Why We're Heading Back To The Trees

In a world dominated by technology, Natalie French discovers why more and  more people are heading into the canopy for their fun and excitement.

- Natalie French

LAST year, The Great Big Tree Climbing Company took more than 9,000 climbers into tree canopies across England. That’s 9,000 people of all ages climbing trees and getting closer to nature.

“We get quite a few kids,” says managing director Mark Hawes, “but quite often the parents will go up with their kids, which is great.”

While the minimum age is six, there is no maximum, explains Mark: “We’ve had people in their 80s. We also had three generations of the same family go up; a grandmother, her daughter and granddaughter all climbing at the same time, which was wonderful – a memorable day.”

Since its creation in 2008, the company has grown to become the largest provider of recreational tree climbing activities in the country. But why the big surge in interest? “I think there’s been a real rebellion,” says Mark. “Parents are fed up with their kids being stuck in front of the computer. They want to relive their youth and get their kids back in the great outdoors and climbing trees. I think that’s a real change over the last few years.”

Mark believes this mind-set also drip-feeds into schools as well: “We do a lot of work with schools and they are really pushing to get kids outdoors with Forest Schools and dedicated members of staff for outside education.”