Bushcraft Update. Dear Parent

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1 Bushcraft Update Dear Parent I write to you with an update to our trip planned for the week of 27 th June 2016 to 1 st July Planning is well underway with currently around 125 Hazeley Students and 14 staff eager to take part in a wide range of fun activities. As a reminder, students will participate in a series of interactive workshops and activities throughout the week, which will encourage your son/daughter to work together towards the same goals. This is a fantastic chance for students to build positive relationships with their classmates and learn the importance of communication and consideration for others. A draft programme is attached to give you some idea of what students will be participating in. * Note there may be some minor changes nearer the time. The Trip Timing Transport timing and arrangements will be given nearer the date. Payment Please ensure you make all final payments are made before 15 th April Tribes and location The course is being held in Cornbury Park on the Bushcraft Woodland Estate near Oxford, where the students will spend five days exploring the acres of woodland, and staying overnight in a selection of bell tents and shelters they will build themselves. On arrival the students will be split into tribes, made up of between 10 and 15 students and assigned a tribe leader who will take care of them for the duration of their stay. Kit In preparation for the trip, we also need to ensure everyone has the necessary items needed for their stay in the woods. Please expect that items will get muddy and dirty during the week therefore collecting old clothing now is recommended rather than purchasing new expensive kit. It s advisable to ensure that clothing and equipment is labelled so anything lost can be returned. Students will require a sleeping bag, cushion, a roll mat, torch, appropriate footwear, waterproof jacket, clothing suitable for activities and a change of warm clothes for the evening.

2 Our Recommended kit list ESSENTIALS: Large rucksack (or alternative bag/suitcase) Small rucksack for daytime away from camp Warm sleeping bag (season 3) Roll mat and sleeping cushion. Tracksuit/hard-wearing trousers T-shirts Warm jumpers/fleece Waterproof jacket and trousers Warm socks and underwear Footwear (2 pairs e.g. walking boots, old trainers) Swimwear & suitable swimming footwear (e.g. old trainers) Water bottle Wash bag including toothbrush, toothpaste, face wipes and Towel(s) Good torch with fresh batteries and spare batteries Insect repellent Alcohol Hand Gel OPTIONAL: Sleeping bag liner Pillow Pyjamas Whistle WEATHER DEPENDENT: Wellington boots Warm hat and gloves Sun cream Sun hat Suppliers If you do need to buy items at a reasonable price, you could try these websites: and On Site Food We kindly ask that students do not bring any sweets or snacks into camp, particularly those containing nuts. Money We will be onsite the whole time. We will not be visiting any shops so we do not recommend bringing any money as this could be very easily lost in the woods. There will be plenty of snacks available during the day. Contact There is limited Wi-Fi/phone signal and no guarantee can be given for this therefore we advise that no electronic equipment, such as mobile phones are taken. We cannot guarantee their security while in the woods. Update of Activities During the trip we aim to post regular updates of the Bushcraft activities to our website, including photos so keep looking!

3 Medical/Emergencies If there have been any changes to your son/daughters medical conditions since you originally completed the paperwork, it is important to let us know what it is - please contact us. Contact details If you have changed your contact details, mobile or home number please advise. Activities We are all looking forward to this five day residential adventure. It is a great opportunity for everyone to try new things and to experience a wide range of activities. This could be anything from fire-lighting to shelter-building, orienteering and archery, as well as learning how to cook their own meals from fresh, exciting ingredients to exploring all of the different trees and plants within the woodland. I am sure that whether they are following animal tracks through the forest, sharing haunches of roast venison around the fire, or performing in the Bushcraft trademark talent competition, students will be buzzing from the adventure of living in the wild and return to school with new energy, confidence character and creativity. I shall be in touch nearer the time of departure with specific details and arrangements. In the meantime if you have any questions or need any further information please contact me mhalward@thehazleyacademy.com Yours sincerely Mr M Halward Trip Organiser

