by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Practical skills, Shelter building
We all need shelter whether for ourselves, our imaginary friends or animal kingdom. Our needs are both psychological and practical. Sustainable shelter building is a terrific experience to offer Forest School participants to develop physically, creatively and...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Knots and lashings, Practical skills
Learning a variety of knots/lashings with their applications and ability to be able to successfully tie one thing to another is a fantastic life skill to pass on to all participants (adults included!) at your Forest School. From a simple timber hitch to the more...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Guidance Note, Hand tools, Practical skills
When using hand tools it is important to ensure the work is securely clamped or braced, so that it is not necessary for the tool user (or helper) hands to be close to where the tool action is taking place. It is also important that the work is up off the ground, so...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Guidance Note, Hand tools, Practical skills
It is the Forest School Leader`s responsibility to develop their own tool use to be confident, competent and safe when working with traditional tools and to be able to pass on that knowledge and skill to enable Forest School participants if and when ready, to develop...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Campfire Cooking, Fire lighting and management, Guidance Note, Practical skills
Fires of all different kinds may form part of Forest School provision – all the way from little 5-minutes fires to large-scale roasting fires. They might occur every session, rarely or never. The irregularity of fire use in many Forest School programmes means that...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Fire lighting and management, Practical skills
Birch bark naturally has resinous oils within it, making it a fantastic resource for firelighting. The burning bark is also reasonably effective as an insect repellent. Collection – Birch naturally sheds its outer bark in papery strips. Look for a tree that is...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Fire lighting and management, Practical skills
Forest school largely focusses on developing the individual. This can be achieved through informal activities eg. free play time, or through organised group activities. One example of the latter is group involvement in entertainment around a campfire (with or without...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Fire lighting and management, Practical skills
Man has always had a fascination with fire and a successful safe camp fire can be a fabulous integral feature of your Forest School. Fire will lift your spirits – it`s something primal in all of us; when we see the flickering flames, hear the fire crackle as it...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Craft Skills, Practical skills
Skulk of foxes. Skulk of foxes Difficulty level ; Medium Full instructions- www.kindlingplayandtraining.co.uk/forest-school/skulk-of-foxes-a-whittling-project/ Fungi Difficulty level ; Medium Full...
by Gareth Davies | 2 Mar, 2017 | Activity Idea, Craft Skills, Practical skills
Who doesn’t like mud!?! I sometimes chat about how you make mud and whether soil has clay, or sand or plant matter in it. As soon as the children have started to stir the soil/water I go around and ask to see their hands. They proudly show clean hands and I...
