Woodland Explorer Week Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th August 2014

Each day will involve a mix of activities with a break for a morning drink and snack, lunch and afternoon drink and snack.

The areas of activities covered include:

Fire Lighting: We will learn a range of different fire lighting techniques - without matches! This will include friction fire lighting with a bow drill, fire steels and maybe even using the sun if we’re lucky with the weather! We will experiment with a variety of natural tinders. Participants will learn about the safe use of fire and good fire camp craft.

Greenwood carving: We will work on a mix of projects and be led by the participants. Projects may include mallets, bows and arrows, butter knives, walking sticks, tent pegs.

Tracking: Learning the basics of tracking animals. We will learn to identify prints, droppings and other signs such as hair, teeth marks, burrows of the common animals found in our woodlands.

Nature Awareness: Deepen connections with nature using awareness games, barefoot walking and good old chilling out leaning against a tree.

Arts and Crafts: A variety of projects including natural cordage, willow weaving and charcoal drawing.

Nature ID: With the aim of being able to identify a broad range of trees and plants found in British woodland along with their uses and folklore.

Shelter Building: Learn various different shelter designs and techniques. These sessions will include basic knots.

Campfire Cooking: Over the week we will make lots of different campfire treats to keep us sustained!

Charcoal Making: We will carry out a barrel burn to make the charcoal to cook our Thursday night dinner on. We’ll also make our own artist charcoal.

Games and storytelling: Lots of games to support everything we’re learning and just to have fun and a run-around. Storytelling around the campfire.

VENUE: Common Wood, Windermere. Grid Reference: SD 418 992

The wood is part of The National Trust St Catherine’s Estate and lies 1km north-east from Windermere station. Full details of drop and pick up points will be sent out in the week prior to the course.

Course fee includes the overnight camp for the child and parent/ carer on Thursday night
£200 /child (or 1st child in sibling group)
£175 (2nd sibling)
£150 (additional siblings)

Children will be guaranteed to leave with a smile on their face and a smell of wood smoke in their hair.

Shared experiences with new friends

Run by experienced tutors from Woodmatters in Partnership with The National Trust