Swainswick Explorers... rediscovering outdoor play

Explorer Dates

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000Z

Dear Parents
Here are the dates for Explorer Days in the holidays and other dates:
February half term, Monday 17th through to Friday 17th Feb, 10am - 4pm. Drop off and pick up at our place in Upper Swainswick.
Special Explorer Days - Inset day childcare cover:
These days coincide with INSET days at a particular school. We start and finish the walk at your school. We meet outside the school, at a safe and appropriate place, and do not go onto the school site at all that day. Please enquire if you want us to do similar for you.
Friday 3rd Feb and Mon 16th April, 9am - 3pm, Combe Down Primary, with drop off and pick up outside the school.
Monday 20th Feb, King Edward's Schools, 9am - 3pm, with drop off and pick up outside the Junior School. FULL.
Monday 16th April, Inset Day Cover for Oldfield Juniors Primary school, with drop off and pick up in Swainswick.
Easter holiday dates:
TBC but we expect to do at least one full week and some additional days will be Explorer Days with drop off and pick up at the Paragon school.

Swainswick Explorer Open Day
Drop in to see us on Friday 24th Feb, 9am - 3.45. Upper Swainswick House, BA1 8BU.

Explorer days are 6 hour 'play' hikes in the countryside, for children aged 5-7, 8-12, and 12-16 years old.
During the day, we'll take a leisurely walk through different landscapes, talk, eat wild food, make our camp in a wood, campfires with cooking, have opportunities for play and making things with tools and crafts. Older children and young people can use more advanced tools for shaping freshly cut wood. The cost is £35 per day and the day runs from 10am - 4pm, with provision for an earlier drop off/later pick up (£6 per hour). We are registered with Ofsted and received 'Outstanding' in our 2011 inspection. This year we were recognised as 'Play Champions' by Banes. We accept childcare vouchers.
Group size ranges from 8-12 children with 2 or 3 leaders, younger age groups having greater adult-child ratios. All food for the day is included, and there is lots! Explorer Days start and finish at our house in Upper Swainswick, 2 miles north of Bath. Depending on numbers and ages of children booked on a particular day, we'll be running up to 3 groups based on age groups.
Please contact us if you would like to book a place for your child or a small group. Please take a look at our sites for further information: www.playingoutdoors.org or search for write ups of past explorer days on our blog: http://swainswickexplorers.blogspot.com/
Please feel free to forward this email on to others and if you'd like us to take you off our email list please let us know.
Best wishes
Edward and Rachel

Josh's explorer party, boys and girls turning 10, Sat 28th January 2012

2012-01-28T10:00:00.000Z

A four hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll down for diary.

We went through the grumpy man's garden and were in a beautiful wide valley, sun shining. We find a geo cache box and take out and put in 2 things. We walk on, kids enjoying trying to break each others sticks. We stop at an ancient hollow oak for biscuit and carrot snack. Some enjoy throwing sticks for Rosie the dog. Some try to get into the hollow tree. Sophie got stuck in the tree. George had gone ahead to cut fresh hazel. Everyone had a walking stick... or a weapon. The children play fought. Charlie ate a sloe berry... without making a sour face. A competition followed with most children having a go. Boys run after Rosie, hunting her with spears. "It's like being Vikings really," Joshua. We went through a swamp! Climbing u the side of the valley, had a biscuit snack. Leo and Ollie are keen to get going. Joshua led a game jumping down the hill, "WOO HOO." Kaylun, Caleb, Charlie and George test whether an ant hill has any ants left in it. Rabbits are around here. "Camp is so close, I can feel it." Caleb at last we arrived at camp. George, Pablo and Leo got the campfire going. Rachel put up 2 rope swings. Lucy organised a woodland feast of sausages, bread, ketchup and cheese. Play settled into swinging, sitting up in a tree chatting, peeling sticks, blowing the fire and exploring sun filters through the trees. A buzzard meows overhead. The peeled sticks are turning white. Grace and Gabe warmed up sausages over the fire. We cooked gluten free sausages for Sian. We toasted marshmallows. With a charcoal stick from the fire we painted our faces like warriors. "I'm just having my make up put on," someone said! We walked back in the sunlight. "Oh no... I just stood in a cow pat!"

Geo-caching is a world wide treasure hunt. You swap something you have with something in the box.

Best bits:- Leo - umm... probably the camp; Gabe - going through the mud; Joshua - carving; Rosie - the throwing stick; Ollie - probably in the woods; Lucy - umm... umm... laughing, i don't know... uhh; Sian - watching the kids play; Kaylun - umm the camping; Caleb - the same as Kaylun; Grace - the swings; Sophie - umm, probably at the camp, umm, you know the bit with the swinging; Pablo - I'm not completely sure, I think I enjoyed everything... actually the carving; George - everything; Charlie - face painting

Camp:- Dead wood camp; Leaders:- Lucy, Rachel, George and Rosie (the dog) ; Parents:- Sian

after school, Tuesdays in January 2012

2012-01-24T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with lots of freedom to choose what to play - in a big garden with lots of play equipment and 'loose parts' and nice indoor family environment.

Tues 24th Jan:
The Swainswick boys had been told of a new addition to the toys and so went running straight down to the bottom garden, with Rachel telling them hot and cold. "Cold," the boys went down further, "even colder," the boys ran up to the house to find... a drum set. They had a play on the drum set while others were eating their tea. After tea the big foot came out and the play fighting began, between Arthur, Ned and James. Shortly afterwards the boys went down to the bottom garden and built dens, Jack joined in when he got back from Football. Inside Fleur told Rachel the story of baby Jesus and Rachel tole Fleur the story of baby Moses with the new prop, a doll in a basket. Charlie Played Uno (1-3), Battleships (draw) and drafts (1-1) against Rebecca. In the kitchen Rachel made flatbread with Fleur before she got picked up early to go home. Once it was too dark to stay outside the boys came inside and play fighting once again began, with Jack instead of James as he had gone home.
Tues 17th Jan:
Arthur, Ned and James built a ‘prison’ using the usual pallets, planks and ropes. Ben was their runaway prisoner who then enjoyed talking his way out of captivity! Edward was making a box in his workshop. Then they played kick the can. Inside Isobel and Rebecca had made hot chocolate for them, Fleur and Izzy. The footballers arrived and the tempo rose to create an exciting chase game. Meanwhile the young girls, Amy and Fleur, got confused about whether they were being chased, or not! Then Edward started a small campfire for them as they wanted to toast marshmallows. Edward got all the chickens into their new household. The poly tunnel is officially closed. The plan is to get some chicks in the spring. Isobel spent most of the club hanging out inside and talking to George.
Tues 10th Jan
A massive base was being built - James, Ben, Arthur and Ned were very busy with their construction. They used pallets, planks and scaffolding tower and climbing ropes. The football boys arrived and there was a man-hunt game. Ben got a nose bleed but soon recovered. Occasionally Amy and Fleur would appear with torches as it was now dark. Inside Isobel and Rachel played "Don't Say It!". Amy and Fleur had played with the soldiers, fortress and princes and princesses. Rebecca finished up with a game of Uno with Charlie and Isobel. Written by Edward.

Thomas and Pepper's explorer party, 7 and 9 yr olds, Sat 21st January 2012

2012-01-21T10:00:00.000Z

A group of young children head off to Top camp. Scroll down for diaries.

The girls, Edward and Susan set off in the Landrover, while the boys, Jo and Andrew walked out to camp with Rachel. Thomas M found a pair of work mn's gloves. We stopped at the top of a steep bank. We had a competition throwing javelins. Arthur tried out his 'tobogan'! Ben had a battering ram. The wind howls. We cut hazel sticks and climbed on. "That IS windy!" Thomas M. The wind blew us along. Along "slippy, vertical deer path", someone said. Custard creams! We spread out to creep up on the girls at camp. A cold drizzle whips our faces.
At camp the campfire was going well. I heard that there was lots of giggling in the Landrover. There is a clay pit, stream and swings. We opened the woodland café and had sausages, bread and ketchup. Ed made popcorn and tea. Pepper passed it round - popping popcorn into her friends' mouths! They were learning to 5-finger weave so had their hands full! The sage tea was tasted by Pepper, Lawrence and Ben. We toasted marshmallows, decorated sticks and made woven braids. The storm raged on the plain above us. Pepper and Olivia turned into mud monsters. Lawrence puts the fire out with water he's collected. Boys dipped ends of their sticks in clay and some decorated their faces. Boys turned into red Indians on the walk home.
Best bits:- Ruby - making this (braid); Olivia - doing the sticks; Pepper - going here and coming back; Ben - making the sword; Lawrence - sawing; Thomas M - making sticks; Thomas P - making the sword; Arthur B - all of it... I guess; Milo - probably making these spears; Gabriella - unknown; Charlotte - unknown (sorry girls I missed you out by mistake); Jo - umm... watching the boys throwing themselves down the hill and the girls cover themselves in mud; Andrew - the walk has been quite fun, watching then slide down the bank and javeling; Susan - just watching the children have lots of fun with their friends.

Camp: - Top Camp; Leaders:- Edward and Rachel; Parents:- Jo, Andrew and Grandma Susan

Paragon, January 2012

2012-01-18T22:00:00.000Z

Welcome back to the Paragon Outdoor learning blog. This year may well see quite a few changes to the outdoor learning programme, together with the staff learning about Forest School, from the Bridgewater training.

Wed 18th Jan 2012, Class 2G/o'C:-

2G/o'C 's turn to explore up the Paragon valley to see what we could find. We talked of the heroes they'd been thinking about in class and set off through the gate! Everyone was rather excited and the imaginary clues started to be noticed; half nibbled hazelnuts (bat nuts), poisonous red berries along the ground, a crooked stick turned into a hook hand. The super sleuths felt the danger of the "evil explorer." Along the lane to the hidden valley, via a small archway. He had daubed the walls with his special language. A tumbled down wall, his power, more writing (graffiti)...a message to us. Along we went, feeling oppressed by the walls of the valley, like Jason and the Argonauts in the Dardanelles (I think). Louis was really excited about this. On we went and talked and talked; 2 robodogs approached us a few times.

After break we built a trap for the robodogs up in the beech lands, alongside our dens and a couple of small fires, to cook our marshmallows. Pascalle was pleased to eat custard creams too! We ran out of time to cook the popcorn, but we had a lot of fun!

trip wire cover-up

planning

Wed 11th Jan 2012, class 2G:-
Today Year 2 went on a walk spinning a story of superheros, following a villain named "nobody knows his name!" We found that he had been into the railway arch and,"our powering up base," said Alex, drew pictures on the wall ,and left. We followed a trail, asked a dog walker if he had seen the villain. Everyone was engaged for awhile in the story; lots of evidence, footsteps, claw marks, broken perspex...part of a puzzle, then down the field with sheep in it. This bit, we practised twice, walking and silence. Break time, then out again to build superhero dens, so our search could start again tomorrow. Some good collaborative play, investigation, problem solving and fun was had by all. After popcorn and marshmallows it was time for lunch back at school.

Oliver, log rolling...

How do I get this over?

Superhero den!

Teacher art

Not quite finished

Everyone gave me a nice welcome and it was lovely to see my first snowdrops of the year at the Paragon exit...on the bank of the Western Wetlands.

after school, Wednesdays in Jan 2012

2012-01-18T15:30:00.000Z

A small group of children come to play and learn at Swainswick House after school. Scroll down for diaries.

Wed 18th Jan:-
As always tea was first, then off to play. Everyone spread out over the area. The majority of the boys went down to the bottom garden and played football. Justin led a game of army play. Isobel and Emma made a den. Luca from next door was invited over to join in. They played with the guns (imaginary) and then played a bit of rugby. Ramps were made for the scooters, and tested. Isobel and Emma drew a treasure map and followed it, then they did some hula hooping. Julie, our volunteer art teacher, made a joke book and put their jokes into it. Jack, Edmund, Liam and Arthur did some play fighting. After Jack and Edmund played one round of Bagatelle, Jack won by 160 points. Outside Isobel and Emma wrestled with Luca and Justin. Everyone went back inside because it was dark and cold. Emma, Isobel, Toby and Edmund took it in turns dragging each other around the kitchen. To finish Edward sowed Edmund and Isobel how to play Mancala. Everyone had lots of fun!
Wed 11th Jan:-
Today we had a new explorer joining us, Justin. Everyone got back washed there hands and had some tea. We went outside except Isobel who went to the studio to do some art work. Outside there was lots of activities going on. Barney warmed up the boys by playing a few rounds of 'who can get the rugby ball first', starting after it hit the ground. After that they were warmed up they played football, Barney and Edmund vs. Jack and Joe. Toby watched whilst swinging. After 10 minutes Joe went to play other games with Edmund and was replaced by Arthur and Justin. Barney, Arthur and Justin won 7-6. Toby, Joe and Edmund went and played in the red tubes with Barney rocking them and getting them out when the tube was facing down hill. Isabel did a lovely drawing of Joanna painting in the studio. Inside there was paper aeroplane making with intense concentration from all, especially Rachel. Then there was some game playing including bagatelle and 'don't say it'. Unfortunately it was time to go go home. Written by Rebecca.

