Smore time at Boarfold Scout Campsite

Smore time at Boarfold Scout Campsite

 

Wildcraft

The ‘Wildcraft’ game is a Minecraft related game but set in the real world, in fresh air, with actual other people!  This is a great way to play, burn some energy, and make some new friends.   

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The Game

It is a team-based scavenger hunt that uses elements from the Minecraft game to enhance the experience with point scoring, trading and making along the way.  The children will work in teams or clans after they’ve been given a mission from their tribe elders to explore the ‘Boarfoald’ biome.   Clans will need to look closely at the natural environment to learn if there are valuable resources to be found and find such things as wild plants, insects or mosses. As well as discovering the natural world around them, they will need to communicate, strategise and negotiate both within their team and with other teams.  Ultimately, the team with the most points will win the quest.  There are no prizes - we just emphasise good sportsmanship and everyone having a good time.

Ideally, 16 to 20 children will participate so that each game has four teams of about four or five.  They can then come with a friend or rustle up a whole team!  Children can also come on their own and enjoy playing with others and perhaps make some new friends.

The game itself will last until lunchtime, and then the children can choose other activities for the afternoon.  Please note that these activities may involve some tool use and/or cooking on a campfire.  All such activities will require instruction and will be supervised (see our Risk Assessments in the Important Information section for more information.

 

Some questions answered

FAQs


 

How much does it cost?

Cost is £30 per child.   

What age is this day suitable for?

Suitable for children from ages 8 to 12 yrs (upper Y3 to lower Y7). We cannot, as yet, take children under 8 years of age.

How do I book and pay?

Please use the online booking and payment form on the events page. If you have any questions then please email flintfox.forestschool@gmail.com

Can I turn up on the day?

Sorry – this isn’t possible as we have to be strict with numbers.

What does my child need?

·         Packed lunch, drink and snacks.   Water and squash are available.

·         Appropriate clothing and footwear

·         Any emergency medication that is needed.  Sun screen if weather is good.

More details about this are under the What to bring section further on.

Are there toilets and hand washing facilities available?

There are toilets and sinks in the scout base which children may use.  We will also have a ‘tippy-tap’ hand washer, soap and paper towels and hand sanitiser available. 

What are the times?

Drop off is between 8.45am and 9am and pick up is between 3.30pm and 4pm.

What happens if I have to cancel or the session has to be cancelled by you?

If we cancel, at any time, then you will be offered the choice of an alternative date or a refund.  If you cancel, a full week in advance, then you will be offered an alternative date. If you cancel, with under a week’s notice, then we regret that we cannot offer alternative dates. (Ref:Terms and Conditions - cancellations and refunds)

How do you ensure safety?

We have strict safety and conduct rules and routines which need to be followed. (Ref: Risk Assessment -welfare and emergency protocols & Terms and conditions -conduct)

How do I let you know about my child’s medical/behaviour/socialising needs?

Please inform us on the booking form if there are any issues we need to be made aware of such as medical conditions, mobility issues, allergies, learning or processing difficulties.  This will help us ensure that the session is right for your child.  Children with additional needs may need additional support which we may or may not be able to provide, so please just give us a call to discuss. We cannot administer medicines such as antibiotics/Calpol and would ask that children have their scheduled doses before and after sessions. We will supervise your child if they require to take asthma inhalers or other emergency medicine. (Ref: Safeguarding/medicines)

 If there is any situation which requires explanation or demonstration, then please contact us before the day to discuss.  If you would like to discuss anything else with us, you are more than welcome to do so at drop off.  If you’re worried about friendship issues or making friends, let us know.  We really want your child to be happy at our sessions. 

Where is the site?

We run our sessions at Boarfold Scout Camp.   You can have a look at it on boarfoldscoutcamp.co.uk.

The address is: Far Woodseats Lane, Chisworth, Charlesworth, Derbyshire SK13 5RS

It could be quite easy to miss the turning for the lane if you’re not familiar with it.  We will put up a Flintfox logo sign to help you find it.  If you are approaching from the Glossop direction, it is on the right of Marple Road almost opposite Sandy Lane.  If you’re approaching from the Marple side, it is on the left of Glossop Road.

PLEASE NOTE: PROCEED WITH CAUTION DOWN THE LANE AS IT IS A NARROW, ONE TRACK, GRAVEL ROAD WITH VERY FEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PASSING. There is a small car park at the site which may be used for drop off and collection.  We would ask parents/carers to be mindful of pedestrians and children in the car park and on the lane.

As it is a GM Scout campsite, there will be other users of Boarfold on the day. Please allow time to negotiate the lane.

