on dharawal Country
“Children still need a childhood with dirt, mud, puddles, trees, sticks and tadpoles.”
– brooke hampton
Welcome to FLYING FOX
Australian Kids have a “play deficit”. They are overscheduled and over-stimulated, rushing from formal schooling, to structured after school activities or watching a screen and getting the quick dopamine hit. Children need time to play. To explore. To relax. To interact with our natural environment – to dig, to climb, to build and discover. This is vital for social skill development, cognitive function, gross and fine motor skill formation, emotional regulation and general wellbeing.
“If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs.”
– Nicolette Sowder
Our Programs
before school
Mindful Mornings
Mindful Mornings are designed to help children start the day feeling calm, focused, and ready to learn. In a peaceful, screen-free environment, children can take their time and ease into the morning.
They can choose from a variety of unstructured activities including art, sensory play, gardening, music, animal interactions, and play equipment. A healthy, low-sugar grazing breakfast is provided, featuring fresh fruit, yoghurt, nuts, and whole grains. After breakfast, children are walked to Kiama Public School or the St Peter and Paul’s bus stop.
after School
Afternoon Nature Play
3 hours of child led, interest based, unstructured outdoor fun! We kick off with a healthy picnic afternoon tea (seasonally adjusted to suit the climate) then venture out on Dharawal country. Warmer weather may involve swimming at the rock pools, water play, beach combing and rock hoping. Cooler months we stick to dry activities, exploring the local parks and nature trails- maybe even making a fire. Meeting point Kiama Public School Thomson Street Gate at 3pm.
holiday program
Full Day Wander
A whole day playing on country! Flying Fox kids learn how to make their own toys using natural materials and let their creativity run wild enjoying the many natural wonders of Dharawal Country. Deliberately low tech and unstructured, children unwind from a busy school term with this full day nature immersion. We will learn how to care for our country including native animals and plants and build resilience outdoors. Locations vary depending on weather conditions.
coming soon
Teen Chat + Chill
A tech free zone for teens to connect IRL! Various locations around Kiama and Gerringong, this group facilitates social interaction for teens in natural environments. No pressure. No judgement. Just turn up and be yourself. Activities include swimming, bushwalking, tree climbing, rock hopping games, music and anything else that you find interesting. NDIS Participants welcome.
“There’s no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this.”
meet the team
Hello from Sabrina
Sabrina Kelly has over 15 years experience working with children and teens in various capacities. A former Department of Education Primary School Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher and Special Education Teacher, Sabrina Co-Founded the not for profit Organisation ‘The Social Group For Neurodivergent Teens’ which won ‘Community Organisation of the Year’ in 2025. That same year Sabrina won ‘Citizen of the Year’ for her voluntary work with local children and teens and environmental activism.
For 8 years Sabrina owned and operated ‘Family OOSH’, twice winning the ‘Regional Educator of the Year award’ as well as a Parliamentary Award for service to the community.
Flying Fox is the culmination of Sabrina’s many years of teaching, meeting her passion for caring and preserving our natural environment. A tireless inclusion advocate, Flying Fox is an outside of school hours leisure activity where children of all abilities are welcome.
Sabrina believes that many Australian kids are missing out on the wonders of nature play due to rushing from formal schooling to scheduled activities or being glued to a screen. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of low tech, outdoor play to assist in social and emotional development as well as physical and mental well being.
Sabrina holds a Master of Teaching, Bachelor of Communication, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and is completing Certificate 3 In Outdoor Leadership including the Bronze Medallion qualification.
Flying Fox is not childcare. Flying Fox is not formal schooling. Flying fox is a play based leisure activity facilitating connecting to nature and to each other. Situated on the spectacular Dharawal Country coastline, the opportunities to learn, play and connect are limitless.