Week Six: Campfires, Reflection, and Lasting Connections

As the golden light of autumn settled over the woods, week six of the Dads Matter - Nature & Wellbeing Project marked the perfect finale to six weeks of learning, laughter, and connection.

Delivered by Forest Frontiers in partnership with Time to Connect CIC and funded by Bolton CVS, this final in-person session brought everything together - the storytelling, play, mindfulness, creativity, and nature walks of previous weeks - into one joyful, relaxed afternoon.

It was a celebration of how far the group had come, and of the powerful bonds formed between dads, children, and nature.

A warm and familiar rhythm

By week six, the sessions had become a natural part of everyone’s week. Dads and children arrived with a sense of ease and anticipation - chatting, laughing, and ready to embrace whatever the evening had in store.

“It felt a lot more informal now,” Jan reflected. “People kind of arrived at four o’clock expecting what we usually do - chatting, playing, and looking forward to the wonderful tea.”

That sense of routine brought comfort and belonging. For many dads, this wasn’t just a one-off activity anymore; it had become a weekly ritual that offered community, connection, and calm.

A feast by the fire

And what better way to end than with food shared around a fire?

Julie and the Forest Frontiers team prepared a delicious campfire chili, filling the woodland air with mouth-watering aromas.

“It was a chili to be hold,” Jan said. “Beautifully made on the campfire.”

Everyone gathered around, bowls in hand, chatting and laughing together as the flames flickered. The meal became a moment of reflection as much as nourishment - a reminder of how food, like nature, brings people together.

Even the children joined in with enthusiasm, proving that outdoor cooking can be a hit with all ages.

“One little girl said she didn’t like chili,” Jan smiled. “But when she tried some - she did!”

There were seconds for many, and Doritos and cheese to finish - a simple but joyful feast that left everyone satisfied and smiling.

Play, freedom, and laughter

Once the plates were cleared, the play began - a true celebration of freedom, imagination, and connection.

The forest came alive with hide-and-seek and spontaneous water games as children explored, splashed, and invented new challenges. Dads joined in, laughing alongside them, sharing in the messy joy of discovery.

“There was lots of playing in the river,” Jan said. “Kids were filling and emptying mugs and bins - learning about physics and fine-motor skills without even realising it.”

It was a striking contrast to the first week, when many children stayed close to their dads. Now, they moved independently and confidently, demonstrating how much they’d grown.

“In the first few weeks, they were holding onto their dads,” Jan observed. “By this time, they hardly had any fear. They were off playing freely and happily.”

That growing independence - supported by patient, engaged fathers - is exactly what the programme aimed to nurture.

Reflection around the fire

As the sun began to dip, Julie invited everyone to gather again, this time for reflection. The group talked about outdoor activities they could continue as families and how to keep their connection with nature alive.

“Julie sat down and got dads to think about what they do now outdoors,” Jan explained. “She asked how they could develop that - what ideas they had to make things last.”

The responses were heartwarming and practical. One dad said he planned to build a fire pit in his back garden so he and his child could recreate the experience at home. Others shared ideas for future adventures - more walks, more mud, more storytelling, and more shared time outdoors.

These moments of reflection tied the project together beautifully, reminding everyone that what they’d learned wasn’t just for these six weeks - it was for life.

Looking back on six weeks of growth

This final session was also a chance to look back on the journey as a whole. Dads were given a summary worksheet listing each week’s theme and were asked to reflect on their favourite sessions - both personally and from their children’s point of view.

“We asked them to think about all six sessions - storytelling, free play, mindfulness, creative clay, the nature walk, and cooking outside - and rank them in order,” Jan said. “It was quite a challenging activity, really!”

Some dads based their choices on what felt most natural or comfortable to them. Others picked the sessions that stretched them the most, that encouraged them to try something new.

Julie explained that there were no right or wrong answers - just opportunities to reflect on what resonated and why.

“We asked them to consider what they enjoyed, what their children enjoyed, and what they might want to do more of,” Jan added. “It was about creative reflection - thinking of how to continue these experiences.”

Some dads even involved their children in the ranking, asking which sessions they loved most - a beautiful example of listening to children’s voices and valuing their opinions.

Lessons that will last

Beyond the laughter and learning, week six highlighted how much had changed since the start.

The dads had built confidence in their parenting, discovering new ways to bond through play and exploration. The children had grown in independence, creativity, and courage. And the group had become a small community - a space where everyone could belong.

“It was a perfect session to bring everything together,” Jan said. “We really left on a high.”

Even the small details - like the smoke from the campfire or the laughter echoing through the woods - became symbols of everything the project stood for: connection, simplicity, and shared joy.

One dad’s plan to build his own fire pit summed it up perfectly: the experiences had inspired new traditions, helping families bring a little bit of the forest home.

A culture of reflection and growth

Before the evening ended, the dads filled in their final evaluations - something they’d come to look forward to each week.

“They’re well trained now,” Jan laughed. “They know what they’re doing!”

This week’s reflection also helped prepare for the online follow-up session, led by Time to Connect, where dads will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences, share learning, and explore how to keep the momentum going.

“We reminded them about the online session next week at seven o’clock,” Jan said. “It’ll be great to see everyone again.”

Celebrating the journey

Looking back, each session offered something unique:

• Week 1: Storytelling and belonging

• Week 2: Free play and independence

• Week 3: Mindfulness and sound baths

• Week 4: Creativity and clay

• Week 5: Foraging and discovery

• Week 6: Campfires and reflection

Together, these experiences formed a powerful narrative - one that showed how time in nature can strengthen families, support wellbeing, and bring joy back into parenting.

“It was the perfect ending,” Jan concluded. “Everything we’d learned came together. Everyone relaxed, connected, and reflected. You couldn’t have asked for a better finish.”

Looking ahead

Although the in-person sessions have ended, the journey doesn’t stop here. The upcoming online reflection session will provide space for dads to reflect on what they’ve taken from the project - and how they plan to continue connecting with their children outdoors.

The Dads Matter - Nature & Wellbeing Project has shown that when fathers are given space to connect, learn, and grow, the benefits ripple through families and communities alike.

And as the campfire embers faded and families said their goodbyes, one thing was certain: the warmth of these six weeks will continue to glow long after the smoke has cleared.