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Here’s how to run your own
castaway children’s party at Wilderness Wood.
You can of course add to these suggestions, but they are useful
guidelines.
N.B. CAMPFIRES ONLY ALLOWED WITH WILDERNESS WOOD STAFF.
WHAT IS IT?
An expedition into the wood to build simple shelters from branches,
sticks and leaves. Take a picnic birthday lunch or tea to enjoy in your
shelter. Suggested length of time 1½ hours activity including the
picnic, extended up to 2½ hour party if you want to barbecue and/or use
the play area. Anytime between 10am and 5.30pm.
HOW MUCH? £5.00, plus admission:
For 15 or more pre-booked people, group rates: adults £3.05 and children
(3-15) £1.85. For fewer people, usual admission prices: adult £3.40 and
children £2.05. 2 adults + 2 children £9.70. To pre-book, click
here for
children’s groups booking form.
HOW MANY PEOPLE?
For everyone’s safety and your sanity, don’t have more than 15 children.
Increasing the number of adult ‘helpers’ doesn’t make larger parties
easier, it just means more people to organise! Three adults including
you is the minimum.
FOR WHAT AGE CHILDREN?
We recommend a minimum age of six. Camp building can be dangerous, and
you need to know the children will respond when you warn them of risks.
There is no upper age limit – teenagers can also enjoy the activity.
WHERE?
You will be recommended a site on your arrival – it will be marked on a
map for you. The site will be no more than 10 mins walk from the barn,
car park and toilets.
WHAT TO WEAR
Rough clothes are essential. You will all get dirty! Long trousers
advisable, to avoid scratches. Sensible shoes. In wet weather,
waterproofs and wellies are essential.
WHAT IF IT’S WET?
If the forecast is for is for continuous or heavy rain, you may cancel
by 10am of the day of the visit, with full refund on your deposit. Light
rain or showers just make shelter-building more realistic! We can lend
you one or two polythene sheets to build into the shelters if it’s
really wet.
WHAT TO BRING
A mobile phone, with our number in it, in case of emergency. A small
first aid kit for any grazes and stings. Name labels for children,
unless all adults know all children. Garden string (not
plastic kind) and a penknife for
supporting poles during construction.
A picnic – don’t make it too elaborate, and plenty of water. Please bring food that will
generate the least possible amount of rubbish, e.g. use a bottle of
squash and cups rather than cartons or ‘fruit shoots’. You must take all
your rubbish home with you. Recycling bins at the entrance. A cake in
the woods is great: don’t forget candles, matches and a knife.
WHAT ABOUT COOKING?
Unlike a staff-led castaway, we cannot allow you to light fires in the
woods. You may barbecue (subject to availability) back at the barn area,
after your shelter building. You could leave an adult to organise this
so food is cooked on your return.
HOW DO I ORGANISE THE SHELTER BUILDING?
1 Before you set off into the wood, let the children know what to expect
– shelter-building using natural materials and a picnic in the woods.
Make sure they know your name. Let them know your behaviour expections:
not to run ahead – they are likely to trip and they may get lost; to
listen carefully to your safety instructions as what they will be doing
can be dangerous. There are no toilets in the wood, so recommend a visit
before you set off.
2 Decide whether to build one large shelter or two (two is better if
more than 10 children). Divide into teams if required.
3 Walk together to the designated site. Put all bags down in one place.
4 Tell the children:
a) they can build camps using any loose material on the ground such as
branches, poles and leaves. No pulling bracken or green leaves off trees
– it’s very easy to get deep cuts.
b) to be very careful moving sticks near other people.
c) to build near the bags (so you can keep an eye on everyone).
d) to use the trees as a starting point – they won’t fall over.
e) design suggestions – teepee, ridge tent, flat roofed.
f) to get building! Allow 40- 60 minutes for this.
5 You will need to work out and build basic structure with the children,
at least younger ones.
6 Ensure structures are safe – string is not load-bearing and ridge
poles need to be supported by forked sticks.
7 Suggest embellishments – seats, a flag, some natural ‘bunting’ to
decorate the area, a look-out tower, secret doors, camp signs using
charcoal…. Charcoal can also be used for face painting. It does wash
out! If you have spare water, you could test the camps for
waterproofness….
8 Have your picnic! Telling jokes or stories is a good way of keeping
everyone together at this point.
9 Pack up, congratulate your teams on a job well done. Take away
absolutely all your rubbish. Don’t leave anything other than string at
the site.
10 Tell the children they must stay behind you on the way back so they
don’t get lost or run over. This is especially important near the yard –
the roads don’t look like roads and children are tempted to make a dash
for the play area.
Enjoy your barbecue if you are having one, & treat yourself to a cup of
tea!
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