Swindon council bushcraft course.

[stinkymilo]

I got all excited when I saw sign at Coate water country park advertising a kids bushcraft course over the summer holiday period. So went back home and checked their web site:

http://www.swindon.gov.uk/leisuresport/parksandgardens/rangerevents.htm

It's great to see local authorities running stuff like this for kids but £104 for the course!! I don't think my ankle biters will be attending.
Is it just me being tight or is that rather a lot for a one off session??

 

[JonnyP]

I agree, good on them doing something like that, but it only going to be the rich ones who can afford it. How much are there instructors earning ? It says tools will be provided, I wonder what them tools would be ?....................Jon

 

[Ed]

I suppose it all comes down to funding.... with the prices they are charging I would guess they have no external funding and all costs are being met by course fees.

Down here in south wales where I teach, my job includes sourcing funding from various bodies to subsidise the courses. Thanks to the National Lottery and the European Social fund, we are able to run our wilderness living courses at minimal costs to students (gratis/free to children, youths, retired and unemployed... and £1/hr for those in full time employment.)

There is money out there for projects (especially for children and youths) from many places...... as long as you are willing to put the time and effort into finding the funding..... and get through the mountain of paperwork and red tape.

Ed

 

[useless]

That strikes me as a bit of a farce! Doomed to fail as (surely) they won't get many on it. But they can tick the box to say they offered. Perhaps you should call the rangers and see what's going on. My experience of rangers is that they would love to run such a course, and would be quite desperate for it to be succesful. Perhaps some one in the council has made a mistake with the prices (it has been known!).

 

[stinkymilo]

I know councils will always plead poverty but like Ed says the funding is there for those who are willing to look for it.
Useless, I would like to think that they have made an error, but knowing Swindon council it's probably correct. We pay some of the highest council taxes in the country and get little in return.
It would have been nice for the kids to get outside during the holidays and and do something other than the usual "soccer camp" stuff.
Next time I'm down the park I'll collar one of the rangers and have a chat about it.

ATB

Stinky

 

[fred gordon]

I'm afraid you are wrong Useless. My Ranger Service often offers events that have a bit of Bushcraft in them. Plant ID, Food for Free, What woods were used for, working with school groups about People in the Past, and many more. With Local Authority funding being continually squeezed we all have to justify what we do. Some of our Performance Indicators are based on numbers on events and are constantly monitored by our Political masters. We are also part funded by Scottish Natural Heritage who demand that we produce annual Work Plans that they have to approve. If we were just ticking the boxes we could all stay at home after we had dreamed up the events. Sorry!

 

[Toddy]

I get employed to do courses like these.
The breakdown of costs goes something like this.

10 kids = 3 adults. Basic cost of hiring *specialists* to run workshops is £150 per person per day, I know of some folk who get £250.....Rangers aren't paid pro rata like this unless it's a special invite to an event. So about £450

Public liability insurance £100 for the event

Food and drink for 13 folk at £5 = £65 (okay, that's generous, I know, but within reason)
Transport costs to and from site, and hire of inclement weather provision, £??
Technically, hire of site, might be up to £300.

It all adds up surprisingly quickly.


On the other hand if it's being done entirely in-house; it's a rip off
At this price it sounds more like a bought in provision so it'll need to cover itself. I doubt the Rangers are getting anything out of this but hassle.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Moonraker]

I think you are being a little harsh. The courses offered are not for one day but for 6 X 1 1/2 hour sessions over a six week period. Even at £104 full price that works out at around £11 per hour (about £15 per session). And there are concession tickets also available for a lot less.

Yes, it would be great if they could be provided free/ reduced cost, but those rates are not far off other pastimes. I bet the insurance cost is a sizeable chunk of that.

 

[falcon]

If we look more closely at the duration and costs, they were quoting as follows:
It seems to be 6.30 to 8.00pm for 6 weeks therefore 9 hours in total. Costs seem to vary according to catagories (whatever they are) but presumably the concessions are for students, unemployed etc. Whether it's value for money at up to £17+ per session is, I guess, down to the individual....
Details for Both Courses
Costs:
Category B – 90 Minutes Course Costs
Non Swindon Card - £104.80
Swindon Card - £73.40
Concession 1 - £52.40 – Limit to 3 only
Concession 2 - £26.20 – Limit to 3 only

 

[Toddy]

Join the Scouts; capitation fees and subs throughout the year are very much better value all round when you consider the hours the kids are involved for. It's not a one off thing either since it lasts for years.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[C_Claycomb]

Ha, just come to the Bushmoot Less money, all the skills and more,4-5 days straight.

Two day weekend bushcraft courses run between about £140 and £250. You get more than 9 hours, but you have to fit everything into that single weekend. With 1.5 hours per week, you have time to practice at home inbetween.

 

[Toddy]

[ Ha, just come to the Bushmoot Less money, all the skills and more,4-5 days straight. ]

Now that is value, besides, it's fun!

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[SMARTY]

A bit pricey for 9 hours