The Bushcraft School

INSPIRE.

ENCOURAGE.

EDUCATE.

The Bushcraft School, an integral part of Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft, seamlessly integrates its expertise in outdoor education with the national curriculum. Our dedicated team combines a deep understanding of bushcraft skills with a passion for fostering holistic learning experiences. Through hands-on activities and immersive outdoor adventures, we strive to enhance students’ practical skills, resilience, and environmental awareness. By intertwining our outdoor expertise with the national curriculum, we create a dynamic educational platform that not only equips students with essential survival skills but also enriches their overall academic journey. At Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft, we believe in the transformative power of nature-based education, ensuring students are well-prepared for both the challenges of the wilderness and the demands of the classroom.

What is Bushcraft

Bushcraft is a term that refers to the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the natural environment. It encompasses a wide range of outdoor skills and practices, emphasizing self-reliance and the ability to live comfortably with minimal equipment. The primary focus of bushcraft is on using resources found in the natural environment to meet basic survival needs, such as shelter, water, fire, and food. Bushcraft is often associated with outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and those who have a keen interest in connecting with nature and honing traditional skills. It’s a holistic approach to outdoor living that promotes a deep understanding of the environment and the ability to adapt and thrive in various wilderness scenarios.

Bushcraft and the National Curriculum

Bushcraft plays a vital role in linking outdoor education with the national curriculum, offering a hands-on and experiential approach to learning. By integrating bushcraft skills into the curriculum, educators provide students with opportunities to connect with nature, fostering a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. Practical activities such as shelter-building, firecraft, and navigation become valuable tools for teaching subjects like science, geography, and environmental studies. This integration not only aligns with educational objectives but also promotes the development of crucial life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and self-reliance. By incorporating bushcraft into the national curriculum, educators create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that goes beyond traditional classroom settings, encouraging students to explore, discover, and develop a meaningful relationship with the natural world.

Bushcraft skills include but are not limited to:

Shelter Building: Constructing temporary shelters using natural materials, such as branches, leaves, and other found objects.
Firecraft: Starting and maintaining fires using various methods, such as friction fire (bow drill, hand drill), flint and steel, or other fire-starting tools.
Water Sourcing and Purification: Finding and collecting water from natural sources, as well as purifying water to make it safe for consumption.
Navigation: Using natural navigation methods, such as reading the sun, stars, and landmarks, as well as using basic maps and compass skills.
Wilderness First Aid: Basic knowledge of first aid in outdoor settings, including treating injuries and dealing with common outdoor ailments.
Foraging and Wild Edibles: Identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible plants and other wild resources.
Tool Use and Craftsmanship: Making and using simple tools from natural materials, such as carving wooden implements or fashioning cordage from plants.
Camp Cooking: Cooking meals using minimal equipment and foraging for ingredients in the surrounding environment.

What we offer

A full-year or term program (Usually 1 or 2 days a week)
One-off Day visits (e.g. Start of Term induction, summer term Transition days)
Residential trips – Mainland England and abroad
Specialist topic days (e.g. Stunning Starts, Marvelous Middles, Fabulous Finishes)
Onsite delivery
Comprehensive planning

Who we work with

Schools – Primary and secondary
Specialist schools
Alternative education settings
Scouts
Cubs
Guides
Beavers

Our Bushcraft awards scheme

We are particularly proud of our Bushcraft awards scheme, which we deliver to a variety of schools and other organizations. For each school, we construct a bespoke plan designed around your timetable and needs. We cater for special requests for ‘One-off topic days’ – recent examples of which include, ‘The Great Fire of London’ and ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’.

Our education team creates a cross-curricula plan that meets objectives within the EYFS and National Curriculum Framework KS1-4, and IPC. We focus on a greener way of living as well as promoting a better understanding of the natural world. Our Bushcraft program is designed to be progressive, and delivery is adapted for each year group, outlined in our in-depth planning.