Children's Bushcraft

[Tony]

I've been looking about for information on bushcraft for Children and there's hardly anything that's orientated around the younger generation, the future generation of bushcrafters.

So, I want some help from you lot to compile a list of activities, with descriptions as appropriate, of activities for kids. Feel free to list obvious things as well as more abstract and I would like everything you can think of, this is the opportunity for a huge brainstorm ):

The activities can be practical and theoretical, interactive or presentational...Whatever, as long as it's orientated around younger people.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions and I'll compile them into a resource that we can all use.

Cheers

[jakunen]

Hi Tone,

One thing that I was looking at doing at the meet in August, but with the woods being invaded by the aliens it never happened - kids gotta love them, was some plantlore related stuff - spelling bees with plant names, plant lore A-Z, plantlore treasure hunt/orienteering.

May be next year...

[TheViking]

I believe all bushcraft activities is for kids, but my gues is that you mean the very youngest... :-) How about?

Woodcarving
Kit introduction
Tying knots and hitches
Stalking
Fire making (with firesteel)
Looking after the land and leaving no trace. (that's kinda compulsory)

[jamesdevine]

For an aid with the youngsters try Winnie the Pooh. With shelter building, tracking, trapping and exploration following in the foot steps of pooh and friends is allot fun even for the bigger kids and allows allot of room for the use of the imagination.

Kids of all ages don't like long lectures so following the scout model of learning by doing, passing on knowledge by telling stories around the camp fire and allowing them the freedom to explore the world themselves is all good.

Also you should always try to create an atmosphere were it is OK to ask questions. It really helps everyone both teacher and student.

Just my thoughts
James

[steve a]

Tony, have a look here,under factsheets there are plenty of idea's on activities aimed at the younger person, idea's on tracking games, fire lighting,map work, etc.
Some are ok to be used as they are, some could be adapted.
http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/index.htm

[TheViking]

Great link steve a. :-) To make it easier i will link directly to the topics if that's OK.

Training Aids
Mapping
Lashings
Hiking
Simple Knots
Compass
Basic Cooking
Fire Lighting
Use of Axes and Saws

[Rob Hofman]

Hi,

I am doing a lot of bushcraft togheter with my son Willem, just two weeks ago i made him a bowdrill set with wich he managed to make an ember. The drill was made of willow and the board was made of clematis. Willem is just 9 years old and a very proud bushcrafter.

He likes most Bushcraft activities but his favorites are making fires / fishing and eating fish and building shelters. Next week we are going to Sweden togheter for a two weeks bushcraft holiday . I think its very inportant to spent time with your children and the best time is time spend in the bush togheter .

Cheers Rob

[JFW]

Nice one Rob,

I couldn't agree more about the best time spent with my kids is in the woods.
My daughter is 6.5 and my son is 3.5 and they both love going out for a day of bushcraft - shelter building and fishing followed by a nice brew up on the fire. My daughter has tried the bowdrill but does not yet have enough coordination to get an ember, we will continue to improve our technique until she is successful. My son justs wants to rest in the shelter and cut things with a knife, just like daddy. I whittled him a wooden knife shape just so he can be like his dad - the best type of admiration. He will get his own knife in a few years, my daughter will probably get an No. 6 Opinel this summer.

Cheers

JFW

[MartiniDave]

Michael, my 13 year old, is now coming along nicely. I got him a GB pocket/mini axe for christmas (Woodlore were doing them cheap) which he adores, and I've passed him down a frosts training knife, which he has learnt to sharpen very well indeed.

So far he's had the odd nick when using the knife, the axe he is very careful with and so far has only dinged his knickles on the chopping block!

He now wants to do some training, but being a big 13 year old he is in a sort of limbo where he is mentally and physically able to do a lot of the things he wants to, but a lot of the schools have a minimum age of 18 for doing anything involving cutting (insurance I imagine). So its now down to me to pass on what I can, as soon as I feel competent to teach him.

At least it gives us some quality outdoors time together.

Dave

[spamel]

I think that that is great as most kids turn thirteen and turn into Kevins!! A mutual interest with your children is the way ahead, which is why I try to hide my daughters barbie dolls and get them interested in bushcraft!!

