Bushcraft sparks new adventures for Year 7

This week, Year 7 pupils from Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls School swapped out their folders for firelighters and rulers for ropes, as they headed off into the woods for a day of intrepid adventure.

In the heart of our Outdoor Education site at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, the day began with a much-anticipated game of ‘rabbits’. Pupils were given the opportunity to run wild throughout the woods, encouraged to duck, roll and hide amongst the foliage to avoid being discovered by our meticulous Outdoor Education staff. While many pupils were eventually caught, a few sneaky rabbits managed to evade the hunt and returned to rapturous applause from their classmates.

‘It’s an opportunity to spend the day outdoors untethered by technology or timetables’, says Beth Smith, director of Outdoor Education, ‘so the day is theirs to make it what they want’. Creativity was certainly encouraged throughout the day, as pupils spent time with their Houses creating elaborate shelters using rope, tarpaulin, and their imaginations! From rope swings to bathrooms made from hollow tree stumps, each House created a shelter as unique and special as its engineers.

With a bit of help from the Outdoor Education team, every pupil mastered the essential skill of any adventurer: fire starting. Armed only with some Vaseline and cotton pads, the woodlands were soon filled with the comforting smell of smoke – and sausages! As one pupil said, the fires were so warm it ‘felt like being at home’. While everyone eventually succeeded, a special shoutout must go to Old Stede House, who managed to light their cotton pads in record time.

Throughout the day, pupils could be seen clambering up trees, assigning tasks between themselves, and confidently presenting their finalised shelters to their peers. Vital lessons in teamwork and risk-taking were allowed to unfold in a natural and entertaining environment, enabling pupils to truly discover themselves. The day was also a great opportunity for the Year 7s to form closer relationships in their new Houses, building trust with one another as they worked together to overcome challenges. ‘If they come away with no bushcraft skills but one friend, that’s what we’re looking for’, says Beth.

With a few bits of rope and tarp, a multitude of adventures can unfold. We would like to say a huge thank you to Berkhamsted’s Outdoor Education Team for yet another successful week of Bushcraft!

If you’d like to discover more about the opportunities we offer at Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls, please come along to our upcoming Open Events on Friday 20 September – booking is essential.