If you’re looking to step away from traditional classroom settings and immerse your students in nature, then a forest school trip is the answer. As educators and parents alike recognise the advantages of outdoor learning, forest or bushcraft schools and trips have seen a surge in popularity, giving pupils the chance to foster a deep connection with the environment while developing essential life skills. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable forest school overnight trip with PGL!
What is forest school?
Firstly, let’s explore what exactly forest school is. In short, this is an educational approach that takes place in a natural setting, encouraging students to explore and learn through various hands-on experiences. It focuses on holistic development, emphasising emotional, social, and physical growth. These outdoor activities are child-led and designed to foster curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love for the outdoors from an early age.
The benefits of forest school camps
Forest school camps offer numerous benefits to students, including:
- Enhanced learning
- Improving physical health
- Promoting mental health and wellbeing
- Strengthening social skills
- Building resilience and confidence
Tips for planning the perfect forest school overnight trip
If you’re unsure how to plan the perfect overnight forest school trip for your students, our PGL experts in learning and adventure can help!
With over 65 years of experience organising residential school trips in the UK and abroad, we know a thing or two about creating fun-filled itineraries that spark breakthroughs and leave students amazed. One of our standout offerings is the REACH: MASTER! bushcraft programme, designed to immerse students in the natural world and equip them with essential survival skills.
So, here are some key considerations for planning your forest school overnight trip:
1. Set learning objectives
Before anything else, define the learning objectives for the forest school trip. What skills or knowledge do you want your students to gain? Objectives might include developing survival skills, enhancing teamwork and leadership or simply understanding local flora and fauna – the lessons to be learned outdoors are endless!
2. Pick a destination
Our next tip is to choose a destination that aligns with your learning objectives and offers the necessary facilities. For example, consider the proximity to your school to minimise travel time, the availability of natural features like forests, rivers, or beaches, and the types of accommodation and amenities for a safe overnight stay.
3. Explore travel options
When organising overnight forest school trips, it’s important to plan your travel logistics well in advance. At PGL, we offer the option to arrange coach travel for you, or you can opt to use your own provider. Simply inform us of your preference when making your booking, and we’ll handle the rest, ensuring a smooth journey for your group.
4. Share details with parents
Keep parents informed of all trip details so they know what to expect. Provide a complete itinerary with dates, times, and activities, a packing list with essentials like clothing, sleeping bags, and personal items, emergency contact information and safety protocols, and any required consent forms and medical information for each student.
5. Prioritise safety
Safety is paramount on any school trip. Conduct a risk assessment for all activities, ensure a high adult-to-child ratio for supervision, have first aid kits and trained personnel on hand, and establish clear rules and emergency procedures. By following these steps you will help create a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
6. Create an action-packed itinerary
Finally, having a clear and engaging itinerary keeps students excited and involved during their time at PGL. Our MASTER! trip is 80% bushcraft-focused and 20% adventure activities. With our expertise, we will organise the entire itinerary for your group, tailoring each activity to match the age and ability of your students. This ensures everyone gets the most out of their forest school overnight stay.
For more helpful tips, check out our blog on how to make your overnight school trip a success!
Our forest school activities
To make your next school trip unforgettable, we have an incredible list of forest school activities for your primary or secondary class to get involved in, including:
- Bushcraft: Learn to build shelters from natural materials, light campfires and practice whittling to create useful tools.
- Survivor: Take part in simulated survival scenarios and navigation challenges to foster teamwork and problem-solving.
- Archery: Have fun and skill-building with target practice.
- Hiking and walks: Explore local forests, beaches, or coastal areas to learn about the ecosystem.
- Tree climbing: Safely climb trees to build confidence and physical strength.
- Canoeing: Paddle through rivers or lakes, learning all about water safety and steering techniques.
- Zip wire: An exhilarating activity to boost adrenaline and fun.
- Orienteering: Try map-reading to enhance students’ spatial awareness and teamwork skills.
We offer a variety of programmes tailored for outdoor adventures:
Book a PGL forest school trip today!
Planning a forest school overnight trip involves careful preparation and a focus on creating a safe, educational, and fun experience. By following these tips, you can ensure a memorable adventure for all participants.
If you have any questions about booking overnight forest school trips, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today. They’ll be more than happy to help!
