Year 8 swapped their classrooms for the great outdoors at Castle Howard during Active Learning Week. From 13 July to 17 July 2026, Year 8 students took part in a five-day outdoor residential trip. The experience, provided by The Bushcraft Company, took place in the historic woodlands of Castle Howard. To manage the large cohort, staff split the year group into two separate camps. Each camp occupied its own self-contained space, complete with a central yurt and a main fire pit. Within these camps, students formed smaller "tribes" to navigate the week, bond with peers, and develop new wilderness skills.

A Jam-Packed Wilderness Itinerary

The five-day programme tested the students' resilience and resourcefulness with a range of hands-on woodland challenges:

• Day 1 (Arrival and Camp Setup): After a safety briefing, students learnt the basics of camouflage and concealment. They spent the afternoon building wild shelters and mastering fire lighting before dinner and evening games.
• Day 2 (Craft and Survival): Focus shifted to tool safety, paracord bracelet craft, and navigation. Students also completed wilderness first aid training before a dusk walk.
• Day 3 (Tracking and Foraging): Tribes learnt animal identification and tracking techniques, followed by water purification. The highlight of the day was salmon ponassing (cooking fish over an open fire) alongside clay creations and a mock "Scenario SOS" rescue challenge.
• Day 4 (Target Sports and Showdown): Students tried target sports and mastered wilderness cookery and natural cordage. After a welcome shower, the evening featured the popular "Tribes Got Talent" competition.
• Day 5 (The Final Challenge): On the final morning, students learnt trap making and faced the ultimate "Bushcraft Challenge" before they struck camp, ensured they left no trace, and began the journey home.

Inspired by Expert Leadership

The success of the residential was down to the instruction of the Bushcraft Company leaders. Their energy and expertise inspired the students to step outside their comfort zones, try unfamiliar tasks, and work as cohesive teams.

Mrs Baker, Year 8 Progress Leader, praised the impact of the trip:

"This week was a triumph for our students. Seeing them step away from screens to build shelters, cook over open fires, and collaborate in their tribes was fantastic. The Bushcraft Company staff made the experience special. They inspired confidence in every child, and the growth we saw in our pupils over five days is immense."

The Year 8 residential proved to be a week of teamwork, new skills, and lasting memories, setting a high standard for future Active Learning Week adventures.