Jo'anne, our eldest at 4.5, had her friends around yesterday. They're twin girls of the same age, and one of them asked what was in my small ammo box. Well, this is where I store my spare amadou and charcloth, so I showed them. I showed them how to make an ember with the processed flint and amadou, and as it was a very sunny day, I got the magnifying glass out and amazed them with that aswell!! Now I'm just waiting on my traditional fire steel from Jason to show them real magic!!

Spamel

[Danceswithhelicopters]

My mother-in-law, having found a new Swiss boyfriend, allowed me to find an interesting Swiss Army knife when we were visiting. It is a childs specific version with a blunt tip, but sharpish blade, can/bottle opener, sawblade, and screwdriver. I gave it to my 7 year old with a short ceremony about being careful with emphasis on being reponsible and trustworthy. He is allowed to carry it when we go out otherwise it lives in the 'kit' chest. I don't think I saw a prouder boy. Don't tell his mum though...
I haven't seen them in the UK.

[I_WILL_SURVIVE]

[Hollis]

I agree, Great photos, what a wonderful time.

Thank you for sharing your daughters Birthday with us.

[abushcrafter]

Michael, my 13 year old, is now coming along nicely. I got him a GB pocket/mini axe for christmas (Woodlore were doing them cheap) which he adores, and I've passed him down a frosts training knife, which he has learnt to sharpen very well indeed.

So far he's had the odd nick when using the knife, the axe he is very careful with and so far has only dinged his knickles on the chopping block!

He now wants to do some training, but being a big 13 year old he is in a sort of limbo where he is mentally and physically able to do a lot of the things he wants to, but a lot of the schools have a minimum age of 18 for doing anything involving cutting (insurance I imagine). So its now down to me to pass on what I can, as soon as I feel competent to teach him.

At least it gives us some quality outdoors time together.

Dave

hi dave I'm 12 (at the monent) and this is my 1st post

i'm suprised you've been to Woodlore and you havent looked at the Junior Fundamental Bushcraft ? you don't need to be 18 to use a knife I'm going in 2008 and I plan to write a review.

links

http://www.raymears.com/courses.cfm?id=364

http://www.rosshome.dsl.pipex.com/AlexanderRoss.htm me website still in develoment on content
THIS IS A OLD LINK PLEASE SEE THIS ONE --> http://www.rosshome.dsl.pipex.com/abushcrafter

[WERDNA]

my daughter is 5 and she is also eager to get hold of my knife, she tells me she will be carfull with it, i tell maybee when shes 12,the idea about carving one is great i will try that, she has her own hammock in the back garden tied to a tre and a fence post, she loves it

[hanzo]

If you don't mind me saying so...BRILLIANT!

[ecoman]

hi all, weve been taking our kids wild camping since they were 3 and 5.
each year, we go on a week long "expedition" to somewhere remote. so far, its been vermont in the states, wales, and the last 2 years in scotland (islay and loch hourn) this year we are taking another 2 families canoing into loch hourn and we will wild camp our way around.
the kids have always loved it and can do far more than adults give them credit for. they were walking 6-10 miles per day in the highlands and living off ration packs and foraged food for a week.
they are now 6 + 8 and have both owned opinel knives for the last 2 years. the smaller version has a butter knife shape, so is good for carving and whittling, and for meal times. with its rounded tip, we dont have to worry about stab wounds, which are the ones to worry about. they have each cut themselves once or twice (and not bad at all) and are now very skilled and careful. they can both light a fire with a steel and know the basics of survival... clean water, shelter, fire. they carry a "junior" psk with them whenever we go hiking which includes a whistle, a fire starter kit, water purifier tablets and a safety pin with some fishing line... as well as their knife. they have little rucksacks so as not to hurt their backs, and are expected to look after their basic kit... water bottle, psk, mosi net, rain layer and fleece plus a bit of a ration kit depending on how remote we are... biscuits and pate.
this year, as i said, we have 2 other families coming, its so nice to see people getting interested in these skills again.

thanks for keeping this thread sticky over the years.
m

[crazydave]

having seen a 4 year old indian child look after a toddler not much younger while gutting and cooking fish for sale by the side of a busy road then I have to say that its never too early to throw of the PC culture and expose your kids to real life. they'll burn them selves and cut their hands many times but the lessons get learnt early on and they respect fire and sharp things far better than the rest of society.

