Through learning traditional / ancestral skills, bushcraft, natural movement and nature awareness your child will gain the skills and experience to feel safe and at home in the wilderness. Each week the children will learn new and different skills from starting fires and cooking on them through to water purification, shelter building, basket weaving, foraging, woodcraft and much more. Children will have plenty of unstructured time to roam free, play and interact with children of all ages like our hunter gatherer ancestors.

Art

• Learning to weave baskets and build shelters provides hands-on experience with natural materials and traditional crafting techniques.
• The natural movement and nature awareness activities can inspire artistic expression through observation of the environment and wildlife.
• Creating and using tools for bushcraft and woodcraft can be a form of functional art and design.

English Language Arts

• Engaging with nature and the wilderness can inspire storytelling and creative writing about survival, adventure, and exploration.
• Exploring traditional skills and ancestral knowledge can lead to research and writing projects about different cultures and historical practices.
• Developing language skills through communication and collaboration with peers during outdoor activities and group projects.

Foreign Language

• Learning about traditional skills and survival techniques in different languages can expand vocabulary and cultural understanding.
• Engaging in outdoor activities can provide opportunities for language immersion and practical application of foreign language skills.

History

• Exploring ancestral skills and traditional practices provides a hands-on understanding of how people lived in the past.
• Studying the historical context and cultural significance of bushcraft and traditional skills can lead to discussions about the evolution of human societies.
• Learning about the history of different natural materials used in the activities, such as wood and plant fibers.

Math

• Measuring and estimating quantities of natural materials for building, foraging, and cooking activities can reinforce mathematical concepts.
• Understanding the principles of fire starting and water purification involves practical applications of chemistry and physics.
• Engaging in navigation and orientation exercises during outdoor activities can reinforce spatial reasoning and geometry skills.

Physical Education

• Developing skills in bushcraft and natural movement can contribute to physical fitness, strength, and coordination.
• Engaging in outdoor activities promotes active lifestyles and overall well-being.
• Participating in unstructured play and interaction with peers enhances social and emotional development.

Science

• Learning about fire starting, water purification, and foraging involves scientific principles related to heat, filtration, and plant identification.
• Understanding the properties of natural materials used in shelter building, basket weaving, and woodcraft can lead to discussions about biology and ecology.
• Observing and interacting with the natural environment fosters curiosity and exploration of ecological systems and wildlife.

Social Studies

• Exploring traditional skills and ancestral knowledge provides insight into different cultural traditions and practices.
• Studying the ways in which hunter-gatherer societies lived and interacted with their environments can lead to discussions about human geography and anthropology.
• Engaging in unstructured play and interaction with peers fosters empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences.

Encourage your child to document their experiences in nature through art, writing, or photography. This can help them reflect on their learning and create a personal connection to the activities. Consider incorporating traditional storytelling or journaling to further explore the cultural and historical aspects of the skills they are learning. Additionally, encourage your child to continue practicing and honing their newfound skills in the wilderness or outdoor settings, providing opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop a deeper connection with nature.

Book Recommendations

• My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George: This classic novel follows a young boy who learns survival skills and lives in the wilderness.
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer: This inspiring true story explores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of a young inventor in rural Africa.
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen: A gripping adventure story about a boy who must rely on his wits and newfound survival skills when stranded in the wilderness.