Bushcraft Courses for Schools

Bushcraft, Wilderness and Survival Lessons

PlanMySchoolTrip

Bushcraft is an exciting and engaging way for UK school children to learn about the natural world and develop important outdoor skills.

Quite a few of the outdoor adventure companies we work with have started adding bushcraft options to their school trip itineraries. Together with specialist bushcraft companies, they are making a great case for the teaching of sustainability and nature awareness courses.

From constructing simple shelters using only natural materials found in the local environment, to starting fires without matches or lighters, and even foraging to identify edible wild plants. In our modern age, we face an growing disconnect from our natural environment. Learning practical survival skills through Bushcraft is a great way for young people to reconnect with the environment. Or, take a look at our Forest School page if you are looking to give children an immersive connection with nature.

Speaking to some of the experts who have designed and run these outdoor bushcraft courses, we love what they have to offer school groups, and are keen to share them with you. We can offer you courses up and down the country, suitable for any key stage, from half day experiences to multi day adventures. We can even send bushcraft specialists to your school to teach your children on the school grounds. Take a look below or get in contact with us for more information.

Children living in urban areas often have very little contact with the great outdoors. Our woodlands and hills, rivers and streams are not part of their daily life, and many kids are completely detached from the natural world. Traditional residential activity holidays are great for getting school kids out in the fresh air, getting muddy, but a new breed of outdoor adventure trips are gaining serious momentum - the bushcraft trip - life without technology!

Want to book Bushcraft trips and workshops?

Let us find the Bushcraft adventure experience for your school trip




summer school trip giveaway competition

Win a Bushcraft residential with The Bushcraft Company

Win an adventurous 2 day Bushcraft Company residential for 40 students and 4 teachers. Adventure, teamwork, and real outdoor skills make this an experience your students will never forget! For over 15 years, The Bushcraft Company has delivered outcome driven 1 to 5 day residentials for over 40,000 students across the UK, inspiring curiosity, resilience, and a deeper connection to nature through real outdoor adventure.

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child on a zip line
Bentley Copse Activity Centre
map pin London & South East

Small group bushcraft sessions teach safety around fire and tools. Your students will light their own fires, pop some popcorn or make a refreshing hot drink. Our woodland environment is idea for quiet bushcraft sessions among the trees.
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Edgmond Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning
Edgmond Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning
map pin West Midlands

Our bushcraft sessions immerse pupils in hands?on outdoor learning that builds confidence, teamwork and a deep connection with the natural environment. Children learn essential woodland skills...
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accommodation at cumulus outdoors
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage
map pin South West

Our exciting Bushcraft sessions and challenges are geared to help you get back to basics whilst also enjoying the natural environment. Using our own woodland sites at our tented villages and at our...
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YHA building
YHA Malham
map pin Yorkshire

Set in the heart of a beautiful Yorkshire Dales village, YHA Malham is perfectly placed for exploring the spectacular Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar.
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Image for a residential school trip at New Forest Activities Outdoor Activity centre in Hampshire KS2 KS3
New Forest Activities
map pin London & South East

Bushcraft and camp skills with New Forest Activities are all about learning to be equipped and comfortable outdoors in an interesting and hands-on way. This could be anything from building shelters...
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Image for outdoor education trip residential KS2 KS3 KS4
Cumulus Outdoors Curriculum Day Trips
map pin South West

Our exciting Bushcraft sessions and challenges are geared to help you get back to basics whilst also enjoying the natural environment. Using our own woodland sites in the Isle of Purbeck our school...
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Image for a residential school trip at Slapton Ley Field Centre Activities Outdoor Activity centre in Hampshire KS2 KS3
Slapton Ley Field Centre
map pin South West

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs. A day filled with team building, navigation skills...
> read

logo for education destination
Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

Bushcraft is a set of skills that can help you survive in the wilderness. It includes things like finding food and water, building shelter, and making fire. Bushcraft can be a lot of fun, and it's...
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YHA Edale Activity Centre
YHA Edale Activity Centre
map pin East Midlands

Outdoor adventures in the Peak District don't get better than this! YHA Edale Activity Centre is a grand country house literally on the slopes of Kinder Scout, and surrounded by the gorgeous scenery of the valley.
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Rock climbing at Conway Centres Anglesey
Conway Centres Anglesey
map pin Wales