[Greenpete]

I know of a couple of bush craft schools that do family camps. They are linked to this forum/site but I can point them out if any one would like me too?
Pete

[silvergirl]

just thought I'd stick my tupence worth in. I was out in the woods learning for myself when i was four. My daughter who is now four spent her first night sleeping out when she was 4months old. In the spring they go and find their own salad from the woods at the bottom of the garden and i've taken them mushroom hunting since my son was 2 ( he is very sensible though)

I have worked for many years as a countryside ranger and have run nature clubs for children from the age of 5 up. There has never been a topic that I felt couldn't be incorporated somewhere ( with parental permission).

I ran a survival camp looking at traditional woodcraft and foraging skills for 5-10year old a few years ago and they all loved it there was not on of them that did not keep there attention for the whole thing. The key is to give them some resposibility and keep them busy.

I also run a girlguide unit. All the guides are into firelighting, cooking on open fires and surrvival techniques. My only problem has been other guiders who have said things like, well we don't want to encourage them to play with knives do we! ( no we want to teach them to use them correctly!!)

Hope this helps.

[Siecroz]

Here's the beginnings of Bushcraft for my Little ones. My Boy (Taylor, 4) and I spent the afternoon in Salcey Forrest near Northampton.. looking at bugs in his "Bug Collector", and collecting leaves in a "Leaf Bag" that I downloaded from the links at the start of this thread.
Its quite good as it has pictures of the different leaves on the bag so he could pick them up off the floor, learn what they are and keep them. I am planning to do some rubbings with him tomorrow for a daytime activity before I go back to work on Thursday (boo).
My Little Girl (Sammy, 18months) was happy just to get muddy and kick leaves about

[Willowbark]

Excellent thread!
Can I go a little off track here? My son is 9 in a couple of weeks and I was thinking of a bushcrafty theme for his pressies. Any suggestions for things that should be in his first kit? I have a few ideas already, but would love to hear from others who have had successes (or otherwise) with kit for kids.

Thanks in anticipation

WB

[Toddy]

Excellent thread!
Can I go a little off track here? My son is 9 in a couple of weeks and I was thinking of a bushcrafty theme for his pressies. Any suggestions for things that should be in his first kit? I have a few ideas already, but would love to hear from others who have had successes (or otherwise) with kit for kids.

Thanks in anticipation

WB

Aside from the usual suspects, can I suggest a small pointing trowel? It's useful for digging roots and tubers, scat holes and prying up up things for a look see, it'll make a great job of tidying up after a fire but it's also excellent for peeling off bark far more safely than a knife is. And..... if you get it right, it can be used with a firesteel too
Cheers,
Toddy

[JohnC]

Excellent thread!
Can I go a little off track here? My son is 9 in a couple of weeks and I was thinking of a bushcrafty theme for his pressies. Any suggestions for things that should be in his first kit? I have a few ideas already, but would love to hear from others who have had successes (or otherwise) with kit for kids.

Thanks in anticipation

WB

A decent daysack, book of knots,

[bushcraftbeginer]

hi every one my name is leon and i am 14 years old i realy want to get into bushcraft but i dont know how so could anyone please give me some info on how to start ps what equipment do i need to get into bushcraft
many thanks leon

[Pipistrelle]

just thought I'd stick my tupence worth in. I was out in the woods learning for myself when i was four. My daughter who is now four spent her first night sleeping out when she was 4months old. In the spring they go and find their own salad from the woods at the bottom of the garden and i've taken them mushroom hunting since my son was 2 ( he is very sensible though)

I have worked for many years as a countryside ranger and have run nature clubs for children from the age of 5 up. There has never been a topic that I felt couldn't be incorporated somewhere ( with parental permission).