Lily's explorer party, girls and boys turning 9, Sat 14th January 2012 2012

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000Z

A big group of children go down into the valley and back up to deadwood camp on an explorer party. Scroll down for diary.

Soon we were running down a frosty valley. The children climbed a willow tree, Cecilia went the highest. "I'm relaxing" she said perched up high. Some shuffled into the hollow ancient oak that we then came across. We explored a gurgling brook. Rachel cut hazel sticks for everyone. We crossed a dangerous boggy bit and climbed a steep slope and sat down for a biscuit snack. We rested. Lovely view "Nice cool air up here," Oggy. We had a javelin throwing competition. Round 1: Natalie, round 2: Alby, the referee was Toby. Some of us took the hard way up to camp - steep and tangled with brambles. We arrived at dead-wood camp! "It's a great place to have a battle," Josh and Jason persevered and got a campfire going. We had sausages, cheese and ketchup sandwiches. A group were making a den. "There are two teams. Jake and Will are the enemy and are attacked!" Lily. Edward facilitates making mallets. The mid-day sun filters through the bare trees and our camp is sunny. Jason helps saw the wood in the production line of mallet making. Lily passed round woodland flavoured popcorn. Abby likes to have pretend injuries Cecilia is an old scottish granny. I visit the top base. Alby is lying, a patient with a thread for a tube to his heart and leg bandaged with a scarf. Josh is the Captain, he shows me the escape hatch. Will swings on he rope swing. Child-initiated play continued. The group at the base were under a 'gas attack!' Jason is now an expert at making mallets. Slowly we pack up. One team is called 'Venom' "everybody else shall fear us with our spears."
Best bits:- Cecilia - finding the den, the swing and marshmallows; Josh - the base, the deadwood place; Lily - umm... everything; Alby - going on the rope swing; Tristan - well i enjoyed all of it really; Toby - umm... the swing and the base; James - the swings, the food, making the hammer, the fire and everything else; Natalie - Everything, especially food!; Jason - probably the satisfaction of getting my campfire going and mallets; Lucy - watching Jason being creative; Jake - making mallets; Will - the swings, the popcorn and marshmallows
Camp:- Deadwood camp; Leaders:- Edward and Rachel

Playwalks, term 3 2012, meeting at Paragon School, Tuesdays

2012-01-11T14:38:00.002Z

Playwalks is an outdoor playgroup for parents and their pre-school children. This Playwalk meets on Tuesdays at the Paragon School, 10.15 - 12.15 and is led by Barney.

Tuesday 10th January 2012-01-11
On the way to “Beech Camp”, we identified Ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae). Will said it was his ear.
Anna and her two children made their own confident way up the hill and they showed us a photo they’d taken of the same ear fungus that we’d seen. GREAT EXPLORING Anna. We soon made a lovely camp. Everyone helped collect the different sizes of wood for the FIRE; STRING, PENCIL and THUMB. When we put fuel on, we approached the fire CALMLY, FROM THE BACK, with the smoke and flames blowing away from us. Anna made a grill from tied-together hazel, splaying one end to do some FIRE-SIDE COOKERY on the white hot embers of our lovely winter blaze. We noticed how different the area was; muddy pathways now having been made through the carpet of beech leaves. Bethan played hide and seek in the branches of a large Beech (Fagus Sylvatica). Mayah and her sister Ava were involved in everything, equally, with their Dad, John, enjoying helping them and watching them PLAY.
There were more adult men today than adult women. WONDERFUL TIME for the children. The adults helped the young ones to strip bark off hazel sticks using VEG PEELERS. Nice designs, leaving some bark on. Asha sat happily on the earth and played with some small hazel twigs. We felt the moisture on the sticks and spoke about the way water travels up the tree. We put up a ROPE SWING and I showed Noah’s Dad, Andy, the CONSTRICTOR KNOT, a really effective double hitch that’s strong but also easy to take out when packing up your ROPE. Will helped me pull it down at the end, HAND OVER HAND.
We all helped PUT OUT THE FIRE and enjoyed “descending the mountain”. We emerged on the road and felt like we DISCOVERED a nice quick way back to the cars. The young ones had some WATER PLAY in a pipe that gushed out onto the road. Bethan was brave and nearly slipped in. Emma, Will’s nanny, was great at keeping Will SAFE at the same time as offering him FREEDOM to PLAY.
Tuesday 17th January
With two new families today our activities were FIRE SAFETY and ROPE SWINGS. We made our way up to ‘Beech Camp’ and made a nice fire, chatting about safety...staying calm, approaching the fire from the back and safely putting on fuel. We put up a small rope swing under the climbing tree and I demonstrated a nice way to hold the young ones on but still giving them the free swinging sensation. Tessa and Noah showed us the Norwegian way of keeping warm.
Tuesday 24th January
Today our activities were MUD PLAY, FINDING A NEW CAMP and ROPE PLAY. The children were delighted by slipping over and becoming muddy on our walk up the paths. Mayah and Bethan were competing to be the muddiest. We felt like “real explorers”, as we pushed on past ‘Beech Camp to a new camp which we called ‘Holly Camp”. Annie was instrumental in facilitating a great game with the rope. It involved letting herself get tied to a tree; then tying all the children to the tree. Great fun.

Playwalks term 3 2012, meeting in Swainswick

2012-01-11T14:36:00.002Z

An outdoor walk for parents and pre-school children led by playworker, Barney. Meet in Swainswick, Thursdays 10 - 12.
Thursday 5th January
The weather was breezy and changeable. We welcomed two new playwalkers: Katty and her boy, Willis. We planned to stay close to HQ today. ROAD SAFETY first, then up Blacksmith and down Kent Lanes and into “Churchyard Camp”. We collected fire wood and spoke about our FIRE RULES. We erected a SHELTER to protect us from wind chill. We put up a ROPE SWING and there were lots of games around this including everyone pulling it down and everyone jumping on top of Barney. Willis was able to MAKE FRIENDS, nicely, as the adults chatted and had a picnic. We made HOT DRINKS on the fire under the long branches of a Monterrey Cypress (Cypressus Macrocarpa).
Thursday 12th January
Our activities today were CLIMBING with ROPE and DEN BUILDING. We climbed down a challenging slope into a new camp... “Swainswick Dingley Dell”. While in camp some of the young ones made a den in a big fallen branch and adults helped by adding a cover to make it a nice hidden area.
Thursday 19th January
Today we did CAMP-FIRE COOKERY and WEAVING. Jayne and Jack brought along some sweet dough which we twisted around freshly cut sycamore twigs and baked over a small fire. Sophie and Ellen did ‘five finger weaving’ and ‘magic string’ with their children Beatrice, Ava, Daniel and Joseph. There was also a nice round of name singing. Robin and Leo kept warm by running around.
Thursday 26th January
A longer WALK today; MARSHMALLOWS and EMERGENCY SHELTER. We walked safely down the lane and through the grumpy man’s house. We arrived at the majestic oak tree... the grandfather of the valley. We cut hazel twigs and toasted marshmallows over a fire dug out of the ground and made invisible afterwards. We chatted about not having fires over the root system of trees. When the cold rain suddenly came down we used our ground sheet held over our heads as an emergency shelter. It wasn’t that comfortable but it stopped us getting soaking wet and too cold. I asked Jayne, “Is it over?”; she smiled and answered, “Yes, it’s over.”

after school, Thursdays in January 2012

2012-01-10T17:45:00.002Z

An after school club in a family home with large garden and playworkers with a passion for outdoor play. Scroll down for diaries.

Thurs 26th Jan
The Monkton Farley boys arrived , again, like cats on hot tin rooves. We eventually gathered for tea...Lovely, fresh, thick, crusty bread with jam or honey. Charles had a crisp green apple sliced into quarters. After a quick blast on the drums it was back outdoors for a slippery, muddy game of football. Hendrick scored his first ever goal but this didn't stop Keelen and Seb beating him and me 10 - 2.
There was lots of stick play and games around the red tubes. Everyone ran for shelter when a hail storm burst suddenly.
Inside, Louise helped people to make cakes. The main bakers were Dylan, Phoebe, Harper and Theo. Fleur sat and wrote a story; then Rachel read her and Charles a story about mice. We finished the week sat around the kitchen table licking the mix off the spoons and enjoying the cakes warm from the oven.
Thurs 19th Jan
The boys could hardly contain themselves at tea; they couldn't wait to have a go on the new drum-kit. Harper told us about his favourite bits from his Australian holiday. George set up a chip factory and was given help with the potato peeling by Pippa and Phoebe.
Outside Seb got everyone to play football; his side won 5-1. After this there were games under the yew trees. Dare-devil scooter stunts and some really risky climbing.
Edward was doing some green wood-work under the shelter.
Back inside Dylan was getting some help from Louise with playing the drums in a controlled way.
Thurs 12th Jan
The Monkton Farleigh lot went straight outdoors today to burn off some of their energy. There was a nice game of football... 2-2 before tea (half time), 10-6 afterwards.
Sonny, Tom, Charles and Rachel made paper planes. At the end of club there was a big take off with all the origami aircraft hurtling across the garden.
The evening was turning chilly and as the sun set the sky changed colours from orange to purple.
Phoebe, Fleur, Pippa, Dylan and Mateo played an imaginitive game which involved hamsters, rabbits and pirates. The boys were the pirates and the girls hid in a wooden box.
The birds were giving their evening concert as the parents arrived to pick up their dear children. Written by Barney.
Thurs 5th Jan:
"Well, Arthur, Tom and I were playing around the den and chatting in there and we all played a game of football - Dylan, Tom, me and Arthur, Barney, Hendrick and Keelan and Seb. That was about 1/2 hour and then everyone came in cos it was getting really cold and dark. We all played ball games. A few of went outside again - me, Tom and younger ones and then came inside again. So, that's like a recount of the day", Theo.
Hendrick and Charles did carpentry with Edward. Phoebe and Sunny made a vertical slide out of the tubes. You had to pay a handful of grass to go in it! Dylan was just having goes on the slide. Mateo, Pippa, Sonny were drawing. Seb and Charles played on the keyboard. The marble game was out, and draughts. Written by Theo and Rachel.

after school, Mondays in January 2012

2012-01-09T17:48:00.001Z

An after school club for children from different schools in and around Bath; with opportunities for free play both outdoors in wonderful gardens and indoors in a beautiful house.

Monday 16th Jan:
Jack, Ollie and Fin were in a 'rebellious' mood and ran down the garden and hid from us, as we called them in for tea. They came of their own accord in the end. We chatted round the table, with much high spirits especially from Jack and Fin. After tea everyone decided to be outside. There was a beautiful clear sky and it was cold. They played a game of hide and seek tag in the fading light. Fleur followed the chickens around, who are wandering freely round the garden. Fleur, Phoebe and Dylan went inside and Danny and the older boys played football. Rachel and Louise were sweeping up leaves under the walnut tree and putting up a fence to protect the emerging daffodills. Inside Arthur played Kliko and when I came in Fleur was drawing and Jack and Ollie were playing the marble game. Happy Birthday to Phoebe for tomorrow!

Monday 9th January
Fleur and Phoebe made paper chains, paper aeroplanes and later they played with the African doll. Both the girls enjoyed strumming the guitar. Finlay, Dylan and Edward played Qorridor. Danny and Dylan had a couple of games of draughs. Jack and Ollie had lots of fun in the garden playing hide and seek. They were pleased that Barney was really enjoying the game. Later, Phoebe, Fleur and Dylan joined in. There were a few torches. The children enjoyed the DARK and playing the game in torch LIGHT. Ollie and Jack hid under the canoe. "That was a great hiding place!"

explorer day, 6-9 year olds, Thu 5th Jan 2011

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000Z

A small group of explorers set off into the countryside for an adventure.

