Based on a highly successful blend of nature awareness, bushcraft and storytelling, this course makes the most of a young person’s love of and curiosity for the natural world. The aim is to empower youths with new skills, to deepen their relationship to nature and breed a new confidence to continue to discover it for themselves. Most of all, this programme aims to deliver a hugely enjoyable experience to all.

Bushcraft is the art and science of living from the land. It demands that we open all of our senses to pay the closest attention to the world around us. The activities may include fire by friction, shelter building, woodcraft, plants for food/resources, natural cordage.

Nature awareness is the study of wildlife and the practice of getting really close to it. Using a combination of fieldcraft skills we’ll study tracks and signs, explore sensory awareness activities, and use the dawn and the night to locate and observe wildlife.

Storytelling - traditional tales with a wildlife theme, told around the campfire help to make sense of both the experience of the programme and the natural world around us.

Outcomes - These programmes require youths to respond to a demanding (and enjoyable) sequence of tasks in an unfamiliar setting. The activities can cause breakthrough results in the following areas:

The likely outcomes from participating in such a dynamic interaction with the natural world are an increased enthusiasm, energy and motivation. Most importantly of all, the course is designed to give everyone a really exciting and meaningful time together in nature!

Cost: £195 per head all-inclusive.

WildWise provides all food and field equipment. 2-3 person tents are available for hire at £5/tent per night, if you do not have your own.

Course Leaders - Chris Salisbury and Sebastian Kelly

Chris Salisbury founded WildWise after many years working as an education officer for Devon Wildlife Trust. With a background in the theatre, a training in therapy and a career in environmental education he uses every creative means at his disposal to encourage people to enjoy and value the natural world. He has worked with Ray Mears and John Rhyder, amongst many others.

Sebastian Kelly’s love of the natural world and wild places began in his childhood home of the Lake District. Formerly an education ranger with Exmoor National Park, he has worked on the staff of the ecological studies centre Schumacher College. Sebastian was founder-director of the eco-performance company Restless Natives, and has worked as a conservation warden, walks guide writer, freelance environmental educator, and theatre-in-education practitioner.

"My stroppy teenage son has told all of his friends that it was awesome" - Angela Forbes