Summer 2018 Update

After a cold Spring we've had a very hot and dry Summer. In many ways this has been great for our groups undertaking outdoor activities, but the ground is parched and to be honest we could do with some rain!

 Despite the thick stone walls of the building, this year heat has been building up in some of the bedrooms. We've now got oscillating fans for all bedrooms to help keep people cool.

Activity wise we have also made some new developments. One of our favourite areas of woodland has been out of bounds to us over the summer due to felling operations by the Forestry Commission. Instead we've been doing some orienteering and den building in other areas of nearby woodland. We've also developed a Centre grounds orienteering star course that is a good practice for these bigger courses or for use by younger groups and as a quick extra activity.

As well as a very busy Summer running courses at the Centre we have also been into schools. Below are a couple of photos from a day we ran at a school where we worked with the whole school from Reception Class to Year 6. The students participated in team problem solving challenges, orienteering and bushcraft.

 Whilst the reception children were toasting marshmallows the older pupils were fire lighting and cooking dough twist dampers over open fires.

We've added another activity video to our You Tube Chanel - this time a quick look at our archery range - click on link below:

 Archery at DFSC - You Tube video

Summer 2017 Update

Since our last post we've welcomed many more groups of young people to the Centre

 We now have a new sign up in the backyard and it is proving popular as a good place to take a photo of the whole group underneath it. The wild flower roof above is at it's best at the moment!

Also looking good is the wild flower meadow roof on the Garden Room across the road.

The garden itself has had some work done including a new BBQ area and 'Altar' fire pit, that are being regularly enjoyed by groups.

The new fire was used at a recent wedding reception held here

 

Behind the wedding party you can just make out a new willow hedge and archway in the photo below

we have added a few new videos to our You Tube Channel like the one above showing a group doing a stream study

We have also added our first video tour of part of the Centre. The one above showing the lounge, visiting staff kitchen and tuck shop. We hope to add further orientation videos over time.

 

Bushcraft

Last week Dom and Ian went on  a 3-Day Bushcraft Course for Instructors. One of their first tasks was to build a 'debris'shelter to sleep in. It rained quite a bit and the shelters stayed dry!

The next task was to create fire by friction bow drill

 "I have created fire!"

Fresh water was available on the course but they also had a go at digging an 'Indian well' and then filtering the water through a pair of jeans.

"Better boil up that water just in case!"

Dom and Ian learnt a lot of Bushcraft skills on the course that they are now inspired and enthusiastic to share those skills with groups that visit the Centre. Bushcraft is a great activity to engage young people in the oudoors. It has it's own unique pace that provides absorbtion, concentration and committment. It is an excellent way to learn more about the natural environment and interact with it. DFSC is committed to developing bushcraft sessions into our outdoor learning activity programmes and plans to run them initially at cost only to get schools and other organisations inspired. Contact us if you're interested in giving it a go.