On Friday 9th July, 53 pupils from Year 3 to 7 travelled to Boughton Woods in Northamptonshire for their residential trip. Prepared for all weather conditions and excited for the adventures to begin we arrived at our tented home for the weekend.

The pupils got stuck in straight away by learning how to create fire by using different materials, this led to the children splitting into their Tribal Groups, collecting wood so that they could build fires to cook their own burgers for lunch. This was followed by a Wilderness Walk, where the pupils learnt about different trees within the wood and how they hold different properties that help when living in the wilderness. After returning to camp, the pupils were instructed in how to build shelters, learning knots such as the bowline and slip knot to help secure the ropes in place. The day ended with chocolate brownies around the campfire and a night under canvas!

A new day dawned which saw the pupils emerge from their tents, ready for the adventures of the day. After a hearty breakfast, they were taught basic first aid. After this, the children watched two of the school staff assist in a demonstration of how to ponasse a salmon. This was later cooked on the fire for lunch. The children then applied their new first aid skills when they came across a downed plane scenario, the pupils worked fantastically well to help `save` the school staff and ensure they survived! In the afternoon, we ventured further away from camp to create survival bracelets, learn how to throw tomahawks (axes) and be archers as good as Robin Hood.

The evening saw each tribe perform their group's routine, which consisted of jokes, magic, dancing, singing and acting - after initial nerves, the pupils surpassed themselves with wonderful imagination.

On Sunday morning the pupils worked together to pack and `leave no trace`. They created mini shelters and learnt about trap building. Following lunch we had the ‘Bushcraft Awards’ and after saying good-bye to the wonderful Bushcraft staff we departed for school. For many this was a change to reflect and chat about the weekend, for others it was a chance to catch up with sleep.

We had some fantastic feed back from Camp Lead Tom:

"All Webber pupils did a really awesome job on their Bushcraft Residential and should be proud of themselves for what they have achieved. To see the older children looking after the smaller ones was really wonderful and they were all fantastic, taking charge when needed and working together instantly without the need for any encouragement, they reassured each other when anyone was sad or homesick and made each other feel very safe and secure. A pleasure to run the camp and would honestly have them all back again."

A huge thank you must go out to the Bushcraft staff, Miss Duff, Mrs Lipinski and Mrs Lee for their wonderful support over the course of the weekend.

Mr Jeacock

Trip Organiser and Year 5 Form Teacher