4 Day One Day Two 10:00 Arrive 08:00 Breakfast Welcome and safety brief Introduction to Bushcraft Our instructors will discuss the key elements of Bushcraft and explain what the students can realistically achieve living in the wild. Camp-craft The students will have the chance to really make their camp area their own and develop a tribe identity. They will spend time building a seating area, wood-store, and making tribal flags and necklaces. Wilderness First Aid Workshop The students will learn basic skills to cope with a medical emergency in the wild, including how to construct a simple stretcher from the items you have on you, and how to improvise an effective splint. Fire Workshop Students will learn why fire is necessary in a survival scenario, as well as numerous methods of lighting a fire, both ancient and modern. Each tribe will then collect firewood and light fires using flint and steel. 13:00 Lunch 13:00 Lunch Shelter-building The students will learn why we need shelter when we are living outside, and the types of shelter people from different societies, nationalities and places have used across the ages. Each tribe will then build their own shelter, using natural materials from around the woodland. Cutting Tools Lecture Students will learn about the different types of tools used in the field of Bushcraft, both primitive and modern, and the reasons for their use. They will be taught safe handling techniques, helping them to understand how to manage risk effectively. Wilderness Cookery We will show the students how to manage a fire safely and responsibly and how to cook a simple, delicious meal of fresh trout, corn on the cob and roast bananas, over the fire they have built. Wilderness Trail On the wilderness trail, the students will work through a series of observation lanes, sand pits and sensory games and learn how to recognise animal tracks, enhancing their sensory skills and having fun at the same time. 19:00 Supper 19:00 Supper

5 Day Three Day Four 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 Breakfast Archery The students will learn a little history about this ancient sport. They will then be taught basic archery techniques and how to handle equipment safely and responsibly before competing in a minitournament. Pizza Kitchen The students will design their own pizzas using tonnes of different ingredients and use our outdoor pizza oven for a fun, delicious supper. Water Lecture The students will learn how to recognise dehydration, and the effects it can have on the body. They will be shown how to collect, filter and purify water in a remote environment, using various methods. Camouflage and Concealment Exercise Students will take part in a fun camouflage and concealment exercise, employing team tactics and making the most of their surroundings to camouflage themselves and evade capture. 13:00 Lunch 13:00 Lunch Fresh-water Swimming The students will navigate from camp and locate our stunning fresh-water lake where they will be able to swim, play games, and relax on the banks of the lake with their friends. Tracking Workshop The students will be taught how to identify animal tracks and other signs of disturbance, and how to categorise animals by the way they move. They will also learn how to move silently whilst stalking, and the art of camouflage and concealment. Scenario SOS The students will put all of their new skills to the test and work in teams to complete a scenario based activity set up in our woodlands. This scenario will call on their navigation, first aid and general bushcraft skills in order to complete all stages of this activity. Tribes Got Talent This is a fantastic way to spend the final evening, participating in our trademark talent competition, in which each tribe performs a skit, dance or song which they will have been practicing all week. All of the students enjoy themselves and it is always brilliantly amusing, and at times, astonishing, as the students show off their skills. 19:00 Supper 19:00 Supper

6 Day Five Learning Outcomes 08:00 Frontiersman s Breakfast Students will learn: Wild Food Workshop Students will learn about the different methods of hunting and trapping used in the wilderness and by primitive communities. Bushcraft Tournament The tribes will compete in a series of fun but challenging initiative exercises and games which demand team work and communication from the students. 13:00 Lunch Leave No Trace The students will learn the importance of leaving their environment as they found it, and understand the impacts human activity can have on the natural landscape. They will be asked to strike camp and return their team camp areas to their natural state. 15:00 Depart How to conduct themselves safely and responsibly in an outdoor environment To generate and contribute to a sense of team identity To work as part of a team towards a shared goal To be proactive and to make individual contributions to group activities To develop confidence in unfamiliar surroundings To react positively to new experiences and to share these with their peers Where food comes from and to make informed choices about diet and lifestyle To think creatively about their surroundings To develop a greater understanding of the natural British landscape How to ensure that their presence in the woodland leaves minimum impact on the environment National Curriculum Links PSHE: 1.2.a; 1.3.a.c; 1.4.b; 2.1.b; 2.2.a.c.e; 2.3.a.b.c; 3.b.f.g.h. Geography: 2.1.a; 4.a.b.f. PE: 1.1.c.d; 2.2.d; 3.e; 4.d. Science: 3.4.c; 4.e.