What To Bring

‘Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.’

 

 What clothing does my child need?

The clothing list below is not prescriptive and it is entirely your choice what to wear, but do bear in mind that your child will be outside all day in all weathers and temperatures. When children get wet, they get cold. When they get cold, they get miserable. If your child is showing signs of distress because of this we will ring you and ask that you provide alternative clothing. (Safeguarding/Terms and conditions)

Cold/wet weather:

Footwear: waterproof boots/wellies (slippery when wet underfoot and keep feet cold. Best to have lots of insulation such as insoles or fluffy socks). Try not to wear trainers - they allow feet to get wet and cold

Body wear: waterproof trousers and jacket over warm clothes (waterproof trousers really help to reduce wet and cold)

Accessories: hat, waterproof gloves, mittens, scarf/snood

Warm/dry weather

Footwear: boots/trainers

Bodywear: lightweight long trousers (preferable to shorts as they protect legs from falls, sun, stings etc); long sleeved top (preferable to T-shirt as it protects arms from falls, sun, stings etc); fleece

Accessories: sun hat & glasses; suncream

Extras: small towel and spare socks/gloves

If you can, please pack some spare clothes in a bag, particularly if you don’t have waterproofs.   Your children will probably tell you that you are fussing and that no one else will have spares, or even a bag, but we know from experience that being cold and wet for a few hours is miserable and can be avoided. 

What food should my child bring?

Due to the number of children with allergies, particular diets or preferences, we don’t provide lunch, so children need to come with a packed lunch.  They get really hungry as they’re using up a lot of energy, particularly in the cold weather. We will always have water and fruit available, and biscuits (vegetarian/ vegan) or packets of raisins are available as a trading choice during the game. Please let us know of specific dietary requirements on the booking form.  If your child needs a special type of biscuit, then it would be helpful if could you provide us with one or two of them.

In the afternoon, children may choose to do simple campfire cooking.  This may be something simple like smores, baked banana and chocolate, bannock bread and jam.

Can my child bring their mobile phone?

There is no need for children to have phones as we will ring you should there be a problem.  Another reason for not having phones is for safeguarding issues.  We will only take pictures of those children who have consent for photos, however children are not aware of the consent issue and may take and share pictures of others without consent.  Perhaps the best reason for not having a phone is that the whole point of the day is to give children an opportunity to be happy just by interacting with each other.  Children may bring their phones, but only if absolutely necessary; furthermore, they must be kept in their bags and are not to be used during the day.  If phones are brought to the site, then we are not responsible for any damage to them or any loss of them.  (Ref: Safeguarding policy/phones)

Details of what happens and when

Structure of the day

Some children (and parents) like to know what to expect from the day so here’s a run down of our plans. Please note that timings are very approximate,apart from the start and finish.

9.00 – 9.10 Introductions 

9.10 – 9.30 Safety briefing and housekeeping, tour of site, toilets

9.30 – 9.45 Icebreaker game

9.45 – 10.00 Team allocation and game rules explained

10.00 – Let the game commence!

11.15 – Pause the game – drink and snack, ‘defrag’

11.30 – Game part 2

12.45/1.00 – Wind up game, gather resources

1.15 – Lunch time break, share experiences and calculate points. 

1.45 – Start afternoon activities – craft, minecraft-related craft, bushcraft-type activities, free play, campfire cooking

3.00 – Gather resources, group games

3.30 – 4.00 - Pick up time

important information

In a nutshell …

 

There’s a lot to digest in the Important Information section.   Here’s a handy ‘in a nutshell’ run down on the main points.  

·         Make sure your children are prepared for a whole day outside and that they have the appropriate clothing and food. (Ref:Safeguarding/clothing)

·         We won’t accept behaviour that puts others’ well-being or safety at risk. (Ref:Terms & Conditions/conduct)

·         Emergency meds only please (no antibiotic courses/calpol).  (Ref:Terms & Conditions/medicines)

·         Uncollected children – no pick-up and no contact from parents or carers for an hour will result in phone calls to emergency services. (Ref:Safeguarding/uncollected children)

·         Children can’t use their mobile phones in sessions. (Ref:Safeguarding/mobiles phone use)

·         We won’t pass on your details to anyone unless requested by emergency services.  The website uses cookies.  (Ref: Privacy policy)

·         If we cancel, at any time, then you will be offered the choice of an alternative date or a refund.  If you cancel, a full week or more in advance, then you will be offered an alternative date. If you cancel, with under a week’s notice, then we regret that we cannot offer alternative dates. (Ref: Terms and Conditions/Cancellations and Refunds)