need to come from a shop. Something as ordinary as soap can be made by hand, with attention and knowledge.

In the second part of the workshop, the children collected horse chestnuts from our garden.

We showed them that horse chestnuts can also be used for washing clothes. If you cut about eight horse chestnuts and soak them overnight in water, the liquid can be used for a full washing machine of laundry.

For children, facts like this are exciting because they are surprising. A tree in the garden suddenly becomes connected to daily life. A chestnut is not just something to pick up from the ground, but something useful.

Discovering plants

Another group explored the garden and meadows around Park Istra.

After a short introduction, the children went for a walk and collected plants. Then we looked at them together and tried to identify what they had found.

This was not about memorising long lists of names. It was about looking more carefully.

Children notice a lot when they are given time. They see shapes, colours, smells, textures and small differences between plants. They ask direct questions. They are often less afraid than adults to touch, smell and investigate.

The children also made small bouquets and gave them to one another.

After that, they lay down in the grass, calmed down and listened to the sounds of nature. We talked with them about what they heard and how the experience felt.

This was one of the quieter parts of the day, but an important one. Being in nature is not only about activity. It is also about learning how to stop, listen and pay attention.

Learning how to work with fire

The third workshop was about fire.

We wanted to teach the children how to light a fire in a way that is safe for them and safe for the surroundings.

Fire is something children are naturally curious about, but it needs to be respected. The goal was not to make it mysterious or forbidden, but to show how it can be handled carefully.

Once the fires were burning, the children had a lot of fun baking bread and vegetables on sticks.

This is always one of the best parts of a day outside. Food tastes different when you have prepared it yourself, held it over the fire and waited for it to be ready.

There was also singing with guitar accompaniment from one of the teachers, and the children made a traditional instrument called “nunolce”.

The workshop became a mix of practical skills, food, music and tradition.

A full day outside

After the workshops, we all gathered for a group photo.

Before leaving, the teachers asked the children whether they would like to come again. They all shouted “yes” at the same time.

Later, the teachers told us that some children had described the workshops at Park Istra as the most beautiful thing they had ever experienced with school.

That meant a lot to us.

For the volunteers who prepared and led the workshops, the day was also very pleasant. Working with children brings a different kind of energy. They are curious, honest, loud, funny, impatient, interested, easily distracted and easily amazed.

It takes preparation, but it also gives a lot back.

Why these days matter

Days like this are part of Park Istra’s educational work.

We believe children should have more chances to learn outside, with their hands and senses, not only through books or screens.

Nature is a very good classroom. It gives children real materials, real questions and real experiences. They can see where things come from, how plants grow, how fire works, how simple objects can be made, and how much there is to notice in one garden or meadow.

The workshops were also a way to show that sustainability is not only a serious topic for adults.

It can be soap, chestnuts, plants, bread on sticks, music, fire and laughter.

It can be a child discovering that something ordinary is useful. It can be a group learning how to share space outside. It can be a school day that feels different enough to stay in memory.

We are grateful to the children and teachers from OŠ Antona Ukmarja, and to all the volunteers who helped prepare and carry out the workshops.

It was a good day in Park Istra.