We settled into a temporary camp. It's got clay, some interesting objects like an old kettle, a good supply of hazel, a tree for climbing and sitting up in (Freddie), hiding in (Oli). We peeled bark off sticks and had a fruit and biscuit snack. Benje collects 'nice fresh clay'. There's a cold breeze but the boys are oblivious to it! On we walked. We played a 'formula 1 racing' game, cheering on cars on the A46 below us. We stopped for another rest - sausages, bread, ketchup and chocolate and chatted and peeled, a view of ancient valley below us. Edward imagines people have been looking at this view for thousands of years. We walked along a drainage ditch. Oli enjoyed straddling it. At last we made camp. Benje used a knife to sharpen the end of his stick. Freddie, Thomas and Oli were very industrious preparing Edward's and their campfire. The wind whirled around us. Ed sets up a wind barrier... "Have a little rest here - cosy" he says. Grey skies but sun has come out which is lovely - pools of sunlight fall on us. Some decorate sticks with coloured threads. We have sausages, toast, baked beans... make popcorn, with Thomas. Oli and Edward make mallets for "whoever wants one". We toasted marshmallows - the wind is so blustery the smoke goes everywhere. The wind rages overhead.

Best bits:- Thomas - I've enjoyed... feeding my fire 'cos it kept going out; Benje - peeling his stick; Oscar - hmm, eating marshmallows; Freddie - making the fire; Ben - I've learnt that everything in the world except humans beings have a sound... and burning those sticks; Guy - umm... it would be probably on the swing; Rosie - stealing the sausages and eating guy's marshmallows; Oli - making the mallets

Leaders:- Edward, Rachel and Rosie

Alexander's explorer party, boys turning 5, Sat 28th Dec 2011

2011-12-28T17:59:00.000Z

A 3 hour party for a boy turningn 5 and 5 other friends and their parents.
Alexander shared with me what he was looking forward to doing on his party. We headed up and down lanes and had to crouch down really low at times to get under. Through an old gate into a small wooded area at the back of the church yard. We had great fun making a fire and enjoying special food while sat round it. We made a rope swing in the cypress tree. Most of the boys made spears from freshly coppiced hazel, then decorated them with coloured threads. Alexander helped me put the fire out and we used some of the charcoal to make signs on an ash tree.

Explorer Day, mixed group of 7-12 yr olds, Wednesday 21st December 2011

2011-12-23T11:26:00.001Z

A 6 hour adventure in the winter landscape, group of 11 children and 3 leaders. Scroll down for photos.
We set off into a rain-drenched valley. Clouds hung in the trees of the opposite hillside. Through the grumpy man's house we followed a stream. Estelle found the shell of a duck egg in the reeds. Up we went to the cut-down ash tree. A few people climbed to the top. Zach was first. We had snack of custard creams before setting off again. Madi showed great climbing technique. On along the valley we threw alder seeds into the brook to grow our own trees. Zach requested that we go to the hollow oak and we had water play and rope swinging while we were there. Up to the road and over a gate through a really muddy bit. We all through about the cows there were grazing around the hillside. We wanted to make our camp away from them and ended up at the top of 'Ditch Camp'.
We soon had a nice cooking fire and a rope swing. There were shrieks of delight as they went for 'power swings'. Lunch was served: sausages, cheese, onion, fruit, cheese, bread, biscuits. The sun shone into our camp, as peopleset about peeling the bark from walking sticks and hollowing out pieces of elder to make blow pipes. Lots of five finger weaving. Jasper and Otis were successful at starting their fire with a flint and steel.

Best bits:- Daniel - uum...the sing, uum...at the hollow tree; Jasper - this place, the fire and the swing; Otis - the flints and tinder stuff and food; Charlie - weaving; Finn - probably doing the weaving; Zach - the swing, making my kinda stick; Madi - the weaving, umm...going inside the tree; Estelle - Hhh, uhh, I don't know, seeing the big mishroom inside the tree ;Lucy - Justing chillin'; Sue - watching Jasper and Otis make fire; Barney - winter sunshine
Camp - Top of Dictch Camp, Leaders - Barney, Sue, Lucy

Explorer day, 3 children aged 7-12, Tues 20th December 2011

2011-12-23T11:18:00.001Z

An explorer day is a trip to the countryside where you learn a variety of skills, combined with a nice day out. Scroll down for photos.
The sun was still low on the horizon as we set off on our adventure. Harvey found 'old man's beard' and we collected some to start our fire at camp. Through the kissing gate across the field we dipped into a steep wood. Out into the valley and we were being watched by some long horned cattle. We opted to navigate around them. Up the other side we cut hazel for walking sticks. Snack of pear and biscuits at the bottom of the never ending steps. Finally at the top we all had sips of water. The mood in the group was happy and relaxed as we pushed on up to the top of the world. Past an old fallen down house and into a magical wood. We found 'shaggy mushrooms' and King Alfred's cakes. The tracks were quite slippery from yesterday's rain but we all made it to camp, "I can see the tent" someone said as we approached. We all helped to make a fire or lay out the food. We were soon cooking an aray of treats: smoked biscuits (done on the "cheese tostie stick") sausages, beans, popcorn and of course marshmallows. We put up a new rope swing, with fresh rope. Alex played in the stream showing great imagination, "Lucy helped me make a gateway to a wizarding world". Alexandro stripped the bark off his stick, Harvey asked for the hammer and enjoyed his cooking. Time to go. All feeling relaxed.

BEST BITS: Alexandro - doing this (draw knife on the shave horse). Alex - helping the water and making the gateway with Lucy. Lucy - making my clay pot. Sue - helping Alex move the guttering. Barney - how calm and relaxed everyone was. Camp - Top Camp.

Explorer day, mixed group from 6-12 yrs old, Mon 19th Dec 2011

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000Z

A big group of explorers set off on a very rainy day and arrive back early to warm up. Scroll down for photos.

With everybody well equipped with boots and waterproofs, we set off slightly nervously under a grey winter sky. Down a lane we soon popped through an old iron gate and up a steep hill. Some people spotted signs of cows. "This cow must have slipped while he was doing a poo." We arrived at camp. Everyone helped to collect wood for the fire and we soon had two shelters and a rope swing up. Some people peeled sticks, some made five finger braids, others just enjoyed the mud or the rope swing.. Madeleine led a nice round of Christmas singing. In the slipper camp everyone was happy. We had marshmallows before packing up. The den was left standing and we marched back.

Best bits:- Peter - going on the swing; Madeleine - everything and that weaving; Daniel - going on the swing and mud sliding; Jack - I liked using the rope swing; Ben - the rope swing, probably; Tom - marshmallows and the mud; Ollie - everything, settling alight my marshmallows; Lara - doing the five finger weaving; Barney - making the hiking sticks; Sebastian - walking and making the den; Sophie - my best part was mud sliding

Leaders:- Barney, Sue and Lucy; Camp:- Ditch camp

Explorer day, Fri 16th Dec 2011

2011-12-16T22:00:00.000Z

A small group of explorers set off to the woods around Swainswick in search of bottom camp. Scroll down for photos.

We met a muddy farmer who was checking his cows for TB, a disease spread by badgers, he says. It's sunny and there's a cold breeze. We sheltered in a wood for fruit, digestive and cheese snacks. Barney demonstrated dangers of dead wood. "Balance the long stick on your nose, Barney!" Misha. Up we climbed, past sheep, through a boggy bit, to top of Solsbury Hill. "Nearly there! Hill is flat. Boys lead the way. We clamber down a steep slope. Biscuit and fruit snack in another sheltered place. Sun is out again. Barney demonstrated hand signs for common words we use: please, thank you, food types, toilet, good, bad, etc. On we went. Oscar and Misha explored a stream. We passed by a house with geese guarding it. Blue tits and great tits were having a last feed before flying to Africa. We climbed up a muddy field, longing to get to camp. Toby found Captain hook's hook. Misha bashed away with a metal spike, loosening precious stones. Up past some pigs, Barney and Toby found a pellet from a bird of prey. Nothing much in it - bit squishy. At last we got to bottom camp! Barney set to making a campfire. There is a rope swing. A game developed, 'the person swings and if you can touch their leg without the swinger touching you, you get 10 points,' Oscar. The kingswood boys enjoyed that. Misha and Kai helped us with the fire. We had sausages, cheese and bread. We finished off with marshmallows.

Best bits:- Rosie - doing the field; Oscar - roly polying down the hill; Toby - having the marshmallows; Oliver - having our picnic; Misha - roasting my metal bar; Kai - lighting the fire; Rachel - the yellow sun; Barney - the walking slow and steady won the race

Leaders:- Rachel and Barney; Camp - bottom camp

Explorer day, Wed 14th Dec 2011

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000Z

A very small group of explorers make their way out in the wet up to top camp. No photos.

After getting equipped with water proofs clothing and boots we set off in the land rover towards top camp. The wind was blowing from the North East bringing with it sleet, rain and snow. Through the field of ant hills and into a jungle. Max and Robin led us most of the way through. We stopped before getting there to see if we could find signs of an old camp. The boys enjoyed poking a stick into a rotten piece of wood. Arriving at camp we lit a fire and had a biscuit snack. The boys re-channeled the stream, played on the swing and dug a very muddy hole with Rosie's help. Lunch of sausages, followed by marshmallows. With the boys help, Edward attempted to pull down a rotten goat willow. They didn't pull it down but did manage to shake off a few really dead branches. Lots of laughter and fun on the way back. Splashing in puddles and curious about everything. Back to H.Q. - change clothes, warm by the fire and hot chocolate. Indoor games to finish the day.

Best bits:- Max - digging the pot hole and Robin slipping over; Robin - digging the pot hole and the tree felling.

Leaders:- Edward and Barney; Camp:- Top camp

Oliver's explorer party, boys turning 7, Sat 10th Dec 2011

2011-12-10T11:15:00.000Z

A group of 6 boys make their way through the countryside to dead-wood camp. Scroll down for photos.

We were looking for evidence of metal and ancient dinosaurs, evidence found - metal poos, inner ears, metal jointed leg, skin and a tooth. We walked through a wood past a 'junk yard' and onto a steep slope with views of the valley. A metal dinosaur flew overhead. We froze, hoping it wouldn't spot us. Down the hill we went. The boys discovered a steep earth slide and loved screaming, slipping and sliding. Toby had a rope around his waist, "hold on", "don't let go!", "argh!" On we went overturning stones, looking for fossils, "it's a perfect shape for a dinosaur's head," Will. At last we arrived at 'dead-wood' camp. Toby set up a campfire with Henry and Gabriel. Everybody collected wood. Rachel put up 2 rope swings. Deadwood camp is very steep. We had a feast of sausages, bread, ketchup and cheese. We popped corn. Oliver wanted a spear made to make a stake for a den. We went off for a little explore and cut some ash for carving. Becca takes photographs. We finish off with marshmallows. Sun is shining through the leaves. With faces painted for war, we walked through fields. The boys have gone tribal, making warrior moises. Treacherous mud! Harry's stuck! Hip hip hooray! The boys stalked a 'star-wars walker'. Attack! Get under cover!

Bets bits:- Gabriel - the campfire; Toby - the weather, the campfire, I've always liked campfires and the look on their faces!; William - making warrior faces and getting these carved; Oliver - everything,everything I enjoyed; Sam - the marshmallows, the climbing and the sliding; Rosie -running around with the stick; Will - when we were climbing up the rope, that was really fun; Becca - the bit I really enjoyed watching was when they were going up and down the slope; Harry - camping, having the marshmallows and putting sticks in the fire.

Josh's explorer party, boys turning 9, Sat 10th Dec 2011

2011-12-10T10:30:00.000Z

A group of 10 children take a short walk up to top camp. Photos to come.

Josh and his friends had a quick play on the 'obstacle course' on the bottom lawn, where later there would be a BB war. Quick safety talk, "car up, car down and smile". Off towards the field of freedom, over a stile, "give some space or get a kick in the face". We bid good morning to some humans. Edward cut some hazel walking sticks. Climb to the top of the world and stop for a snack of carrot and apple. Ella shares some chocolate buttons. Through a snake wood. Look at Salisbury Hill and some custard creams to top up our sugar levels. Past the wild dogs and through the field of fear. Josh led us to a tall tree and into the forest. "This is definitely an ant hill." Into a jungle with wild plants and mystery. Finally at camp work began on walking sticks. We cooked lunch, sausages, cheese, tiger bread, onion and marshmallows. There was water work, swinging, exploring and mastering the use of draw knives, peelers and shave horses. All to soon it was time to douse the fire and head back for cake.

