OUTDOOR EVENTS FOR KIDS

WildWise runs 4-day long outdoor camps for children and teenagers during the summer holidays, focusing on bushcraft and nature awareness. The Wild Ones is for 8-12yr olds, and Teen Spirit is for 13-16yr olds.

The Wild Ones is an outdoor adventure holiday that includes a blend of bushcraft (learning the traditional way of making fire, building shelters and making woodland crafts) and fieldcraft (learning the skills to observe wildlife at close quarters) as well as plenty of games in the woods. Everybody can take part in night-walks, dawn-walks and wild food gathering, and traditional storytelling around the campfire provides the perfect replacement for the beloved television set.

Chris Salisbury of WildWise explains - “The children learn how to slow down and become aware of themselves, each other and their surroundings. Bushcraft demands that we pay close attention to the world around us, but despite the challenge nature’s classroom is so much more enjoyable than school. Under our skilled supervision children are motivated to play and learn like we used to as kids. Most of all it gives them a real sense of confidence and a whole new set of skills and meaningful experiences.”

WildWise provides the field equipment for the 4 day trips, supplying everything from the tents to the food. The groups usually consist of up to 16 with a ratio of eight children to one instructor. All our instructors are fully qualified outdoor naturalists with years of experience behind them, and a trained First Aider is always at large, as well as several experienced volunteers. WildWise will advise on a list of what to bring.

Teenagers from 13-16 years are also invited on an experience of the outdoors called ‘Teen Spirit’ held in the summer holidays. Using the four survival elements as a base: fire, water, food and shelter, older children will better appreciate the basic skills of learning to take care of themselves and others.

Chris Salisbury says - “We follow where the children’s interests lie - obviously the younger ones will not be able to manage hard-core survival skills, but certain things appeal to everyone such as mastering the simple, traditional skill of how to start a fire for purifying, cooking or warmth.”

WildWise concentrates on resourcing youngsters so they’re more comfortable with being outside, aiming to help cultivate an interest in anything people take a shine to. On the night-walks the groups watch bats and badgers, which proves thrilling for young children and indeed anyone not used to being outside at night. During the day whilst supervised, children are encouraged to be creative and can learn how to make things that would help them survive outdoors, such as utensils for eating and drinking. They are also set tasks and team challenges, which are both educational and fun.