Forest İstanbul Adventure Park: Half a Day in the Forest for Class Bonding

Forest İstanbul is an adventure park in the Kemerburgaz forest where students test their balance, courage and team spirit on courses set up among the trees. Our programme includes three hours of activity time in the park, and the whole day takes about five hours. It is a strong option for schools that want to bring a class together at the start of a new term or take PE lessons out into nature.

What is Forest İstanbul like?

According to the catalogue, Forest İstanbul is an adventure, leisure and activity centre set in about 65,000 square metres of forest in Kemerburgaz. It welcomes both individual visitors and corporate groups. The courses are set up among the trees at different heights and levels of difficulty, with obstacles common in adventure parks such as rope bridges, swinging steps and rope crossings. Which courses are used is decided according to the age of the group.

The courses are used with helmets and safety equipment, under the guidance of park staff. Before going out on a course, participants learn from staff how to use the equipment.

Why is it good for class bonding?

An adventure course may look like a solo activity, but when you go as a group it naturally becomes a team experience:

• Encouragement: Cheering on a classmate on the course from below strengthens relationships within the class.
• Taking turns and patience: Waiting your turn at the obstacles and giving your classmate space.
• Personal limits: Each student chooses the level of difficulty that suits them; nobody is pushed, but everyone goes a little beyond themselves.
• A shared story: After the trip, "I managed to do this" stories keep the class talking for a long time.

As the catalogue also notes, the programme is suitable for PE and class bonding activities. It is particularly useful at the start of term, in newly formed classes or in groups that new students have joined.

How the programme runs

The Forest İstanbul Adventure Park Tour is a half-day programme:

1. 09:30 Departure
2. 10:00 Arrival; 3 hours of adventure courses and activities
3. 13:30 Departure for the return journey
4. 14:30 Arrival

Thanks to its short duration, you are back at school in the afternoon. The departure time is adjusted to your school's location at the quotation stage.

Age, height and weight rules

The age, height and weight rules for the courses are set by the operator and may vary from course to course. That is why it is important to state the participants' age range in your quote request. We specify the courses suitable for your group in the quote.

In practice, we recommend this: on the permission form collected from parents, ask about anything you should know, such as a fear of heights or joint or muscle problems. This information makes things easier for both the teacher and the park staff.

What should we wear?

• Comfortable sportswear: Stretchy clothes that don't restrict movement.
• Closed trainers: Sandals, slippers or heeled shoes are not suitable for the courses.
• An extra layer: As it is a forest area, it can be cool in the shade. A top suited to the season is useful.
• Hair tied back: Long hair should be tied up.
• Jewellery and accessories: Necklaces, large earrings and dangling accessories should be removed; phones and glasses should be kept somewhere safe.

A suggested day plan for teachers

• On arrival: Gather the group and listen to the park rules and the meeting point together.
• First hour: Everyone starts on the easy course. This is a good way both to build confidence and to get used to the equipment.
• Second hour: Students who want to can move up a level; those who don't can repeat their own level.
• Last hour: A short break with water and snacks. Then a feedback circle: "Who supported you today, and whom did you support?"

For corporate groups

Forest İstanbul also welcomes corporate groups; the programme suits companies and youth groups too. If you are looking for another activity that puts team spirit first, have a look at our article on corporate paintball events. You can also explore our corporate page for programmes tailored to companies.

How to explain it to parents

On an adventure park trip, parents usually want to know about safety. In the information note, state clearly that the courses are used with helmets and safety equipment under the guidance of park staff. Mentioning that the age, height and weight rules are set by the operator and that courses suitable for your group are chosen in advance also reassures parents.

It is important to stress that students can stay at their own level and that no student will be pushed onto a course they don't want to do. For children who are nervous about heights, this information makes the decision to join the trip easier. Don't forget to add the clothing list and the return time to the information note. For other preparation steps before a school trip, have a look at our parental permission and safety checklist.

Giving students a short explanation of what they will do at the park before the trip day also reduces uncertainty. Knowing that the courses are set up among the trees, that every participant wears safety equipment and that staff are with them at every step makes it easier for shy students to join in willingly. After the trip, having everyone share their own course experience in a sentence in class rounds off the day nicely.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Forest İstanbul?

Forest İstanbul is on the European side of Istanbul, in the forest area at Kemerburgaz.

Is there an age or height limit at Forest İstanbul?

The age, height and weight rules for the courses are set by the operator. If you tell us your group's age range, we specify the suitable courses in the quote.

What should you wear at the adventure park?

Comfortable sportswear and closed trainers are recommended. As it is a forest area, an extra layer suited to the season is also useful.

How much time is spent at the park?

The programme includes three hours of activity time after arrival. The whole tour takes about five hours.