Best bits:- Josh - I liked the camp it was fun there; Noah - all of it; Fynn - sticks, making them and going on the swings; Kael - that'll be my fav... sharpening my stick; Freddie - oh sharpening the stick thing and decorating it; Ella - going there walking; Alyssa - umm... eating the sausages; Darci - the sausages because I had four of them; Toby - going to the camp, exploring and walking everywhere; Jamie - umm... probably making the fire, making the pipe and the food; Michaella - seeing them all doing their sticks, so engrossed; Ed - the blue sky; Barney - Alyssa's sing and sign

Leaders - Barney and Edward; Parents - Shaun and Michaela; Camp - Top camp

after school club, Thursdays in December 2011

2011-12-08T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with a focus on outdoor play in large garden and old fashioned house. Scroll down for diaries. Written by Barney.

8th Dec:-
After a very windy day, the rain finally arrived for the last club of the year. A few children still insisted on being outside in the wet and dark, slipping, running, scrapping and laughing. Seb and Sonny were last to come in. They had to dry off in the kitchen with their backs to the AGA, "my bum's on fire" called Seb.
On the tea table were gole, frankincense and myrrh. They had come from Rachel and Edward's advent walk. Christmas decorations were finished off. The Monkton Farley Boys were almost exploding with energy so Louise had them all jumping together, with the little santa singing, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way". More games carried on, pick-up sticks, twister and pop up pirate.

1st Dec:-
Great club today. A lovely relaxed tea with people trying to use softer voices. The Monkton Farleigh boys all had Match Attax which their teacher had given them. "I've got eight shiny's"..."I've got Rooney". Outdoor time brought play on the swings, tag and football. Seb and Keelan beat Barney 7-2. As night fell there was some rough and tumble with everyone ending up on top of each other. Sonny had a bit of a scrape trying to do a stunt on the likeabike. Indoors the lounge fire was warm and cosy. There were some high quality games of twister. Seb and Hendric played bagatelle. In the kitchen, Louise helped Theo, Pippa and Sonny to make Christmas decorations: paper chains and laminated snow flakes.

after school club, Wednesdays in December 2011

2011-12-07T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with a focus on outdoor play in large garden and old fashioned house. Scroll down for descriptions of sessions this month.

Wed 7th Dec:
Outside there was football. Finlay finished off the 'Dragon's Den' and was really proud of what had been made. Some climbed trees. Barney made a huge bonfire, burning up lots of cut elder, it had started with a cooking fire to toast marshmallows. Meanwhile in the 'art studio' Joe, George, Finlay started talking like real artists as they approached their work in the studio today. They chose cards, mounts to work from. "I'm going to do a Christmasy picture and it looks very wintery", says one. Joe discerned how to use the water soluble colours to make his hills as he wanted. Toby discussed having a new sister and how she was due to be born near his birthday. Joanna was making angels. Happy Christmas to all!

after school club, Tuesdays in December 2011

2011-12-06T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with a focus on outdoor play in large garden and old fashioned house. Scroll down for descriptions of sessions this month.

Tues 6th December:
Ben, James and Isobel played on the go-karts, Ben was teaching Isobel how to steer through the obstacle course and was very good at encouraging and coaching her. They were half waiting for the football boys to appear. When they arrived they had a quick refill of bread and fruit and then went out to play 'man hunt' in the dark and to 'patrol the borders'. Meanwhile inside Amy and Alexander had got most of the toys out all over the floor and played bagetelle, marbles, castles and soldiers. Later Amy loved the 'Watch out for Wally' book. Charlie and Arthur played draughts. A lovely club.

Playwalks on Tuesdays meeting at Paragon School, Term 2 2011

2011-12-06T10:00:00.000Z

We meet at 10:15 by the outdoor theatre at The Paragon School for a two hour walk in the school grounds and beyond, experienced at the pace of pre-school children. Usually making a camp with a small fire, digging, exploring, picnic, green woodwork, rope swings, chat, craft activities and child-initated play. Blog written by Barney. Scroll down for diaries.

6th Dec:-
Annie came along with Steve today in her family group. He is a really nice chap with lots of experience outdoors from most continents of the world, but still with the ability to show an interest in our small, sweet section of the world. Our plan, with the arrival of colder weather was to walk more than camp. So, we decided to take an alternative route to beech camp. We set off through the challenging maze of laurel trees past the work shelter. Joshua seemed to grow in confidence as the oldest child. Reuben was happy to walk for short distances and spent some time on Steve’s shoulders as well as mine. We found ourselves on an old railway line before doubling back along the line of a fence and into beech camp. On our journey we cut two long whips of hazel, which Bethan and Joshua dragged to camp. It was wonderful to watch Joshua striding out in front; and superb that he instantly recognised our home ground. The whole area was carpeted by the crispy leaf fall of autumn and winter and we talked about this being the lightest time in a wood when everyone considers winter to be dark. With a strong, blustery breeze blowing through the area we decided to set a tarp as a wind break. The sun shone from behind it and Anna gave us an impromptu shadow puppet show. The children helped us collect “String, Pencil and Thumb” sized sticks and Steve started the fire with a single strike of the flint and steel. I had brought along a sleeping bag which all the young ones took turns at snuggling in to escape the fresh breeze. Joshua played at climbing and rope work with Steve and Reuben joined them. Bethan, Anna and Annie made bead necklaces by hollowing out pieces of elder. Joshua, Steve and Beth had hazel walking sticks made to measure. We had planned to have singing and there was a little burst of Silent Night, Holy Night. We shared lovely food and hot drinks accompanied by chat and play. Time to pack up. On the way down Bethan slid down a steep slope ploughing a course through a thick bed of leaves. Great walk, great term. We bid each other farewell and wished one another MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Nov 29th:-
Five families today, braving the forecast wind and rain. Our plan was to get up to beech camp and cook a full English breakfast.
Before crossing the brook we cut three long bamboos which Joshua, Thomas and Beth dragged up the hill. With the rain threatening we put up the basher for shelter before building a lovely fire. Everyone helped cook sausages, scrambled eggs, beans and muffins. Jenny heated up sausage rolls and Margaret handed out cheesy pizza.
The children made red flags with rip-stock and the bamboo canes. Thomas and Joshua again vied for position on the climbing tree and warned Will not to come up, (for safety reasons). The children finally found the treasure tree, which looked like a tuning fork. We dug up the treasure, excitedly, with Thomas pulling it out of the ground and Will opening the lid. Inside were ancient coins, which we shared out. There were also two candles which might help with our fires on another day. We sang a song for the little ones, which Bethan and Daisy seemed to enjoy.
The children helped put out the fire and the adults all helped to pack up camp. The young ones sped off in front and could hardly be stopped on the way back down. We gathered by the steps for team photos which would be so sweet to look at and remember in the future. It was Jenny and Thomas’s last week as he is off to the Antarctic before starting school next term.
Good luck Thomas and THANK YOU for coming on Playwalks.
Nov 22nd:-

Annie, Joshua and Reuben were back with us today, even though J had been a bit under the weather. We decided that a nice relaxed walk would be best so, after a quick play on the wooden train, we headed for ‘beech camp’.

At the start of the path we headed up Edward’s new steps. Thomas found a long stick and he kindly gave to me, which was useful to steady me as I had Reuben on my shoulders. Arriving at the top the ground was strewn with beech leaves and nuts like a golden carpet. Annie pointed out how the area seemed much larger with the arrival of Winter’s light. I had planned to show people some simple knots, but the activity turned into climbing. Joshua and Thomas vied for position on the climbing tree and I spoke to them about keeping three points of contact. Bethan and the boys broke a large, dry branch by wedging it between two trees and pushing...CRACk, HOORAY. Anna allowed Asha to sit on the forest floor; it was wonderful and she looked like “nature girl”.

There was some nice cooking on the camp fire and we made hot drinks, while the children enjoyed sharing Annie’s fruit smoothie. We all agreed that we should one day cook a full English Brunch. Jenny made cooking sticks from hazel whips and toasted muffins on them, served with butter... luxury. There was lovely chat as we had pudding of malt loaf and marshmallows. The children helped put out the fire and we strew the moistened embers in all directions. We hid our traces by sprinkling leaves on the area.

We meandered back down to the brook and planned for next week, which was going to be Thomas and Jenny’s last session.

Nov 15th:-

What a journey lay in front of us, particularly for Ava who is only nineteen months old. We helped each other through a tangle of laurel branches. Over, under and out to a tunnel that echoed our voices as we passed under it. Thomas turned over stones and we watched a beetle scurrying off. We tried to move a massive boulder, all pushing, but it was “too heavy”.

Ava spent some time asking to be picked up by mum, Sue, who was trying to get her to walk more by herself. We all understood and supported them. Success, Ava made it right to the end of the old railway track. There was a sealed up tunnel and we imagined what might be the other side of the big metal door. “Maybe the train driver.”

Through a muddy stream and into a lovely area we made our camp. Bethan, Asha and mum Anna looked in their new tree book at limes and hazels. We called the area ‘Hazel Camp’.

William played a nice game with the rope swing, pushing it and trying to avoid it coming back to hit him. He was also prolific with his stick gathering. I noticed that there were large shaggy ink cap mushrooms in the camp. They had long gone past edibility and turned from lawyer’s wigs into black messes. (Cuprinus Comatus)

We set a nice cooking fire with a grill made from hazel whips. Anna and Jenny warmed up sausage rolls and toasted bread with delicious sausages. Asha relaxed in the hammock, looking up into the tree tops. So happy and content. We packed up and headed back along another path and Ava finally got a well-deserved shoulder ride. Back through the laurel and home. What a journey lay behind us.

Nov 8th:-

Anna’s friend, Niki brought along little Daisy and her brother, George; and we were also joined by Will’s nanny, Emma. The earth, trees and air were wet with winter dew. The children played delightfully on the equipment by the outdoor theatre and we prepared to set off. Thomas led us to the workshop and, having walked only seventy yards, we set up our camp. We sang the new song about the three thicknesses of wood we needed to prepare for our fire... “String, Pencil and Thumb, to make a Fire”. Will and Thomas were very curious about the shave horses and what tools I had in my bag. We put up a rope swing over a holly branch. Daisy had a happy smile as I helped her hang on and swing through the air. Bethan swung high; she seemed comfortable and safe. We enjoyed relaxing in the hammock. Anna had a cup of coffee in a posh cup. There was a lovely array of food enjoyed by the fire side. Will asked, politely, for a “proper stick” so we sawed a hazel pole into three to make sticks for him, Thomas and George.

The school children played noisily over the way and there was a contrasting , peaceful silence when the bell was rung for them to go back to lessons.

We collected small sticks in a ‘golden syrup tin’ and put it on the fire to make charcoal. Jenny and Thomas wrote their initials with it. Thomas found a natural seat half way up the side of a climbing tree.

We’d spent nearly three hours at camp. I asked Jenny how she felt about not going very far on the play’WALK’. She said she felt “a bit lazy”. With the promise of a nice long walk next week we wandered back.

after school club, Mondays in December 2011

2011-12-05T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with a focus on outdoor play in large garden and old fashioned house. Scroll down for descriptions of sessions this month.

Monday 5th:
Phoebe played her brother, Dylan, at Twister and won! Finlay taught Arthur how to play draughts. Danny and Barney had a game of Conne Of 4 - Danny won, with some slight shinanisons. Dylan, Danny, Phoebe and Fleur decorated the Christmas tree. They were very excited and it looked pretty afterwards. We enjoyed Christmas hymns on the CD. Edward had a singalong. Edward talked about the meaning of Christmas and significance of the Advent calendar.

Workshop at the Paragon School base

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000Z

5 boys and 2 girls visited the Paragon Wood workshop on Saturday to try their hand at making a Christmas crib or anything else they had an idea for. Everyone settled into an activity, from woodwork, to fire making to imaginative play...including alot of mud. We munched through the picnic I had provided, produced some good bits and pieces, the sun shone and we had a good time; all ably assisted by one of my sons, Tobias.

Just fun!

A Christmas crib, by Holly

Playwalks on Thursdays meeting in Swainswick, Term 1 2011

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000Z

Gentle guidance through the countryside by an experienced explorer, Thursdays 10 - 12. Written by Barney. Scroll down for photos.

1st Dec:-
The last meeting in the lay-by and we were joined by Ellen who brought young Daniel and little Joseph. We headed for flat camp. Daniel was the oldest child and he helped me lead everyone up the lane and into the field of freedom while I chatted to his mum.

