Forest School and Bushcraft
Forest School and Bushcraft
Guideposts Forest School and Bushcraft provides a comprehensive outdoor learning experience and opportunities for personal growth.
The service is for children and young people with educational, social, emotional and mental health needs. Sessions are provided both through schools, and directly with Guideposts.
Current Status: Autumn term 2024 is our launch! Please contact us if you would like to join or arrange sessions.
Our new service makes the benefits of Forest School and Bushcraft more accessible to children and young people with additional needs, who may not otherwise engage in outdoor activities and experiences in nature. We provide a safe and supportive environment, with our team adapting activities to each child’s and young person’s specific needs.
We divide the service into two age-groups: Guideposts Forest School for children aged 3-13, and Guideposts Bushcraft for young people aged 14-25.
About Guideposts Forest School (ages 3-13)
Guideposts Forest School encourages children to explore the great outdoors through hands-on play and outdoor learning, concentrating on sensory inputs and allowing them to take risks and build confidence.
Our programme of activities helps children develop greater social skills, independence, problem-solving and imagination, while learning about risks and how to manage them safely.
Who can we support?
Guideposts Forest School supports children aged 3-13 with special educational needs, mild autism, and/or social, emotional and mental health needs.
Our ratio of staff to children is proportionate to need, enabling us to adapt activities to each child’s needs.
What activities are on offer?
We provide pop up classes in schools during school hours, and after school and holiday clubs.
We also organise Family fun day sessions when siblings and parents/carers can also take part, helping to strengthen relationships and the wellbeing of the whole family.
Activities are child led and adult facilitated. Sessions offer a range of fun and learning activities, based on the child’s interests.
A session might include:
- Woodland arts and crafts, eg woodland mobiles and clay tree faces
- Nature walks involving bug hunts and woodland scavenger hunts
- Gardening
- Fire lighting and cooking on campfires
- Shelter building
- Learning new skills such as knot tying and how to use tools safely (bow saws, loppers, palm drills)
About Guideposts Bushcraft (ages 14-25)
Guideposts Bushcraft offers a unique and effective way to engage young people with special educational needs or mental health issues, providing opportunity to gain valuable life skills, personal growth, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
The hands-on, nature-based approach of bushcraft activities provides a unique environment that supports their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Who can we support?
Guideposts Bushcraft supports young people aged 14-25 with special educational needs, mild autism, and/or social, emotional and mental health needs.
Staff ratio is proportionate to need, enabling us to adapt activities to the young person’s individual abilities and interests.
What activities are on offer?
We provide pop up sessions in schools during school hours, and after school. We also deliver outreach sessions in a dedicated outdoor setting.
Activities provide choices and allow for self-paced learning to accommodate different learning styles and needs.
A session might include:
- Fire starting using various methods (e.g., flint and steel, bow drill)
- Building shelters from natural materials
- Water purification and sourcing
- Identifying and preparing wild foods
- Crafting tools and utensils
- Learning knots and lashings
Guideposts Bushcraft sessions promote a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere where positive reinforcement and encouragement are crucial for building confidence and motivation.
All our activities facilitate social interactions with group activities that encourage communication and teamwork, but also allow for individual work for those who may need it.
“C’s speech has really come on since attending Forest School. Please could I share the video you made at Forest School with his Speech & Language Therapist?”
Bring Forest School and Bushcraft to your school
If you would like to enquire about Forest School and Bushcraft sessions for your school please contact Vicky Bond: [email protected].
Sessional fees apply.
Register for Guideposts hosted sessions
Please register your interest in Guideposts Forest School and Bushcraft if you would like to join our sessions, so that we can let you know when the next sessions are available. If you have any questions first, please contact Vicky Bond: [email protected].
