Bushcraft Residential for Year 7

Posted at 11:05 am on 14th July, 2022

Wilderness Survival Training

Year 7 students travelled to Castle Howard in York on 4th July for an exciting two-day residential. 

On arrival, students were welcomed by their Tribe leaders and the action started straight away with each Tribe hiking to their campsite hidden in the deep forests of Castle Howard.

The first task, when arriving at camp, was to build a campfire.  This would be used for warmth, cooking and storytelling - students had to ensure that this was lit throughout their time at camp.

Once the fire was lit students began to build their own shelters.  With only the use of basic materials, students created some amazing shelters which withstood the test of the Camp leaders ‘Storm’ treatment.  Wellacre’s more daring students left the comfort of the camp tents and braved the cold night by sleeping in the shelters they had built.

      

Students took part in first aid and rescue training, which would later help them in the SOS Challenge.  Students arrived at a staged plane crash site to see three injured survivors.   With smoke billowing from the plane and ready to explode,  students had to use their first aid and rescue training to ensure all survivors were extracted from the plane to safety.

During the evening the two tribes came together to hold ‘Tribes got Talent’.  The audience were treated to ‘The Human Pyramid’, ‘A sword battle’ and a musical rendition of a Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa top hit!

As night fell, students toasted marshmallows over the campfire and listened to tales from the Tribe leader.  Students returned to their shelters and tents, ready for a fun packed second day.

The second day started off with breakfast around the campfire.  The first activity was knife skills, which taught the students how to safely use a knife.  They also created tools and materials, which would help them survive out in the wild.

The final activity for each tribe was to build a fire for a BBQ, cooking their own burgers on it for lunch - some of the burgers were, in the students' words, “a little overcooked!”.  After lunch students played survival games while we eagerly awaited our coach trip home.

Zak, Year 7, said:

“I liked Bushcraft because it gave me lots of new experiences.  I had lots of fun with my friends building shelters and playing survival games.‘

Amari, Year 7, added:

“It was a good experience because I was out with my friends doing things that we don’t normally do.”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, said:

“Thank you to the staff who gave their time to accompany students on the Bushcraft adventure. The students all had a brilliant time!”