I ran a survival camp looking at traditional woodcraft and foraging skills for 5-10year old a few years ago and they all loved it there was not on of them that did not keep there attention for the whole thing. The key is to give them some resposibility and keep them busy.

I also run a girlguide unit. All the guides are into firelighting, cooking on open fires and surrvival techniques. My only problem has been other guiders who have said things like, well we don't want to encourage them to play with knives do we! ( no we want to teach them to use them correctly!!)

Hope this helps.

I agree totally, adults tend to forget that children learn everything by experiencing it, If your sole knowledge of knives is taught to you by TV or the big kid up the road you will learn that knives can kill, and probably where to put them to make them work. If your learning starts with the knife as a tool then you learn responsibly, carefully in supportive environments and drawing blood is the very last thing you want to do (as it will probably be your own).

I was demo-ing whistles from elder when I took my knife out (a kelem otter (with a sub 3 inch blade)) and one of the people watching said "you could kill someone with that" i played dumb and said I have never seen a whistle kill anyone yet.
People laughed but a serious disussion ensued, at which i pointed out the correct handling of a blade and the care i take of it and how sharp it is, and how much it cost (and that is my cheapest knife) and why i needed it that shape. Surprisingly the individual, never batted an eyelid when five minutes before I had been splitting logs to make spoons with an axe , I feel the media have made a monster of the knife. Well you know what they say the pen is mightier ..... best we start with the more dangerous of tools, its only prioritizing after all.

Incidentally the Kellem otter is a great starter knife, small blade, easy to care for, nice sheath, big handle (and its only bad point is that the handle is symmetrical). If I had kids of my own they would use one.

[Nyayo]

Hey all - I've now been running a Bushcraft Club at school (only open to 10-12 yr olds) for 6 weeks. We've done a blindfold 'follow the string' course as the first session (soon sortd out those who like mud etc., and those who'd rather actually do 'Bushcraft' in the classroom), searched the school grounds for edible plants, done a survival Treasure Hunt and built and tested out atl-atls. Knives have been a no-no (although we've discussed kinfe safety and looked at my Swedish Taljkniv) as have fires (although we have played with flint & steel and bow-drills).

No hassle from parents either about mud/wet/ danger.

N

[Fallow Way]

One of the main attractions for my in Bushcraft when I first started is that I wanted to have something to pass onto my children one day.

I am currently training to become a "Forest School" Practitioner (which is mentioned around the site in various places). Although this employs bushcraft as a means of child development (although there seems to be a lot of "Bushcraft for Kids" being passed off as Forest Schools) it is not the primary goal to have them learn knots, tool use, fire craft, more, it is a tool through which they can develop. Seeing them learning about nature and gaining new skills are equally rewarding though.

The school and children with whom I am running a pilot project just can not get enough. They are quite surprised that there is value in itself for the children to play free in a wood and learn these skills. Then when you show them the accelerated learning techniques and profiling and development of the children it really strikes and cord and I believe Forest Schools will over the next few years really start to bring Bushcraft topics into the schools.

[Nyayo]

Hey - I'm going on a Forest school session tomorrow! The problem here is the lack of 'forest'! While 'moor school' or 'boggy mountain school' wouls also be cool, the shelter building opportunities are less and the 'kids lost in snowdrift' headlines are more likely!

While I've tried to explain to the acting head that teaching kids to make fire using a bowdrill does not 'invite arson' (!?) we still operate under a total knife/axe/fire ban. That hasn't yet stopped us having a go at bowdrills/firesteels/tinder etc., just without making an actual fire.

I think most people think you mean 'gigantic bonfire' rather than 'small cooking fire'.

Anyway - good luck with the Forest school training- keep us posted how you get on!

N

[BOD]

While I've tried to explain to the acting head that teaching kids to make fire using a bowdrill does not 'invite arson' (!?) we still operate under a total knife/axe/fire ban. That hasn't yet stopped us having a go at bowdrills/firesteels/tinder etc., just without making an actual fire.

N

So you stop just short of getting a ember?

Who said there is no smoke without fire

Have you been given a chance to demonstrate the bow drill to them or do they think they know what you mean