A new project for next term...

[Tiley]

I am lucky enough to run a bushcraft activity for any children at the school where I work. Inevitably, we cover the good old staples of shelter (mostly tarps but with the occasional natural one), fire (a little limited because of the need to bring in most materials) and learning about cutting tools (saws and knives only; generally, projects have included tent pegs, try sticks, butter spreaders and, last term, spoons with mixed success).

I was wondering if anyone out in the wider world had any ideas or projects that would be good for the next, summer term? In terms of time, we have between 3:30 and 5:20 every Thursday afternoon, so projects can be rolled over from one week to the next. The pupils are between 11 and 13 years old. Any thoughts or ideas will be most gratefully received!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Bowdrill fire starting, natural cordage, plant id, Dutch oven cooking, net making or paracord bracelets.

 

[British Red]

Why not do flint and steel? Cost wise it would be bale of straw and some home made charcloth

 

[Harvestman]

If you have a fixed site that you use, and which is secure, and if fire is a problem, why not construct a semi-permanent hearth for future cooking projects.

Alternatively, basketry and weaving, both for utensils and making hurdles for shelter. Or cordage making. The two sort of go together.

 

[oldtimer]

Many years ago, when Ray Mears was still a little boy and before the boom in bushcrafting or the National Curriculum, I used to run class projects on what came to be called Bushcraft. I got my classes to write letters to the RAF Survival school asking for help and ideas. They were rewarded with aircrew issue pamphlets which gave us plenty of ideas. Maybe some of our members who run bushcraft schools may respond similarly with course material: good advertising and likely future clients amonst pupils and/or their parents.

I used to run a spin off focussing on primitive skills and specialising in primitive pottery. This meant finding, digging and preparing clay, making coil and thumb pots and eventually firing them in a brush fire. High failure rate, but if you believe in process above product, a lot of learning objectives can be covered. (Science, History, Geography, Art etc.)

Good luck with it. As well as kindling fires you are kindling enthusiasm for life-long interest in the natural world.

 

[Tiley]

Many thanks for the suggestions thus far. I have to admit that we already 'do' fire by flint and steel with the associated preparation of tinder bundles, feather sticks and so on. I reckon that the friction side of life would be doable and, if successful, even more satisfying.

Cordage would be a good one, probably starting them with nettles - tea from the leaves and string from the stem. I try my best to get them more competent on plant, especially tree i.d. and run that as a sort of rolling programme at all stages of the year.

The one thing I have noticed is how poor the pupils' hand strength is; so suggestions for things which won't knacker their flimsy paws would be great. That said, indulging in a project which will increase their hand strength would be an even better idea.

Many thanks indeed - please keep the ideas coming!

 

[Kerne]

Hi, Tiley;

I also teach in Glos. and recently did a leatherwork session for the local Woodcraft Folk - also about the same age as your kids. We made key fobs, bracelets and belt hangers. I'm about to go off on holiday but, if you're interested I can give you the details of what I did when I get back. PM me if you're interested.

 

[John Fenna]

Many thanks for the suggestions thus far. I have to admit that we already 'do' fire by flint and steel with the associated preparation of tinder bundles, feather sticks and so on. I reckon that the friction side of life would be doable and, if successful, even more satisfying.

Cordage would be a good one, probably starting them with nettles - tea from the leaves and string from the stem. I try my best to get them more competent on plant, especially tree i.d. and run that as a sort of rolling programme at all stages of the year.

The one thing I have noticed is how poor the pupils' hand strength is; so suggestions for things which won't knacker their flimsy paws would be great. That said, indulging in a project which will increase their hand strength would be an even better idea.

Many thanks indeed - please keep the ideas coming!

With nettles I would note that the tea is better before the plant flowers, the cord better after the plant flowers....

 

[shack]

Tracks and signs, map making and sound maps with charcoal pencils. Animals made and left insitu around the grounds such as big spiders, spider webs or owls or whatever ties in with other stuff, one of my schools is called things like otters, foxes and kingfisher etc.
Keep us posted.

 

[Demonwolf444]

If they haven't tried wild foods ect.. get them some different things to cook up and try?

 

[Ruud]

Basic navigation with map and compass which can be combined with little missions like finding 10 different insects the first, spotting a certain plant the first and so on. And when they get better with the map reading you can also give them coördinates on the spot where they last did a task. I hope you get my point a bit, my native language is Dutch...

 

[Tiley]

Thank you everyone who has sent in an idea. I think I might start with some tree i.d. and their uses as their knowledge of native species is pretty dreadful. Then, on to some of the map-making and navigational projects; I particularly like the idea of a sound map... Wild foods are perhaps a more spring-based activity as the grounds are swamped with ransoms at that time of year. I'll delve further and see what I can find that's edible!

Please keep the suggestions coming - they are all highly valued and interesting. The variety will ensure that the kids can definitely tick the 'spice of life' box!

Thanks again!