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




Popular school trip June 2026 !

Crowden Outdoor Education Centre

location icon East Midlands
apple iconCitizenship, Maths, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Environmental Geography, Fieldstudies, Geology, Physical Education, Bushcraft, Watersports, Accommodation Only, Outdoor Learning


In the heart of the Peak District, Crowden Outdoor Educational Centre has been working with schools and youth groups since 1979. Creating bespoke outdoor learning opportunities and utilising the natural environment for a real adventure.

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building at the hive activity centre
Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive
map pin London & South East

Bush craft sessions aim to improve communications skills, resilience and environmental awareness. The activities can include how to safely make and light a fire using natural materials, water...
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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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stone age school workshop demonstration with animal pelts
Stone Age Thrive or Survive Specials - Starring your class, in your school
map pin in-school workshop

When we talk about bushcraft in todays terms what we are really referring to is the skill set that everyone of our ancestors would have needed in order to survive. Our workshops offer a huge array of...
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five children on a giant stand up paddleboard
Arc Adventures
map pin Wales

ARC Adventures offers exciting bushcraft experiences in South Wales, where you can master essential outdoor survival skills. Learn den building and shelter construction, perfect fire-lighting and...
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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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children with safety ropes climbing a tree
Your Isle of Wight Adventure Awaits! with Education Destination
map pin London & South East

We offer 100% bespoke adventure based residentials to the Isle of Wight. We can include transport, accommodation, activities, risk assessments and much more, saving you time and stress! Leave the work to us so you can focus on teaching!
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aerial view of selson farm
Fallow Fields Selson Farm
map pin London & South East

Various bush craft based activities are offered in our specially designed bush craft area, including: Pioneering: Learn knot tying, lashing (tying spars together with rope), whipping (binding the...
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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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Rock UK - Frontier Centre
Rock UK - Frontier Centre
map pin East Midlands

Bushcraft survival skill sessions can either be instructor-led, where we will teach the group to make fires, build shelters and survive in the wild, or teachers can use the grounds of the centre to...
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group of school children team building and problem solving
Onsite School Team Building Days
map pin in-school workshop

Our bushcraft workshop provides a fantastic experience for students to engage in outdoor learning skills from fire lighting, bow drill work, shelter building, water filtration, orienteering 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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Image for a residential school trip at Margam Discovery Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Wales KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Margam Discovery 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. A day filled with team building and problem...
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school group in wet suits with body boards by the sea in Dorset
Land & Wave Adventure School Trips in Dorset
map pin South West

Bushcraft at its most authentic. Fire! Shelter! Feast! Join us in our ancient woodland for an atmospheric Bushcraft session for children and young adults. Children learn essential survival skills...
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children learning to sail in four sailing boats at grafham water
Grafham Water Centre Day Visits
map pin East of England

Discover the thrill of bushcraft at Grafham Water Centre! Young adventurers learn essential survival skills like fire lighting, shelter building, and outdoor cooking-boosting confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection with nature in a fun, hands-on environment.
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Image for a residential school trip at Field Studies Centre Outdoor Activity centre in London KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
London Field Sites
map pin London & South East

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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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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group of school children in the sea at portland outdoor centre
Portland Outdoor Centre
map pin South West

Coastal foraging, fire lighting and cooking are the key ingredients that make up our Bushcraft sessions. Fish prep (gutting and descaling) followed by advanced cooking are additional elements that...
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children learning blindfolded trust exercises
Grafham Water Centre Residentials
map pin East of England

Unleash your inner adventurer at Grafham Water Centre! Learn to build shelters, light fires, and cook in the wild. Bushcraft teaches survival, science, and self-reliance in nature's classroom-perfect for schools, groups, and curious explorers of all ages!
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Image for a residential school trip at Dale Fort Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Pembrokeshire KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Dale Fort 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. A day filled with team building and...
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school children in green canadian canoes
Explore, Challenge and Grow
map pin Wales

We are located within Snowdonia, and in 18 acres of Meadow/Wood Land beside (and with access to) a Lake which we utilise whenever possible. Being in Snowdonia we also have access to the surrounding forests and mountains - with our trained instructors.
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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.

bushcraft course
bushcraft for schools
bushcraft skills
bushcraft lessons

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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