IF you go down to the woods in Houston today, you’re sure of a big surprise.

For a caring shop worker has organised a ‘bear hunt’ for local children in a bid to boost community spirit during lockdown.

Danielle McKinnon, 22, has been entertaining families this week by taking them on a fun adventure around the wooded area next to Ardgryffe Park.

The team leader at the Co-op store in Houston has been using the 30-minute-long trips to help parents with home schooling while classrooms remain closed.

“I try to do as much as I can within the community,” Danielle told The Gazette. “Many kids will be fed up with the lockdown now, so I decided to take a week off work so I could organise this interactive storytime for them.

“I meet the families at the red bridge beside the river at Ardgryffe and, together, we explore the area through the mud, forests and caves until we find the bear.

“The kids are learning through play while they are taking part in the bear hunt, so they will be continuously developing their literacy and numeracy skills.”

Danielle chose to hold the event next to Ardgryffe Park as it contains all the environmental conditions found in Michael Rosen’s picture book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.’

The former Gryffe High School pupil even managed to get her hands on a blue and white bear costume – matching the colours of the Co-op logo – for the fun activity, with her mum Liane agreeing to help out with the dressing-up duties.

Once the youngsters reach the end of their adventure, they are awarded a participation certificate and a colouring-in sheet of a bear, which they can bring into the Co-op Houston store for Danielle to put up on the wall.

She added: “If they wish, the kids can participate in some storytime yoga too, which I am fully trained in.

“I used to work at an outdoor nursery before I worked at the Co-op and I think it’s important to help enhance children’s learning during this time.

“I also want to help encourage parents to think of new ways to teach their kids during lockdown.”

Danielle has been hosting the activities from noon until 5pm since Monday and is hoping to keep running sessions until Friday.

The bear hunt is free to attend and suitable for children aged from one to nine.

To book a session, contact Danielle by sending a message request to the Co-op Houston Community Page on Facebook.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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