Two hands planting a small tree in the ground, surrounded by soil, twigs, and roots.

Teacher Training

Learn the skills to deliver progressive, outdoor learning.

Our approach to staff training is designed to be logical, cost effective, and sufficiently detailed to equip staff to provide great quality outdoor learning.

We believe there’s no such things as one-size-fits-all, as each school has different needs and a different setting.

Group of people gathered around a campfire in the woods, some sitting and some standing, with logs and firewood nearby, dressed in winter outdoor clothing.

Our three step pathway to high quality outdoor learning.

We offer a three step pathway to train staff to learn the principles and value of outdoor learning through bushcraft, as well as teaching all of the skills required, and offering rewarding and challenging off site trips which further their development.

Our solution covers all topics from basic introduction, through safety and risk assessing, and on to delivering sessions which benefit personal growth, mental health, resilience, independence, and an appreciation of the great outdoors.

Step 1: Day Workshop

Our first step is a one day workshop for all staff who want to deliver outdoor sessions. We’ll cover the key topics with a well rounded balance of theory and hands on skills.

- The principles of bushcraft.
- Risk vs Reward - a brief overview of the benefits of outdoor learning.
- Written and dynamic risk assessments - what’s required and when.
- The basics - site selection, fire safety, firelighting skills.
- Campfire activities for students - basic recipes, tasks, and outcomes.
- Simple shelters - ideal for building on-site where there may not be many natural options.
- Equipment - key pieces of equipment that each school should look to acquire.

Step 2 - Overnight Camp

Our second step is an overnight camp at our camp location.
Staff will be invited for a 2 day bushcraft and outdoor learning trip, where we’ll cover some of the step 1 subjects in more detail, and introduce more advanced skills and learning. This is the next level up in terms of skill and challenge.

- Mental Health - activities which incorporate mental wellbeing and basic mental health first aid.
- Advanced shelter building - natural materials, woodland shelters and camp skills.
- Advanced fire lighting - Using primitive methods like iron pyrite to make fire.
- Cutting tools - knife laws, safe practice, and when to introduce cutting tools for your groups.
- Camp cooking - more ideas which can be cooked over an open fire with students.
- Team tasks - a selection of exercises designed to push students whilst still on/ around the school site. The tasks require creativity, problem solving, resourcefulness, teamwork and leadership.
- Basic wild foods, cordage, and camp craft

Step 3 : Expedition Challenge

The third step in the programme is designed to be both a challenge and a reward. It’s an opportunity for staff to put in to practice all of the skills they’ve learned, as well as taking them to a remote and beautiful area. This phase is a 3 day and 2 night camp in a mountainous area of the UK.

- 3 days and 2 nights in a remote area and away from civilisation - no electricity, no toilet blocks.
- Sleeping in shelters in the woodlands, or if the weather is bad, the first night will be spent in a bothy.
Tents will not be taken on the trip.
- An introduction to foraging - the risks, and how to view the outdoors as a wonderful resource.
- Staff will be self sufficient, carrying their equipment and supplies and hiking between the 2 camps. They’ll also take turns navigating from point to point.
The Lead Instructor will oversee the route finding and safety of the group, and be with them at all times.
During the trip, the staff will also be taught more advanced skills, and be able to test themselves.
Whilst hiking and in camp, the Instructors will cover the principles of Leave No Trace, and lead a recap on all of the skills and lessons learned through the previous stages of the course.
The challenge will finish with a debrief and a hearty meal to celebrate.

Why choose Campfire for your staff training?

Forest School Level 1 is around £100 per teacher, Level 2 is around £400-£660 per teacher, and Level 3 Forest School Leader is around £900-£1,100 per teacher. Our 3 step programme costs significantly less.
We can look at designated outdoor spaces on school grounds and work around what’s available. We can also broaden the scope of what’s covered, such as mental health, foraging, first aid, mindfulness, butchery, navigation, and so on.
Bushcraft and outdoor learning is a vast subject, and we can work around the underlying aims of your school, and further normalise students spending time outdoors.
Once staff have completed their training, there will no longer be a need to hire in extra freelance instructors to help deliver bushcraft on site. More staff will be trained up, so outdoor sessions can have a wider reach, across more subjects, for greater student numbers.