Bushcraft group 3

Bushcraft is based on survival skills that would be needed if you were in the wild and had to fend for yourself!  Not that you would have to but  it is a great chance for the children to work together.  The children had to try and create a shelter that they could sleep in over night if they were stranded over night.  One group found it really tricky, however they were very imaginative about what it might look like.  The other group found an excellent place and tried hard to try and create a good resting place.  Once completed, they moved onto trying to start a fire using flint and steel - this took great determination and not to give up.  The instructor started a fire so that the children could try eating dough balls cooked on the fire.  

 

Day Three- Runway, Obstacle Course and Canoe Cookout.

Group One had a quick start to the day, straight from breakfast to the runway. As they were super fast and great at their jobs they each were able to get two goes. The jobs were crucial: security made sure people only approached the tower when asked and were clipped ready to go up the ladder, pulley operators got the equipment back up and step operators got the wire low enough for the pupils to get off. It's a good job Group One are good at following instructions and working together.

Straight after the runway we were given an even bigger group challenge, not just to traverse the obstacle course but to stay attached to a rope while doing so. To make life even harder if we were holding a blue cone we couldn't move, if we held the red cone we couldn't speak. 

Tents

All have settled into where they are sleeping and have unpacked what they need and also trying to find lost things.  It is always interesting to see how they sort themselves out in each tent.  We shall see how this works as we work through the week - it is often the girls who are..........untidy.   

campfire

It was a rather wet campfire and the children got slightly damp.....but soon dried out once we had hot chocolate!  There was some interesting acts as usual but they found it quite hard to try and tell a joke!! There were more stand-up acts which kept everyone happy.  A couple had the idea of playing chubby bunny.......it was funny to see how many marshmallows  some of the children could stuff in their mouths!  

Day Two - Bushcraft and Rafting

I would love to have posted the photos of  the beautiful sun over the lake and delicious breakfast. But after a quiet and restful night we were all just enjoying being by the lake and devices were forgotten. Likewise, at breakfast, I was too busy tucking in to take photos.

Right now all of Group 1 and 2 are fully engaged in building their shelters. I'm amazed at how quickly they picked up the knots with just one quick demo. The weather couldn't be better warm but cloudy, keeping us snug at night.

Team work during the raft building was exceptional, the pass the wet welly race really helped to create a deeper bond. I don't think the children even noticed the rain we had while they were on the lake.

Aerial runway

Excitement was building up as the children got themselves harnessed up for the zip wire. After the safety talk about what to do, the children were raring to get going.  It was amazing to see how everyone was wiling to have a go and try and overcome any fears that they had.  It is certainly a long way up, especially as the ladder seems like it is going on forever.  The view from the top is stunning and a great backdrop to what they are about to do.

Overcoming our Fears

Our instructors are fantastic at explaining how it is ok to be afraid but to also know our limits and to try and go a little past them, taking a tiny step outside our comfort zone. Group 1 really pushed themselves on the King Swing, many of them going as high as they thought was ok but then a little further. All of them said afterwards that they wished they had pushed themselves even further as it was much more fun than they realised. The best part of today was seeing how well everyone helped each other.