I am just back from checking on the Yr 7 and their bushcraft weekend. I can report that they are all in excellent spirits and are having a great time.
They arrived about 10.30am yesterday and after camp familiarisation they got straight down to it. Getting into tribes and giving themselves tribe names (The Mafia, The Kangaroos, and the Spartans) they designed and painted tribal flags and colours.
They were then tossed a trout between two and told to cook it (along with sweet potatoes and corn on the cob). Fires were lit (eventually) and they were guided on how to cook the fish. Some were very keen and even ate the eyes!
The afternoon was packed full with expeditions and some first aid training, before hunkering down for the evening. Curry, singing around the camp fire, stories, jokes, marshmallows and hot chocolate, and a cake baked on the fire in front of them – they were having a ball.
They went off to sleep in their shelters and experienced a good night – the odd spider was the only real thing they had to contend with but they were mostly up at first light (5.30am for those of you that don’t see it most days!) I don’t think they will make this mistake again tomorrow morning.
A full English breakfast got them off to a great start. I joined them about 10 am after a morning of navigation. Pacing out distances and locating objects as well as orienteering. They then have to navigate themselves in tribes to the lake. It was a bracing swim but thy accomplished this with gusto and determination. Our Spaniards joined in – a little cooler than the Med!
More games, lunch, and an afternoon of shelter building – if good enough they will be sleeping outside in these tonight. They will be baking their own pizza’s in the camp oven tonight and I suspect it will be an earlier night with lots of sleep.
The weather has been great and special mention must go to Mr Scothern and Miss Skipp who have done a great job supervising it all. The Bushcraft team have done a great job so far. Expect some children smelling of smoke, exhausted, but who will have had a great time.
Return time 6pm at school on Sunday.
SCN
Posted on
Sat, May 14, 2011
by SCN