Shelter for Fireflies in the Bosque

This crowdfunding campaign aims to support the acquisition, transport and assembly costs of a dome that will serve as a shelter in Bosque dos Pirilampos.

This crowdfunding campaign aims to support the costs of purchasing, transporting and assembling a dome, a house/shelter with heating for the children of Bosque dos Pirilampos and for all the activities developed in this project, which has sustainability, ecology, holistic personal development, education/psychology and positive parenting as corre principles.

Bosque dos Pirilampos is a school in the forest. A school that aims to be an alternative to the more traditional forms of education and respects the pace of learning for each child, using natural materials and nature as a stage, which contains endless pedagogical resources.

Outdoor experiences are our main focus since studies show evidence that children's exposure to natural environments can promote creativity, the development of motor skills, alleviate attention deficit and assist in decision-making ( Erickson and Erns, 2011; Webster, 2011). On the other hand, research has shown that children's contact with nature tends to counteract the negative effects of the current lifestyle (Ferreira, 2015) such as promoting the development of the immune system, strengthening muscles, bones and joints ( Bird, 2004; Godbay, 2009).

In a pandemic context like the one we live in, this contact with nature is even more important to keep children with a healthy mind and body.

The Bosque dos Pirilampos excels, then, for the exposure of children to nature and its seasons. However, sometimes the weather conditions become too aggressive for a safe and comfortable enjoyment of the Forest. On the other hand, the age range of children who attend the Bosque focuses on between 2 and 6 years, which implies that most children will need to take a nap.

For these reasons we feel the need to create a shelter so that children can feel safe and cozy in the most extreme weather.

The shelter in question has already been chosen after market research, taking into account the particularities of the Forest. The chosen solution is a second-hand dome measuring 50m2, with heating                                                                                 

It is important to create spaces where children can be themselves and enjoy the freedom and developmental challenges that nature gives them. Please support our project to make our Bosque the second home that all children should have access to.

About the author

Bosque dos Pirilampos is a Forest School, a Forest School, located in the town of Gens, Gondomar, which aims to be a second home for all the children who join us. Children will be able to experience direct contact with nature most of the time, every day exploring, playing and, at the same time, developing skills.

At the moment it is just a space with independent service provision, however we are in the process of forming the Bosque dos Pirilampos Association, and that is why it is one of the members (Iolanda Rocha) to submit this campaign. The Association will allow the development of the Forest with the community that will be part of it and that will contribute to its continuous growth in the future.

Budget and due dates

The budget presented, which totals €5000, comprises the following:

• 461.25€ for costs associated with crowdfunding platform commissions
• €4538.75 to support part of the costs associated with the acquisition of the Dome

The total cost of the Dome is €10600, so this campaign aims to support our personal investment in the shelter.

Schedule:

September 2021 - Start of crowdfunding campaign and Dome acquisition

September to November 2021 - Disclosure of the crowdfunding campaign

The Dome will have to be purchased at the beginning of the campaign, due to the need to shelter the children in the autumn during the daily activities of the Bosque, in case of need due to bad weather.

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