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Forest skills activites

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Forest skills

LEARN NEW SKILLS

We are lucky to have a perfect venue to teach primitive bushcraft and forest skills. Set in 150 acres of woodland and greenspace we are also able to venture out and explore the area or stay within the safe environment of Baggeridge Adventure where we can teach skills such as fire making, den building, pioneering, backwood cooking and woodland arts and craft. We also plan to deliver courses to all ages when we get specialists in to teach and inspire. Watch this space.

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Outdoor Learning • Bushcraft • Woodland Adventure

Forest Skills Activities

Our forest skills activities combine practical outdoor learning with adventure, creativity and teamwork. Set within natural woodland, participants learn how to use natural materials, solve problems outdoors and build confidence through hands-on woodland experiences.

🔥

Fire Lighting

Learn safe campfire skills using fire steels, tinder and natural materials.

🌲

Shelter Building

Work together to design and build woodland shelters and dens.

🧭

Navigation

Develop map reading, observation and route-finding skills outdoors.

🍳

Outdoor Cooking

Prepare simple food outdoors while learning teamwork and campcraft.

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Bushcraft Skills

Explore practical survival skills, natural resources and woodland awareness.

🤝

Team Challenges

Build confidence, leadership and communication through forest-based tasks.

Forest skills

OUR APPROACH

Our activities are very interactive, relaxing and informative and we have a dedicated space onsite to deliver our courses. We seek to encourage, motivate, engage and inspire through positive outdoor experiences. It’s not just about the skills, it’s about the environment – active outdoor learning for everyone

 

KEY SKILLS

Our instructors do not profess to be experts but we know enough to ensure that you leave us having had a brilliant time when you have learnt some great new skills and made some new friends. We plan to run overnight courses in the near future when we get the experts in.

PROGRAMMES

Our forest skills can form part of your visit if you are an organisation, just talk to us about what you want when you make your booking. For the general public we will be looking to run forest skill sessions as part of our adventure club programmes. Look out for more info on our events page.

THE CHALLENGES

Can you start a fire from scratch with fire steels and natural resources? Can you build a shelter using natural materials, can you cook a nutritious meal using ingredients and herbs from the forest? Remember we can provide you with help and support, the rest is up too you and your team

 

 

Benefits of Forest Skills and Outdoor Learning

Forest skills activities provide much more than simply learning outdoor techniques. They help develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and communication through practical woodland challenges and hands-on outdoor learning experiences.

For schools, youth groups and organisations, forest skills activities can support personal development, wellbeing, enrichment programmes and curriculum-linked outdoor learning while creating memorable experiences in the natural environment.

🌱 Build Confidence
Forest skills activities encourage participants to tackle new challenges, develop self-belief and gain confidence through practical outdoor experiences. Learning new woodland skills helps individuals discover what they can achieve when they step outside their comfort zone.
🧠 Develop Problem-Solving
Shelter building, bushcraft challenges and navigation exercises require creative thinking and practical problem-solving. Participants learn how to assess situations, make decisions and overcome obstacles effectively.
🤝 Encourage Teamwork
Many forest school activities involve collaboration and teamwork. Working together on shared goals helps participants learn cooperation, trust, leadership and mutual support.
💬 Improve Communication
Outdoor learning naturally encourages communication between participants. Team challenges and woodland activities provide opportunities to practise listening, speaking and leadership skills.
🔥 Learn Practical Skills
Participants can develop practical forest skills including fire lighting, shelter construction, outdoor cooking, navigation and bushcraft techniques that build confidence and self-reliance.
🌳 Connect With Nature
Spending time in woodland environments helps participants develop a stronger appreciation of nature, wildlife and environmental responsibility while enjoying the benefits of being outdoors.
🧭 Grow Independence
Forest skills activities encourage participants to take responsibility, make decisions and solve challenges independently, helping develop resilience and self-reliance.
⭐ Boost Self-Esteem
Completing outdoor challenges and learning new skills creates a sense of achievement that can significantly improve self-esteem and personal confidence.

our testimonials

customers say...

Having worked with this client group personally, I really appreciate the employability courses that you have run and how beneficial they are to to the individuals; the impact has enabled our young people in custody to equip them with the skills to manage their own behaviours when facing a challenge or crisis  Julie Cable - Head of Operations Shaw Trust

Through our Challenge Academy ‘Branching Out’ course students we were able to identify , control and work through the emotions to build resilience. encouraging each other and challenging each other appropriately emotional health of our students, they quickly learned the effect of teamwork in order to achieve successful outcomes and goals  Marc Waters Wheels VLS

The Challenge Academy training and resources were not only a fantastic opportunity for us to develop our own team dynamic through the learning experience, but has provided us with some brilliant and targeted activities that have supported the personal development work we do with young people. The instructor made it interactive and relevant to the aims of our organisation and has enabled us to deliver a more robust service, this will have a direct impact upon the young people that we work with Jonathan Allen -  Phase Trust

Having attended Challenge Academy with 20 Beaver Scouts today I can really recommend the venue and it’s team. All the instructors were attentive, supportive and fun. The activities were well set up, we felt safe and enjoyed the whole day. Our Beavers all went home with big smiles on their faces having achieved much more than they expected. Helen Perks - Beaver Volunteer

What a fantastic place! I would highly recommend Challenge Academy to anyone. Both my kids loved it with so much to do and something for all abilities. The staff are all super welcoming, helpful and friendly. We will definitely be back again. I loved the fact that you could view the kids on all the activities and get pictures. Also handy that the site is dog friendly. Chloe Drew - Facebook Review

The instructors are amazing and so encouraging when you have those occasional ‘I can’t do this’ moments! There are lots of them which means their organisation is second to none, safety is paramount and all this for a fantastically great value price! I didn’t know this place existed but I’ll be spreading the word, Thank you Challenge Academy! Windsor High School

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Forest Skills Activities FAQs

What are forest skills activities?

Forest skills activities are hands-on outdoor learning sessions that help participants develop practical woodland skills such as shelter building, fire lighting, bushcraft, navigation, outdoor cooking and teamwork.

Who are forest skills activities suitable for?

Our forest skills activities are suitable for schools, youth groups, community organisations, families and corporate teams. Sessions can be adapted for different ages, abilities and learning objectives.

Are forest skills activities suitable for school groups?

Yes. Forest skills activities are ideal for schools because they support outdoor learning, confidence building, resilience, teamwork, communication and personal development in a safe woodland environment.

What forest skills activities can participants try?

Activities can include fire lighting, shelter and den building, bushcraft skills, outdoor cooking, woodland navigation, natural crafts, environmental awareness activities and forest-based team challenges.

Do participants need previous outdoor experience?

No previous experience is needed. Our instructors guide participants through each activity, making the sessions accessible, enjoyable and suitable for beginners as well as more confident outdoor learners.

What should participants wear for forest skills activities?

Participants should wear comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for the weather, sturdy footwear and clothing that can get muddy. Waterproofs and warm layers are recommended depending on the season.

Can forest skills be combined with other Challenge Academy activities?

Yes. Forest skills can be combined with high ropes, team building, outdoor adventure and personal development activities to create a bespoke programme for your school, group or organisation.

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Baggeridge Country Park, Gospel End Rd, Sedgley DY3 4HB.

You will find us just below the park tea shop. Park your vehicle, pay for parking and walk down the track.

01902 671072

Office Hours Mon-Fri 0900 - 1600

team@challengeacademy.co.uk