5 daring children have taken the risk to attempt a survival weekend at the Hazelhut.
The experience today included learning about shelter. First the children learned to put up their own tents, cooperating with each other to ensure that the night would be safe warm and dry.
They set up a hygiene area, where they could wash their hands and keep dirty items away from wildlife.
Then they foraged for some energy full snacks to keep them going.
The next priority was fuel and fire. We walked around the woodlands looking for wood to burn. Some needed to be chopped for kindling and James taught the children how to baton it to make smaller pieces.
The fire was up and running in time for lunch - hot wraps with cheese and ham.
After lunch the children learned how to make a basic shelter in a situation with only natural materials, using a tree and one large branch as a lean to. All of the kids tried it out and by the end they reckoned they would be happy enough to spend the night in it!
Later we did some more foraging for herbs which could help to keep the body safe in a survival setting such as nettles for the liver and kidneys, malva for stomach problems, chickweed for iron and mint for flavour and circulation.
We each made our own mix for tea.
In the afternoon we had our first injury - a hornet sting! But it didn't put this Hazelhutter off having fun.
We picked chestnuts and prepared them for the afternoon snack.
In the evening we enjoyed the last of the sun's warmth around the camp fire singing songs and chatting.
Then the children cooked their dinner - turkey skewers, sausages, foil baked potatoes and everyone's favourite: marshmallows!
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