We set a lovely fire in camp and the children played freely around the area. Charlie helped everyone have a safe go on the rope swing. Three children found a nice view and just stood and looked for a while out onto the amazing valley.

Claire requested the “Walking in the woods song” which Milo had been getting her to sing all week. There was great delight as the children’s innocent eyes looked out from below the cover. William sang a lovely seasonal song with great confidence. We had delicious food and drinks as usual and finished our morning with toasted marsh mallows.

24th Nov:-
Ben and Jack were so well behaved for our road crossing and we were soon at the kissing gate and enjoying the field of freedom. Luca was back with his brother, Milo, taking everything in from his sling carried by mum, Claire. Jack and Billy got to know each other a bit more. We came across a big muddy swamp and were delighted at throwing big stones in and making splatts.
We arrived at the top of a steep bank which would take us down to flat camp. I took out a climbing rope and everyone embraced the challenge of easing themselves down. We used a method of running the rope behind us and using our top arm to carry our weight. Jayne adjusted the rope at the bottom according to the climber’s height. Wonderful achievements...proper climbing.
We found an old fire-pit and quickly made ourselves at home. We all collected string, pencil and thumb sized sticks and soon had a warming fire. Milo tested the rope swing. Jack and the boys were more interested in pushing and catching it. To avoid it hitting their heads I moved it out of reach and they took turns at bashing the swing seat with long sticks. We had lovely food and refreshing tea while the children played.
Susie and Billy had to leave us to go swimming and they waved goodbye at the top of the bank. We soon had to leave ourselves and made easy work of climbing back up and out of camp. We threw one more massive rock into the swamp after a countdown 5,4,3,2,1 SPLATT.
Nov 17th:-
Ashia brought along William today and Steph came with Robyn. Also Poppy and Mum, Georgie joined us on this beautiful sunny winter day. We had planned to go to ‘flat camp’; but as we wandered through the sun-drenched valley we looked over at ‘that area’, in shade, and decided to stay in the light.

We felt warm and happy. We enjoyed a lovely picnic and jasmine tea. Everyone made magic string and tied it to short sticks of hazel. A gibbous moon was in the blue sky and we talked about knowing where the sun was by looking at the moon. Ladybirds visited our camp, we found mushrooms and watched a pair of hunting buzzards. We agreed to remember today’s weather in the coming weeks of more challenging conditions. Leo and Rosie led us home.

Nov 10th:-

After a smooth operation at the meeting place, we all arrived safely at the field of freedom. Twenty of us including FIVE men. WOW.

Climbing with great skill over a stile we made our way down some higgledy-piggledy steps into the valley. We arrived at a cross-roads; some of us went down the easy way, most of the men chose the steep slope. Adventure.

Jack enjoyed following the tracks made by cattle and other humans. The path-ways led us to a beautiful oak tree where we gathered acorns, some of which were sprouting after a mild start to winter.

The children had spotted some steps in the trees; up we went and made our camp by an ancient walled area, with a pretty ash tree. Charlie, Indra’s Dad, cut a pole of hazel to make a seat for the rope swing. Leo was the first on to test it, and was pulled up high. Some of the children enjoyed climbing the walls and were higher up than the adults.

The fire was going well and we had hot drinks with our picnic. The ground was strewn with stones and boulders, but gradually everyone became acclimatised to the environment. We soon had to pack up and stroll back. Everyone helped each other get home safely.

Nov 3rd:-

We were joined today by three generations of a lovely new family: Young Robyn and Billie with Mum, Susie and Grandad Alan..

It was trying to be sunny but was more grey. We were trying to meet at a beautiful place but weren’t quite. After safely crossing the road, with the roar of heavy vehicles on the by-pass, we walked beside a beautiful autumnal show from a bank of young beech trees with their gold and bronzes leading us up to the field of freedom. Once through the kissing gate Jack and Ben immediately set about exploration and play.

Jack traversed the edge of a steep hill and all the adults helped him everyone safely down the bridle way. An idyllic view opened up in front of us and we strolled into the lush, green valley. Cattle grazed over the way and stories were told about being invaded by cows. We climbed up a slippery bank and set our camp.

There were no low branches strong enough for the rope swing so some of us had a game of tug-o-war which was started Leo. Jack and his brother climbed a mu-slide leading up to an ancient field maple who’s roots made shapes for imaginative play. “Can I go in the boat?” With Ben half way up his brother roly-poly’d treacherously past. Then he went up and did it all again.

We made a small fire away from the mud slide. Everyone collected sticks the sizes of String Pencil and Thumb. Susie helped me start the fire with a flint and blade. All the children practiced identifying where the back of the fire was and carefully putting on fuel. We talked about being calm and safe.

I cut walking sticks for Robyn, Billy, and Josh, who’s hazel had a v-shape on the top... a proper walking stick.

There was a lovely birthday celebration for Jack and Ben. We even had the Stevie Wonder version which I enjoyed singing with Rosie.

The drizzle turned into a deluge ending our time at camp. We all helped each other up a short cut and came out on the lane. The rain made streams down the hill. I joined Jayne and Jack in some puddle-splashing and then everyone was in puddles and experiencing the extremes of the weather and the PLAY. We all enjoyed shouting encouragement to Sarah and Josh; to which Sarah playfully said she couldn’t hear. 1,2,3 SARAH! JOSH. As a team, we stuck together for a safe road crossing. Ben let me give him a shoulder ride back to the cars. Thoroughly drenched but happy.

explorer day, mixed group of 5-10 yr olds, Wednesday 30th November 2011

2011-11-30T10:00:00.001Z

A six hour adventure in the countryside for children. Scroll down for photos.

We had our first adventure pushing through a beech forest. Some of us saw badger fur. We had a fruit snack sitting in the sun. "I like coming out in the countryside," said Finlay. Boys enjoyed throwing sticks for Rosie. We scrambled down through a wood, Adam telling us about danger of dead wood and pointing out young elder trees. Barney found some of nature's treasure- a badger's skull. We stopped to cut hazel for walking sticks. We settled down to peel bark off. A buzzard flew overhead, mewing. Off we went, onto the sunny side of the valley. We dared each other to step in cow pats. On and up we went. Adam saved a sheep which was stuck in barbed wire. At last we arrived at camp, in a woodland. Adam made a cooking fire. Jacques and Ivan made 'Delta Camp' with their own fire. They toasted jellybeans. Caleb and Jacob made a tent and Barney helped and made a campfire next to it. A hammock is set up. We had a feast of sausages, cheese, bread and ketchup. The others made 'Camp Bastion.' It has a rope swing. We did woodwork and decorating. Giles does 5 finger weaving. A pale light filters through the trees onto the leafy forest floor. We packed up, finishing off sausages and marshmallows. We visited the bunkers on the way home. "We claim this bunker ours!" Theo said. " I've found a bone!" John said. We've barricaded ourselves up." Jacques and Ivan. "Retreat!"

Best bits:- James - making the fire; Giles - at the camp; John - camp; Ivan - roasting jelly babies; Giles - at the camp; Caleb - all of it; Theo - everything, I liked all of it; Rachel - the walking; Adam - coming down the steep slope, sliding in the mud; Jacques - probably making a fire and making Delta camp; Barney - the new camp; Finlay - urr...all of it; Oskar - playing armies right now; Rowan - umm...making the fire and having marshmallows and making the sticks; Ben - dunno...fire probably; Jacob - building the tent and having my own fire....with a little help.

Olivia's explorer party, turning 10, Sat 26th Nov 2011

2011-11-26T10:00:00.000Z

A long walk to top camp, then the reward of food and lots of different activities. Scroll down for photos.
Essentially we all had muddy, noisy fun. Mushroom finding, fire, food, screams, weaving, swinging, mud sliding, chatting.
Best bits:- Kate - sausages and mud; Polly - arriving at camp and doing stuff; Bryony - weaving; Jess - sausages, marshmallows and mud; Eloise - falling in mud; Alex - peeling off sticks; Georgia - marshmallows and mud; Madeleine - weaving, sticks and clay mud; Olivia - mud and peeling sticks; Martha - falling down onto the cow pat; Maddie - all of it; Aimie - unknown
Camp:- Top camp; Leaders:- Edward and Barney; Parents:- David and Jane

after school, Thursdays in November 2011

2011-11-24T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with children aged between 5 and 11 at Upper Swainswick House. Scroll down for diaries.

24th Nov:-
Everyone sat together to enjoy a nice calm tea, with a challenge to be quiet. Anyone breaking the silence had to do Elvis impressions as a fore fit. Outside Seb and Keelan played rugby, football and wrestling until it was pitch dark,.
Inside Rachel was having a massive game of marbles with Mateo and four others.
A delicious smell was coming from the kitchen. Louise was helping Phoebe, Dylan, Theo and Pippa to make jam tarts.

17th Nov:-
A dry bright play session. Arthur and Theo made some chocolate rocky road cakes. Phoebe and Dylan enjoyed a game of draughts. Barney had a geat game of marbles with Harper, Seb, Hendric, Phoebe and Dylan. We have four rescued (exbattery) hens enjoying new freedom in the garden. It is great to see them enjoying the soil and space to roamm. A bonfire was lit outside on request, but those who came out didn't want to wear coats so everyone ended up inside. Seb and Barney finished off the club with a game of Quoridor and Jenga.

10th Nov:-
What a dynamic club today. Two boys went at it with the boxing gloves and had to be separated. There was a peace meeting, at which harmony was restored.
There was then a fun battle around the tower, before a football game. Seb, Keelan and Jack beat Arthur ad Barney 3 - 1. Good fair game.
As the light faded and the full moon rose people did stunts on scooters on the patio.
Inside Edward was making pom poms with Harper and Theo.
Great play and everyone got involved in the moment.

3rd Nov:-
What a splendid after school Autumnal session. The sky was orange and blue and a double rainbow graced the sky. A little chill around now so coats encouraged for all to wear. Pippa, Sonny and Phoebe had fun on the trolley riding on the grass. A football match took place with, Barney, Theo, Hendric (first game of football), Jack and Arthur. Seb, Harper, Keelan and Hendric had a little boxing fight. Then they pretended to do the long jump and they found the grass a little slippy. A fire was burning in the area where the maple trees grow. A nice glow on a dark night. Indoor games Quoridor enjoyed by Theo, Sonny and Seb. A nice fire is lit in the living room, very cosy.

after school, Wednesdays in November 2011

2011-11-23T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club held in the upper swainswick house's garden and house. Scroll down for diaries.

23rd Nov:
Barney organised Arthur, Liam, Joe and another boy for a rugby match, they had a scrum. "Crouch, touch, pause, ENGAGE!" I heard Barney coaching. There were some conversions with Joe making a successful conversion. In the art studio Isobel and Emma did art and even drew on their faces with charcoal - looking like chimney sweeps, they raced round the garden afterwards in the fading light. There were some nice outcomes in the art room. Jack and Toby got involved. The club finished with scooting on the paving stones.

16th Nov:
"What, no coats?", asked Barney of some of the children. Once properly fed and equipped for the crisp, misty outdoors, some boys played a game of war using the red and black tubes for guns. There were forcefields, aliens and running. "It's like halo". Hide and Seek tag. In the studio there were various artistic projects going on. Finlay painted. Isobel and Emma drew a treasure map together. Liam also painted. Inside there were marble games and a 'Bagatelle' tournament with Jack recording the points.

9th Nov:-
Barney facilitated a lovely game of football, with Edmund getting 'man of the match' and Liam showing particularly good sportsmanship. In the workshop afterwards there was green woodworking and Joe did some pole lathing for the first time. He selected a log, split it and then made a baton, a cylindrical shape. Meanwhile George and Fin were doing art in the studio with Julie and Rachel. Isobel was indoors with Rebecca and when more people came in there was a big game of 'twister'.

2nd Nov:-
Isobel, Liam and Arthur had a first sitting for tea. Edward had a friend to visit who he knew from university, Riaz from India. When the outdoor crew went in for second sitting they asked him questions while consuming their bread and spread. "Are you Indian?" "yes", "Is it hot there?" "yes in summer", "What's your job?" "hospitality" and "What's your sport?" "swimming". Back out the boys all played a game of chase and war. George and Finlay got the tools form Edward to make something in the workshop. Isobel layed in the lounge and played games before going to art and doing a painting of "Munchin land". With the light fading fast Edmund and Toby headed inside. Finlay went to do art with Julie and Joanna in the black hole. Jack and Joe braved the rapidly dipping temperature, relaxing in the hammock and looking up to the twilight sun.

