Year 5 bushcraft trip
Last week, pupils in Year 5 set off to the woodland of Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire for three days and two nights of camping and bushcraft activities. The children had an amazing time, despite some very wet and windy weather, and managed to spend one night in the bell tents and one night sleeping in shelters they had built themselves. Thankfully, the weather brightened up and all of the planned activities were accomplished before we left.
As well as building shelters, the children learned about first aid, building traps, safe knife skills, starting fires, cooking, conservation and teamwork. Some even learned how to do the washing up! The most important lessons however were the things they didn't realise they were learning: resilience, discipline, problem solving and character. Some were placed firmly outside of their comfort zone but it was a pleasure to watch them overcome their fears and rise to the challenges that they faced.
The Bushcraft Company staff were brilliant at making sure the children had lots of fun, were safe and picked up as many new skills as possible and we look forward to planning next year's camp. Many thanks to Mrs Butterworth and Mr Williams for their help with running the trip.
Matthew Fothergill
Director of Studies, Warminster Prep