WILD SCHOOL PROGRAMME
“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education”
– David Polis
event Profile
Dates
APR/may/aug/Oct
price
£38
Location
dARTINGTON
event type
bushcraft days
Age Range
8-12 yrs
Overview
A school like no other.
A school for 8-12 year old wild boys and girls who love days of challenges, skills and adventures.
For kids who love messing about in the woods with sticks, streams, mud, fires and a pinch of danger!
Our Wild School days are a series of varied and exciting bushcraft days – one per school holiday – starting at Easter. Each day will include various activities, drawing upon bushcraft, fieldcraft and nature awareness and include shelter-building, firecraft, campfire cookery, woodcraft, making traditional weapons, natural cordage and weaving, natural remedies, potions and lotions, wildlife identification, tracking & stealth.
Each day will be adapted to suit the age / skills / experience and interests of the children plus the level of challenge adapted so that those who have previously attended can develop and enhance their skills.
Dates: one Wild School day per school holiday starting at Easter.
2025 dates below.
- Tues 8th April (Easter)
- Tues 27th May (spring half-term)
- Tues 19th August (summer)
- Tues 28th October (autumn half-term)
The event usually takes place in the woods at Dartington, near Totnes. However for 28th October, for the finale of the year, we are offering a special canoe day with Chris Salisbury (subject to weather conditions). If the forecast does not support a day on the river we will revert to the woods. Contact us if you have any queries.
What's Included
- Bushcraft activities and instruction
- Outdoor games
- All necessary field equipment
- Nature & wildlife education
- Outdoor time away from devices
- A wild inspiration for change
Essential Information
Leader information and contact details will be confirmed and included in the joining information. Richard Loizou and Molly Simmons often run these events.
- Richard is a qualified Forest School Leader and regularly leads events and camps for WildWise. He has a particular interest working with young people. He also work with adults, facilitating processes with a view to personal and social change. Richard also works at Acorns school in Denbury in Devon. Prior to this Richard was a Land Based Learning Facilitator for Embercombe which included working on week long residential camps with children aged eight to eighteen. Richard’s passions include making things out of reclaimed or natural materials, dancing, cycling and wild swimming.
- Molly is a Level 3 qualified Forest School Teacher who has been hosting her own Forest school workshops across Europe for over nine years. From forest school to nature therapy, map making to hosting treasure hunts Molly has experience across a wide range of settings and client groups including nurturing vulnerable children with challenging behaviours. Molly adores working with the Phenology wheel of the seasons, using the natural world as her guide to nurture wildings in the woods. She has a trained Therapy dog called Orpheus who often comes along with her to her workshops.
10am to 4pm
You will need to bring:
- Warm & waterproof clothing to suit weather conditions
- Packed lunch & drink
- Sturdy footwear – boots or trainers
- Notebook & pen
- Hand sanitiser
Our Wild School days take place on the Dartington estate.
We will confirm the exact location for each Wild School day in the joining instructions which normally get sent out about 7-10 days before the event. The approximate location of the Northwoods site is shown below.
Our 2025 dates are now confirmed so you can book your child’s place instantly online here.
If you any questions however please complete a booking enquiry form here.
CANCELLATIONS:
The event will go ahead come rain or shine. Sorry no refunds or transfers if you are unable to attend.
Please see our terms & conditions for further information.