Megan's explorer party, turning 5, 19th November 2011

2011-11-19T18:00:00.000Z

A 4 hour adventure in the countryside and then back to the garden for picnic and more play. Group of 6 children.

Megan, together with friends Phoebe, Lauren, Anna and Thomas arrived at Swainswick for a small celebration of Megan's birthday. It was unseasonally warm...a beautiful day. We explored the garden firstly; looking for snails, spiders' webs and then the chickens. We smelt a few different smells like lavender and fennel. We looked for frogs in the small pond...nothing there but pond weed...yuck everyone thought!
Into the village next with Megan deciding to travel north. So we went north up Blacksmith Lane, then down Kent Lane. We looked for interesting things and put them in the collecting box held by Lauren. Megan also had an excellent collecting box with a magnifying lens as well. We eventually got down to a huge old oak tree, where we looked around for acorns. On to find hazels nuts, try a few sloe berries (which really should be called blue berries!). Karen had some emergency chocolate to get us up the slope again to get back to base.
Once back at the garden base, we got the fire going again and played in the garden. The children peeled sticks and decorated them with colourful threads and ripstop to make flags. Ruth hid some animals to findWe ate sausages, fruit, biscuits and then Megan showed us "Smores," for which she gave very clear instructions on how to make them. (Jason and Lauren and Anna's Dad made the marshmallow sticks.)
We made a small den with a capsized boat, using the flags too. Megan had fun, as did her friends.
Leader: Edward

Swainswick Youth Club, Autumn 2011

2011-11-18T16:30:00.000Z

Swainswick Youth Club is a group of 10 year 7 and year 8 boys who meet on Friday nights and were led by Marcus Muabe, up until early October. Written by Marcus, Rachel and Edward. Scroll down for photos.

Fri 18th Nov:-
Only 5 boys this week and we had a very gentile meal with masses of pizza, only 1 was burnt. The boys then watched the disaster movie called 2012. It was a bit much for 2 of them so they went off and played games. The new timetable for the year was given out.

Fri 11th Nov:-
The boys all came to our house for a game of 'Man Hunt' in the garden in the dark and then a planning meeting for the new timetable of events up to sometime in March.

Fri 21st Oct:-
It was George's birthday bash with a full on sleep out under the workshop roof, sumptuous supper, BB Gun warfare game the next day up at Harry's.

Fri 7th Oct:-
We met in Alice Park for a game of football with Mike acting as the referee. There was only about 5 people in the park. The score was equal.

Fri 29th:-
Sunny day today. Every arrived quite early. Our activity today was cob building which the boys did so well. In the building process, the whole event turn into a mud fight games, throwing mud at each other. Everyone got muddy. Then there was night football. Harry Ben and Elvin played against Dylan, Tobias and Arthur. The game was a great one until it was time to go home.

Fri 16th:-
We had a lovely day. Everyone arrived quite early with their bikes. Ethan's bike was too small so he was given Marcus' bike, meanwhile Marcus used Rachel's bike. All was set as we hit the road. Along the way Marcus had an accident. He slightly crashed on Georges' bike, he tried to balance up his bike head but he failed. He fell over on the grass and his bike fell in water. Some men from a nearby boat came with a long stick and took out the bike. Everyone surrounded him and one old lady made a tea offer to him, " Would you mind some tea?". He had just a little bruise. From thereon he rode on a wet bike. Where he fell was named 'Marcus Marine', and the bike was named ' The marine bike'. We continue our tour and suddenly found ourselves into town. Everyone was brave enough to cycle on the highway. On our way back we passed along Marcus marine and finally arrived to where we started. It was fun.

Fri 9th:-
Great day we had today at Harry's house. Our event of the day was BB gun battle. Before that we had a feast of pizza, drinks, biscuits and sausages. We had a brief game of football before setting off to the battle field. It was great at the battle field, we paired up in two groups, each group took cover in their base and there was a serious gun battle as each group struggled to capture the flag of their opponent. Arthur fought and his gun got broken, Harry was shut in the head. Had it been a real battle many would have been dead because Tobias Dylan were shut many times. We had great fun until it was time to set off.

Fri 2nd:-
What a nice day the Lord had made, we all rejoiced and were glad in it. Boys all back from their summer holiday with lots of new and funny stories to tell. Everyone arrived on time. Some were invited for a sleep over. We had lots of fun. We had pizza and drinks - eating chatting and laughing with each other. Thereafter, we went down the garden field for a rugby match which was quite fun. Everyone later settled in for a movie which lasted for 2 hours, titled 'Knight and Day'. It was fun.

Paragon School, Term 2 2011

2011-11-16T22:00:00.000Z

16 Nov:-
We had a good time today with a variety of activities to do. I had made a "Nativity" crib earlier on out of reclaimed wood. So from this example there was an evolution of ideas which the children copied, from boxes, post boxes, A4 in trays, a bird box and a few redesigned Nativity buildings. Others practised their cob skills and pop corn making skills.
Everyone was good at the sawing, but nailing was rather more difficult, with more practise needed! Popcorn cooking is an art that they are learning, again realising that the pan can get too hot and burn the contents.
Lots of learning opportunities and lines of enquiry followed...this kept us all very busy, totally ignoring the fact it was quite cold. When everyone had gone, a little robin came along to inspect and hopefully enjoyed pop corn too!! (We were meant to be eating pheasant, but no butcher had any...anyone reading this know of a good source of them?)

9 Nov:-

dragging material

driving in wedges

close attention to detail

m mallows

action!

the workshop

shavehorse and chopping block

IMY's

Jemima's

2 Nov:-

We had a great time working together making a slippery bank in the Paragon grounds much safer to walk on. In 2 teams we made spikers, weavers, steppers and worked quickly building our steps and walkway. Everyone got into the swing of the team ethos creating a much safer walkway for Paragon students and visitors. No doubt there would be more costly solutions, but this will work...and everyone in 3G is part of it!

A marshmallow reward!!

You can see the basic steps and woven walk way. Better still, see if you can find it in the school and tell me!

A beautiful November morning; falling leaves, musty smells, humid, warm air. A good morning to look around the Paragon grounds with the Year 5 class, check the steps we made with Year 3 last week, cut some material to work with and then enjoy the work shop. We practised sawing the fire wood on the saw horses and using vices. Some used the shave horses to make wedges for splitting a great log, others used the chisels to practise carving out their initials in wood. The brazier was kept going so we could cook popcorn and marshmallows. Everyone worked well together and I hope became more confident in using the various tools.

after school, Tuesdays in November 2011

2011-11-15T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with lots of different activities including cooking and non-motor vehicle usage. Written by Rachel and Rebecca

22nd Nov:-
Sue helped us today as Edward is on jury duty. She says, "Ben showed me his skills on the trolley - very fast but very in control of his cart, including going down backwards!! I timed him doing the middle path. Arthur and I had a little game of football - passing the ball to each other. Then there was some apple throwing between the club children and some children over the wall! Things got out of hand and it had to be stopped. The boys were very caring when Arthur got hit by and apple. Then when the football boys arrived they decided to play hide and seek tag. 7 boys all played together. Isaac's torch was very helpful. Scooting on the patio to finish". Inside Amy and Alex had a hilarious game with marbles and imaginary aliens. Isobel, Tobias and Rebecca made biscuits and decorated them with icing. Alexander and Amy joined in at the end. Lovely club.

15th Nov:-
Not very many children today, even less for the first hour as four had football club. Everyone went inside for some tea and then some went back outside. The regular baker Isobel has made lots of brownies and lots of cakes so we decided it was time for a change. We found a biscuit recipe so that they could cut them out into shapes. Amy, Alexander and Isobel took it in turns weighing out ingredients. Unfortunately this had to go in the freezer for 40 minutes so the children didn't get time to cut them out and cook them. Meanwhile outside Arthur, Ned, James and Ben played on the trolley, racing down the slope on it. When Charlie, Isaac, Ollie and Jack arrived they played on the race track. Now it is dark they are wearing or carrying torches. A game of chase developed round the garden in the dark. Lastly they came up and scooted on the patio.

8th Nov:-
I spent the majority of the club with Amy and Ned making a bonfire. They played all sorts of games around the fire - the last being protecting the chickens from the smoke by waving apple tree prunings into the smoke to 'cut' it. I could hear some older boys enjoying the race track - going down it as fast as they could on various vehicules. Inside Rebecca was cooking choc brownies with Isobel and others. Alexander has become an avid reader and sat reading in the sitting room, even forsaking his tea!

after school, Mondays in November 2011

2011-11-14T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with an outdoor focus, with children from different schools in Bath. Scroll down for diaries.

28th Nov:-
All the children played hide & seek in the garden for an hour, they had lots of fun. Fleur made a Christmas garland chain out of coloured card. Ollie and Jack played bagatelle. Twister was played by Dylan, Phoebe and Jack. Phoebe fell early and Dylan took Ollie to a noble draw. With Jack as the spinner he was unable to set them a challenge that they couldn't do.

14th Nov:-
Barney's game of tag went down like a lead balloon! Lots of fun on the zip wire, Hendrix, Danny and Phoebe. Inside we had a science lesson on how CO2 is created and Dylan, Phoebe and Fleur really enjoyed talking about trees expelling oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. We talked about photosynthesis and plants relationship with humans and how we work together; We give out CO2 which trees absorb and they give O2 back to us. A few children are finding putting on coats a challenge they prefer to play without. We finished off with races, Danny ran really fast.

Henry's explorer party, turning 8, Sat 12th Nov 2011

2011-11-12T22:00:00.001Z

A group of children walk down into the valley and then back up to deadwood camp. Scroll down for photos.

We ate the very, very, very last blackberries of the season. We tiptoed through the grumpy man's garden and came into a steep, green valley. We found a geo-cache box, put in a poppy and Henry chose a silver dolphin/ Daniel put in 5p and took a chinese charm. On we went. It is misty. "It's a hollow oak tree!" "He's in! He's in!" Are there bats in there? It is dark inside. CLive was the first to venture in - up to his waist. Everyone else had a go - "It looks really scary." On we go, after Fruit and Biscuits, stopping to taste sloe berries - without making a 'sour face!' "Ever since we got into the wild it's been really good fun," Joshua. A boggy bit, "Now that is horrible". Up we climbed up to the misty camp. "serious explorers, we are on a mission." We cut from a hazel tree a long pole. "W are surviving!" "keep going". At last we got to dead wood camp. The boys played 'serious explorers, series 2, junior explorers'. There are 2 rope swings, a hammock and a camp fire made by the parents. George and Finlay made a base, with an escape route. There's a pile of bombs (imaginary). There is a lots of swinging. Slaves brought hot dog sandwiches to joshua relaxing in the hammock. We had a feast of sausages, cheese, bread and ketchup. Daniel and Georgia had a den with criss-cross of brambles to stop others getting in. Clive made cheese toasties. Andy made a carved end to sticks the children had peeled. Swinging continued. Catherine helped some to decorate sticks with coloured threads. The sun came out. We toasted marshmallows. Put on war paint - like stone age. We left and walked on. The children are 'a tribe', there are Indian war cries. George gave Finlay a piggy back.

Best bits:- Daniel - rope swing and making the spears; Georgia - I liked the rope swing and playing with Daniel; Joshua - when we were making the spears and stuff and when i banged into the rope swing; Andy - the sausages! sharpening the sticks; Finlay - making the den; Catherine - the fire, watching the children being o relaxed; Henry - making my spear and playing on the swings; Harry - going inside the hollow tree and making the fire ... and making the flag; Clive - the campfire possibly, I haven't lit one of those in 25 years; George - when me and Finlay made a den

Leader:- Rachel; Camp:- deadwood camp; Parents:- Clive, Catherine and Andy

Henry's explorer party, turning 6, Sat 12th Nov 2011

2011-11-12T22:00:00.000Z

A small car ride and nice walk along to top camp with a group of boys and girls. Scroll down for photos.

We drove in the land rover up to Charmy Down; We really enjoyed squirting Alex and Anna's car! Walked along looking for pheasants, then onto the aerodrome. Explored the bunkers: lots of excitement. Henry suggested we hid like pheasants (something like that!). We reached the bunkers and played: Fin was English - the rest Germans! We came across a dog walker who let Henry throw the ball. We found some beach nuts and put them on our fingers and gave each other a scratch! We explored through the woods to top camp which everyone was excited about. Water play clay cranes; Barney was there waiting with a nice fire and the sausages cooking. Alex helped with the swing while Anna helped with the water play. Jonty really like the engineering, pipes, etc. Jasper enjoyed the hammock. Joe, Freya and ALice swung a lot, some sawed hazel poles and peeled the bark off to make their walking sticks: (which help them be wise!). Alex made the marshmallow sticks (really well!). We had fun!