The aim is to help equip young people with the physical and mental skills to survive in the natural modern world. Each session aims to encourage young people to embrace nature, whilst cooperating and...
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Children climbing at Calvert Devon
Calvert Devon
map pin South West

Bushcraft is an activity that unleashes creativity and resourcefulness in the great outdoors. Whether carving tools from branches, hunting for wild edibles, or crafting cosy shelters, it's an...
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aerial view of towers active learning centre
The Towers Active Learning Centre
map pin Wales

The Towers Active Learning Centre in Snowdonia stands as an exceptional destination for students interested in bushcraft, offering an immersive and picturesque setting that is ideal for honing outdoor...
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Image for a residential school trip at Preston Montford Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Shropshire KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Nettlecombe Court Field Centre
map pin South West

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs. A day filled with team building and problem...
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big school camp equipment
Big School Camp North
map pin North East, North West, Yorkshire

1. Big School Camp have qualified bushcraft instructors who understand that the skills are not only for use in a survival situation but have real practical value. 2. The skills are presented in a way...
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Gorge walking at Plas Gwynant OEC
Plas Gwynant Outdoor Education Centre
map pin Wales

In our bushcraft area we look at the ways that fires can be created, and we build dens and shelters in the woodland. We'll link the activities to your chosen aims and outcomes and mastery of the environment!
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Image for a residential school trip at Rhyd-y-creuau Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Conwy KS2 KS3
Rhyd-y-creuau Field Centre
map pin Wales

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs, and spend a day filled with team building and...
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school group carrying surf boards to the sea in Devon
Skern Adventure Appledore: Day Visits
map pin South West

Bushcraft at Skern Adventure Appledore gives young people the opportunity to develop essential outdoor survival skills through hands-on learning in a real environment. From lighting campfires and...
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gorge walking school group
CMC Adventure
map pin Wales

We run Wilderness Skills activities where you will learn how to filter water from a stream, make fires safely using flint and steel, build suitable shelters for surviving in the wilderness as well as enjoying a hot chocolate from the water collected!
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high ropes adventure course
School Day Trips
map pin South West

Providing skills from fire lighting to orienteering. Highlighting the importance of shared learning and environmental awareness.
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child on a crate stacking activity
Walton Firs Activity Centre
map pin London & South East

Walton Firs Activity Centre offers a growing curriculum of bushcraft-based activities, from taster sessions for the inexperienced, through to specialist weekend survival experiences! Please contact us for more information, or visit our website.
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So what is Bushcraft?

A bushcraft school trip is primarily designed to get children out of the classroom and into the wild (or as wild as we get in the UK), for a true nature experience. By the end of the course, especially if you are giving them a multi day experience, your school group will have a better understanding of our natural environment, and the children will have gained some practical and valuable outdoor skills. The type of knowledge that would have been commonplace to among our ancestors, but which many of us would now struggle with.

The typical school bushcraft trip will be aimed at beginners, giving everyone a chance to try lots of fun and challenging activities. Pupils will be taught how to safely enjoy a range of outdoor crafts, including camping and survival. Specific topics will include foraging for food, food preparation – build an open fire to keep you warm and to fill your tummies by cooking fish or meat, shelter building – guess where you are sleeping tonight! Learn to make a safe and secure shelter to keep you dry and warm, sourcing and filtering water, making tools out of natural materials, identifying plants and trees, tracking and navigation skills, crafts and much more.

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bushcraft for schools
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Stone Age bushcraft

Looking for something a bit different? Our friends at The Stone Age Company offer multi day residentials in woodland locations, or short day and half day courses at your school, suitable for and tailored to all key stages. Get hands on with cave art, fat lamps and stone tools in this incredible stone age experience – feedback from teachers who have been on this courses is extremely enthusiastic! Read more about this one here: Stone Age Bushcraft Course




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Woodland Activity Days Proving Popular at Oaker Wood

A school residential or activity day at Oaker Wood gives children the opportunity to develop valuable life skills while enjoying the great outdoors. From learning practical survival techniques to gaining a deeper...

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