Course Overview
TIMINGS: The course runs between 9.30am on Day One to 4pm on Day Three including 2 nights accommodation in shelters built by the Woodland Explorers
Shelter and sleep arrangements – The young people will work in groups of 5-10 (depending on cohort) to build group shelters from branch poles and heavy duty tarpaulins. These will be used for sleeping shelters. We will check shelters for safe construction and weatherproofness ahead of use.
Sharp tool based projects – All projects involving sharp tools will be taught in smaller groups with an adult student ratio of 1:6. Any unsafe behaviour within the group will be immediately intervened, technique and scenario assessed and a safe process agreed before continuation of the project.
Arts and Craft projects – We explore multiple different arts and crafts during the camp experimenting with different natural materials.
Wide games – We play a range of wide games in the woods which involve the young people moving, running and hiding in the woodland setting. The ground is uneven with the natural slopes, roots and rocks within the woods. The young people will sometimes be out of sight but not out of ear shot of the leaders. We teach the children the signal for returning to the centre and they are expected to follow this signal.
Fire – We have a permanent campfire in the eating shelter plus smaller fires are lit by the young people for teaching purposes using various fire lighting techniques (fire steel, flint and steel, friction fire lighting). Fire safety and fire awareness are integral to the teaching.
Social dynamic – Working together is a key element of this camp. We encourage a supportive ‘woodland tribe’ approach to the camp and continually assess and promote positive social dynamic within the group. Please let your child know that we encourage them to share if they are unhappy with anything and we will immediately assist in resolving any issues either privately or as a group (we will seek the most appropriate way to help in discussion with the young person. If we feel it is necessary we will also call the parent/carer to discuss).
Cooking, washing up and kit – The leaders will coordinate all the food and meals. Some campfire cooking projects involve the young people actively cooking their own food on the fire. In the spirit of living as a ‘woodland tribe’ we will support all young people to be responsible for their own washing up, organising and looking after their own kit and sleeping areas. We will always check and support the young people throughout the camp.
We have run Woodland Explorer since 2013. It is a very special camp where we have watched young people grow and thrive in the natural environment of the woods. We are very much looking forward to welcoming your young person to the woods. Ro, Gareth and Debs