Best bits:- Paul - water play and marshmallows; Alice - game of pretend fire; Zoe - game of pretend fire; Sebastian - pot making; Freya - game of pretend fire; Jasper - marshmallows; Jonty - making water skate; Fin - everything; Henry - water, pumps and food; Ollie - having marshmallows

explorer day, Tue 1st Nov 2011

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000Z

An explorer day setting off from Paragon and exploring the surrounding woods. Scroll down for photos.

The ground and surrounding were soaking with rain fall and morning dew, but we were blessed with wonderful winter sunshine. After dividing up the provisions, we set off on an adventure walk. Everyone climbed the steep edges of the old railway track. We discovered clumps of green/grey mushrooms. Barney identified it as Verdigris Toadstool.

Best bits:- Tom - umm... probably going on the walk; Benjie - if you wanna know mine it's everything and marshmallows Danny - the walk and making a fire; Oli - making my own mallet; Dominic - i think it was doing the sharpening; Guy - probably I liked collecting things for the fire, being around the fire; Thomas - setting up fires.

after school, Mondays in October 2011

2011-10-31T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with the focus on outdoor play. Written by Edward or Louise.

Monday 31st:-

We had a pumpkin on the table as it is halloween. Rachel lit up the path with empty tins and tea lights in side. It was so pretty. A huge pumpkin was at the gate made be rachel's mum. "spooky." Fleur played a chase game with Phoebe. Dylan and Fleur picked some flowers, "white ones." The children enjoyed the club today because it got dark at 5pm because we out the clocks back. All the children played a good game of chase and Phoebe used her soft toy and spun it around like it had magic power. Ollie and Barney played footie 2 - 2. "I liked everything," said Dylan. "It was good excercise," said Finlay. As club came to an end we were joined by bats in the garden, and we discussed their use of sonar.

Monday 17th:-

Leila, Finlay, Jack, Ollie, Fleur, Danny and Dylan rolled down the hill in a giant box. Phoebe did some friendship bracelet weaving and some woodwork with Barney. Danny, Oliver, Jack and Hayden played rugby. It was Leila's last day, we hope she will come back. Leila played lego with Danny and the marble game "screwball scramble".

Monday 10th:

A warm and windy day, from the south west: although I had lit a woodburning stove in the middle play room to take the edge of the not cold but not warm feeling! Barney was brilliant as ever with teaching sportsmanship to some of the keener footballers. he confided in me that it's hard work this constant theme of fairness, but in the long run it will benefit the boys. I'm sure of that too! Dylan and Arthur joined in the game, whilst others decided to cook with Louise. Danny and Phoebe wanted to work with wood, as Edward (me) finished off a froe handle (at the 3rd attempt!) Barney came to the workshop as Jack, Phoebe and Danny picked some raspberries...nearly the last of the autumn variety. Danny suggested apple and raspberry juice which sounded like a good combination. I watched one of the younger children, quite by accident, pour the tub of berries on the floor, as they negotiated their way through the canes. It is interesting the relationship of balance, holding something and maintaining its equilibrium. At tea there was some beautiful singing from Leila, as Fleur looked on. Finlay left early to bike down to the dentist with his mum...well done him! Dylan served cupcakes...another triumph. Well done the cooks!!

Monday 3rd:

It was another hot day; in many ways too hot for this time of year. Nevertheless we all enjoyed playing in the garden. A new guest came up from Swainswick called Fleur. She enjoyed looking around the house and garden, followed by some weaving on the top lawn, helping and watching Louise and Barney. Finlay and Danny made a good game of building a den under an old boat, whilst Oli trooped around playing chase with both Finlay and Danny. Jack was at the dentist, so the football was led by Arthur and Oli; shooting the ball. Dylan and Phoebe wanted to do some woodwork in the newly set up shelter, so they worked on shaving sticks. Phoebe also snacked on a few raspberries, picked with Louise.

Louise added that earlier on Danny and Dylan enjoyed a game of chess, to relax after school and that Leila and Fleur made a slider out of wool.

explorer day, Mon 31st Oct 2011

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000Z

A gentle walked up to the top of the valley and then back down to ditch camp.

Today we gently walked up to an old road, which is now a ditch, possibly an old quarry track from the 1600's. Before this we saw some horses and some ponies. We stopped for biscuits and fruit with a great view of the land. Everyone was happy. Martha pretended to knit Edward's jersey. Pippa made sure everyone was OK. John found stick which he was pleased about. Rosie chatted with Pippa. Florence, Molly and Lily joined in the conversations too We reached camp. Everyone keen to try and do everything. Boys had their fire - did it well. Girls had a swing and fire. Lots of stick work, threads. Barney and Edward were kept very busy with everyone's needs!

Best bits:- John - making the sticks; Tom - making daggers; Ben - sticks; Florence - on the swing; Rosie - playing with Pippa; Pippa - swing in the wood and exploring; Martha - swing; Molly - seeing the horses and braids; Lily - finger looping

Camp:- 'ditch' camp
Leaders:- Edward and Barney

explorer day, ages 9 - 12, Fri 28th Oct 2011

2011-10-28T10:00:00.001Z

Ye olde tales of adventure. Scroll down for photos.

We pushed through a forest of young beech trees, being bathed by wet leaves. We walked into Chilcombe bottom and clambered up a steep slope, sat in the sunshine, mist below us and had a fruit snack. On we walked up and up , then we had another break looking down on Bath and Solsbury Hill. 200 metres high, we imagined zip wires taking us down to fudge shops in town! We cut Hazel poles earlier and planted hazel nuts and acorns. Edward pointed out a moose or 'Mangolian death worm' in a beech tree, We pushed along a bramble path. We passed a 'dwarf coffin, Mr and Mrs Charlie, a.k.a. David Attenborough. We came across a rope swing - shriek of delight we turned up at our lunch destination. James and Edward went off to make their shelter but returned and said they needed walls and a roof. Herne then pointed out you needed foundations to make a den. Edward lit a fire that would cook some of the food that we had brought with us on our trek. Two teams said they wanted their own fires so Rachel went with one team and Edward with the other team. Hazel swings, Aidan swings. Hazel makes flatbread. everyone makes industrial wood stuff. Play continues, sun is dappled. The children find a pump and start water running along gutters. Some go off in search of the mud slide. Hazel makes marshmallow sandwiches. We struggled out of the woods up onto a sunny plain. James pointed out a footprint of an animal which had been following us from the start - a kamikaze pheasant. Everyone is sacred of the pheasant... then we saw it. We tried sloe berries.

Best bits:- Herne - making the spreader; James - hmm, getting stalked by the giant... thing!; Joseph - probably making the spear; Charlie - umm, the great sayings; Ed - when we were at the campsite carving and mud slide; Hazel - cooking the bread; Aidan - making my spoon; Sebastian - umm... probably the mud slide; Edward (leader) - being on the edge...?; Rachel - Charlie's running commentary at the camp, it was funny.

Great sayings:- Jamie the more fires we have, the greater the chance of survival; Herne - the pen is mightier than the sword, but when you are fighting to the death a sword in probably more useful; Herne - A can of beans is more accurate than a tomohawte' Aidan - eat or be eaten; Joseph - I am eating my sausage; Herne - I think this is a good size, don't you; Rachel - I can knit myself out of any situation; Herne - OMFG, oh my far-away goodness; Herne - That's a waste of good vomit; Charlie - you will live and you will die; Herne - wow that's a big stick; Joseph - we're still alive after that long journey of doom

Camp:- Top camp
Leaders:- Edward and Rachel

explorer day, ages 7 - 10, Fri 28th Oct 2011

2011-10-28T10:00:00.000Z

A walk through the countryside and up to 'half way' camp. Scroll down for photos.

As we prepared to set off the mist sat in the valley like creamy soup in a bowl. The sun lit up the falling fog around us.
After crossing two roads we walked up a lane. By the gate into the "field of freedom". A farmer was getting six young cows into the back of the lorry using strong words and a stick. We had a snack in a field before going through a steep wood. We gathered hazel to help our journey another stop at an oak tree looking at acorns, and sprouting hazel nuts.
Up the 'thousand steps' to half way camp. Rope swings, two fires, whittling, threads, hammock. Beautiful weather. Peace time quickly passed and we packed up put out the fires and headed back.

Best bits:- Barney - seeing the female buzzard; Lucy - making my perfect marshmallow sticks; Eden - decorating the stick; Max - making and throwing my spear; Antonia - on the hammock; Maddie - making my sticks; Sophie - making our own fire; Ruby - probably making my head-dress

Camp:- 'half way' camp
Leaders:- Barney and Lucy

explorer day, ages 7 - 10, Thu 27th Oct 2011

2011-10-27T10:00:00.002Z

A journey through the countryside to a camp, where lots of activities took place.

We set off from the house, down the road and up an overgrown lane. We collected some mint, ate some blackberries and picked some honesty. We walked up to the road, through the woods and down to the top of valley. We stopped and had some fruit and mini rolls, kindly shared by Alejandro and Rhys. Another small walk and we arrived at camp, 'deadwood camp'. Mud everywhere! Lunch was set up an the fire, eventually, lit. The popcorn was put on the fire and everyone watched it popping. Soon after the rain stopped. Barney cut some wood and some boys made bashers and decorated them. Later on there was a sing song around the fire, including 'the meatball song', 'the apples and bananas song' and he favourite 'the irish rugby anthem'.
'Who is the muddiest' competition (judged by Barney) - 1st place Tycho / Oliver & 2nd place Boris.

Best bits:- Boris - eating a lot of food; Tycho - getting muddy; Ben - marshmallows; Finn - making the bashers; Sebastian - rolling down the hill; Oliver - the camp; Benedict - uhh... all of it; Rhys - going up the muddy slope to get wood cos i got muddy; Alejandro - going to camp; Ollie - walking through big bits of mud

Leaders:- Barney and Rebecca
Camp:- 'Deadwood' camp

explorer day, ages 9 - 12, Thu 27th Oct 2011

2011-10-27T10:00:00.001Z

A long journey with a group of boys around the countryside.

A mega journey through the landscape. The boys got to know each other and chatted nicely. We were tested by some 'wild horses'. The mother stamped her foot at us, protecting her foal. We decided to creep around through a hedge until we were well clear. We arrived at camp (the original bottom camp, now inhabited by pigs). The tarp went up to create a dry space in the incessant drizzle. Edward decided his poncho was wetter inside than out. With a cosy fire going we chatted, ate, laughed, whittled and enjoyed ourselves. Tristan, Ivan and Jaque built a den. Will made wooden utensils. Charlie and Louis chatted and played with the fire. Jack helped with the fire and worked with Charlie and Louis. The sky kept dripping as we set off for home at 3, disappointing for some that we had to go.

Best bits:- Jacque - Den; Ivan - den; Oscar - making ultimate cheese pitta; Jack - fire; Charlie - cooking; Tristan - den; Louis - walking around and cooking; Will - cutlery set; Sam - swing

Leaders:- Edward and Lucy
Camp:- 'Bottom' camp

explorer day, ages 5 - 7, Thur 27th Oct 2011

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000Z

An explorer day in the countryside around Swainswick with 9 young children. No photos, too wet.

We set off, grey skies and spits of rain. I got prickled by boys with 'rhino noses'. We crossed the 'cow pat' field. Rosie ran on ahead. We entered a woodland. "It's freaky" someone said. We had a fruit snack. Drops of rain dripped on our heads. Felix hung his bag up and got stuck up a steep bank. We moved on, clambering down through the wet wood. There is lots of dead wood. Hannah notices how some dark wood looks like a shiny black slug. We cut fresh hazel poles. Children enjoyed the exertion of pulling the poles out of the tree. We sat down and peeled our sticks. "I'm a hunter", Yvan, pointing with his spear. We stumbled and slipped along a muddy path, full of fox holes. We arrived at our super dooper cosy camp site. Actually it was raining and it wasn't until we'd put our shelter up and we're eating lunch that it was cosy. There's a big tree to climb along. We had a woodland picnic, different combinations of sausages, cheese, bread and ketchup. Freya kindly shared her nice cakes with us. The rain poured on. Our camp has mudslides. The rope swings went up. Max was concerned about the creaking nouse when he was on it. The rain seemed to slow it's drop-rate - pitter patter on the dead leaves. Bastian, Yvan, Max and I had a nice game tickle chase, "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Hannah had a nice game of throw with Rosie. Freya, Anna, Felix and Sophia really enjoyed the fire - heating up the ends of their sticks. We had marshmallows. Bastian shared his veggie one. Hannah, Freya and Anna had a hilarious game of slipping over on purpose on a muddy bank, Oscar poured more water on!

Best bits:- Max - having food, going on the swing and being tickled; Yvan - umm, urr, umm... lighting my stick on the fire; Sophia - sliding down the mud when Oscar was laughing at me; Freya - GETTING MUDDY... GETTING MUDDY... GETTING MUDDY!; Anna - stepping in cow pat, peeling my stick and falling over in the mud; Felix - playing on the swings, eating marshmallows and having a look at the view too; Bastian - playing the tickle chase game; Oscar - setting the tent up; Hannah - marshmallows, peeling my stick and going on the swing

Leaders:- Sue, Rachel and Rosie (the dog)

explorer day, ages 7 - 14, Wed 26th Oct 2011

2011-10-26T10:00:00.001Z

A long walk in the countryside near to Swainswick and stopping to set up camp.

A big walk up to Solsbury Hill through a derelict wood then through a hedge into an open field: amazing views with everyone chatting and having fun. We could see Isobel and Harry's roof from where we were. Down to the story tree then trough a really difficult bit of land. Full of tall grasses, hammocks of ants and brambles. We then disappeared off the face of the earth. Through another hedge soon to find camp - near some big pigs. Totally exhausted for a moment we ate ate lunch, having made a fire. Sausages cooked, flat breads made on a hot stone, the rope swing in full action. Everyone busy; Kori and Matt set their own fire and whittled sticks; Abbey - cooking flat breads playing with Isobel; Isobel and Jay swinging; Max and Sebastian swinging; Ellie enjoyed whittling and the hammock; Ollie whittled; Alex and Harry busy whittling; Joe played with Sebastian on the swing. There was a good atmosphere, playful, industrious, inquisitive and kind. The sun shone, blue sky wind in the trees. Marshmallows and home time.

Best bits:- Jay - the walk / everything; Alex - staying at den, walking and having food; Sebastian - everything; Max - everything; Joe - all of it, cutting wood; Harry - spear making; Isobel - playing on swing; Abbey - the camp; Ellie - hammock and whittling; Ollie - making it to camp and carving; Kori - fire; Matthew - fire making

Leaders:- Edward, Barney and Rebecca

explorer day, ages 5 - 7, Wed 26th Oct 2011

2011-10-26T10:00:00.000Z

A walk in the countryside around Swainswick, finding a new camp. Scroll down for photos.

Soon we were in a field, sun shining and we dipped into a sweet woodland, very steep, We had a fruit snack and threw sticks for Rosie. The air is still. We made our way down the steep slope. Ted, Jasper and Jacob are first and run up and down a grassy bank while they wait. A light rain falls for a few minutes and then stops. Sun again. We clamber up the side of the valley into a line of hazel trees. We cut some for walking sticks. We talks about adders and wasps. As I cut some children climb up further and sit in the sun. Oscar thinks he's found a shed snake skin. We have custard creams. "On the move again!" (Will). Jacob commented as we all sped up the steepest back, Sue came in 11th and proud! Rosie has 'green ninja acorns; stuck in her fur. We decided to sit in the sun and peel the bark off our freshly cut sticks. We had a competition to create the longest strip of bark in one piece. William was in the lead, then Elsie took over fro a while and \noah was then in the lead. The world record went to Elsie. On we went along deer paths in the wood. We found a new place to camp. It has good trees for rope swings. Sue, Takato and Noah made a nice little fire. Children swung on the swings and had a good play - lots of laughing and screaming. A fresh breeze blew on us. Peeling continued. Sun shines dappling the ground. There is lots of laughter, especially round the fire and swings. Noah likes to lounge by the fire. We warm baked beans and eat them on bread. We had a woodland feast of sausages, bread, cheese and of course toasted marshmallows. All too soon the day got cooler, we looked at our watched and, oh, it was time to walk back.

Best bits:- Rosie - getting the bark off the stick; William - my best bit was going to the forests; Ted - umm... when we made our sticks; Jasper - marshmallows!; Oscar - arriving at camp; Alexander - rope swing; Noah - eating marshmallows; Elsie - peeling the stick; Takato - playing with fire; Jacob - having the marshmallows and having a fun time on the swings

Leaders:- Rachel, Sue and Rosie

Playwalks on Tuesdays meeting at Paragon School, Term 1 2011

2011-10-25T10:00:00.002Z

Kate and her son Alex joined us today as we prepared to head up to base camp where we’d spent this term. It was lovely to see the young ones so familiar with the woodland; happy and confident; they were immediately in the moment and noticed everything. Alex soon found his feet as he and mum helped each other. We had our usual rendezvous with the stream and we collected sticks on our way up the slippery slopes. When we arrived we searched for our original fire site, which was a good sign of us having hidden it well, before. Anna, Bethen and Asha arrived having made the way up by themselves. Great confidence. They brought along some sticky bracelets to collect things on. Wonderful.

We were thinking of harnessing the wind in the field above us, but the day was still and sunny so we stayed in camp. I made mallets with some children, who showed good skills splitting off shards of wood to create the handles of their mauls (Mallets made from one piece of wood).

There was lovely food and chat. We put up a rope-swing which at the end of the day became a hoist. The children were delighted to be pulled up high into the beech branches way above the on-looking adults. It was quite risky play. but the beaming smiles on their faces were unforgettable.

What a lovely term. Thanks Joshua, Reuben, Theo, Beth, Asha, Will, Thomas, Mayah, Ava, Alex and of course you ADVENTUROUS PARENTS. Great PLAY.

Oct 11th:-

Sue came along today with Mayah and Ava. We planned to do some serious cooking today; Annie had asked me to bring a toasting rack. Bethan is so interested in getting muddy and actually knelt in the stream. The children meander through dens that people have built either side of the water. We confidently made our way up the paths and were really getting familiar with the area. Arriving a\t the top, we chose a different site to set up camp. We all helped to put up a basher and make a nice cooking fire. Annie was soon toasting cheese sandwiches and Jenny heated up sausage rolls. Luxury. We made nice sticks decorated with coloured threads. Jenny walked down with Annie as Joshua was feeling a bit under-the-weather. Thomas was confident enough to stay in camp without mum and we used a needle and thread to make a natural mobile of leaves and other things from the wood floor. The children took turns at relaxing in the hammock and playing on the rope swing. Lots of nice chat and lovely cooking. We packed up and made our way back down, lead by the young explorers.

Oct 4th:-
Anna, Bethan and Asha were at the far end of the field as we arrived. Gathering together we set off for base camp. It was such a contrast in the weather to the last time Anna was there. No torrential rain today. The children got to know each other some more and were becoming friends. The adults did the same and we shared food and conversation. Anna retrieved her wooden necklace from a high branch using a long stick. We had a rope swing and a hammock. Back down by the stream the children enjoyed wading through on our way back.

Sep 27th:-
Annie was waiting with Joshua and Reuben as Margaret, Jenny and I arrived. Margaret brought along Will and Jenny brought Thomas. The children played on wooden objects, while we prepared to leave. Will had requested a visit to the stream and Joshua wanted to help make a fire. By the stream we found a metal lid and we thought that a Smurf called Grumpy might live underneath. We squeezed the seed pods of Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens Grandulifera), or Policeman's Helmet. The short, reflexed points burst with an amazing coil mechanism throwing out the seeds. We put some of the petals on our sticky cards. Across the bridge we watched the water disappear underground.

Another earth star had fruited underneath the conker tree and we saw how it’s spore sac dispersed through a whole in the top in puffs of brown dust.
Helping each other up the path, the children seemed much more comfortable than the grown-ups with the slippery slopes. We came across a rotten tree stump and found the rope from last week. Joshua carried it all the way to camp, while Will and Thomas gathered armfuls of fire wood.
The camp was quickly set up, and while people enjoyed a nice picnic I put up a rope-swing and a hammock. We had a quick safety talk about vegetable peelers and then stripped the bark from short batons of hazel, decorating them with coloured threads. Reuben reminded us that he would also like a baton of hazel. Of course. The main activity was tree bashing and we identified healthy trees and dead trees (more appropriate for bashing).
Joshua enjoyed keeping the fire going and everyone helped. A fire dug into a small pit is very economical with fuel but needs a bit more attention.
Time soon went by and we all helped to strike camp and make our way home. We arrived back looking like muddy explorers. Great.

Sep 20th:-
Just Jo, Theo and I today..Three gifts to begin.. Sticky cards for collecting fallen petals and leaves, wooden badges with our names on and a book about what to look for in Autumn.

Without wellies we chose a non-foot-soaking route across the stream. At the horse-chestnut tree we discovered ‘Earth Stars’ (Geastrum Fimbriatum); strange looking mushrooms in a star shape holding a round spore-sac.
Theo chose two sticks, as we made our way up the slippery pathway. The first one broke and became two sticks, the second stick was long like the antennae of a large beetle.
When we arrived at beech camp the area was quiet, balmy and peaceful. We calmly set about our tasks and we were soon enjoying hot drinks, cold juice and lunch of Marmite sandwiches.
We put up a rope swing and a hammock for relaxing. We hid Anna and Annie’s wooden badges in the canopy above us. Theo and Jo stripped the bark from a thin branch of hazel and we decorated it with purple wool.
When we’d packed up we explored a way up to Combe Down through a field and some lanes. We saw the post-man and met a ginger cat that followed us for a while before going off hunting. Theo had done really well with walking so far and enjoyed a shoulder ride from his Mum and I, smelling some rosemary and humming a nice tune on the way back.
We bid each other farewell and thanked one another for the walk. Powerful WORDS.

Sep 13th:-
Anna, Jo, and Annie brought along Reuben, Joshua, Theo and Beth. Eight of us four little ones and four big ones.
We set off on our first adventure, wondering if we weren’t slightly over equipped on such a sun-drenched Autumnal day.
Walking by a small stream we reached a conker tree. The ground below had been refreshingly harvested by the School’s Children. We were still able to gather a half a dozen or so. Joshua particularly enjoyed the horse chestnut tree and stayed for a while to find ‘the big one’. He decided to keep them in their spiny shells.
Up a steep path we kept on exploring until we reached ‘beach camp’, which is to be our base. (An idea that G and H suggested last term.) We were no sooner their when the heavens opened and rain began to pour.
I quickly put up a shelter and we all gathered fire wood. Covering the first small flames with my body we managed to get a lovely fire going. All the children were delighted to add fuel and there was a big search for yellow coloured fallen ash twigs, which burn well even when wet.
The shelter did it’s job but eventually everyone ventured bravely out into the rain. There was a lovely picnic with cheese biscuits and hot coffee.
What an adventure. We packed up and headed back. Reaching the stream we noticed that the rain had made it about three times deeper. All the children took turns at jumping in. Beth found out that the water was higher than her willies were tall. Her boots made a squelching noise as we arrived home.
We no longer wondered if we were slightly over equipped on such a rain drenched Autumnal day.

explorer day, ages 8 - 10, Tues 25th Oct 2011

2011-10-25T10:00:00.001Z

A walk through the countryside to camp where there was fire making and swings. Scroll down for photos.

Gorgeous sunny garden welcomed all Explorers. We had a little play and then we set off for our adventure. We had to get through low bushes to get to the open field. We got through safe and sound and refreshed ourselves with fruit, cheese and biscuits. Katie, Mac, Polly and Jemima learned to blow the grass blades. We carried on until we got to big wise climbing tree. Some people opted for a stream near by and waded in. Shortly after we spotted two birds of prey circling above our heads. We saw 3 fluffy ponies grazing in a field, they let us stroke them. On the way we collected some thistles and berries to make hedgehogs and mice. Finally we reached our base camp. There were already swings hanging from the trees. Toby was the first one to get on. Ben, James, Isaac and Hugo made their own fire. Isaac "We moved the leaves to crete a dry patch, we collected sticks, used news paper. It took us a few attempts to make the fire."
Kate, Katie, Jemima and Polly kept whizzing on the swings. hugo made a den, Ricco and Abbey sat round the fire, listing their sticks. Edward cut some walking sticks for us and we peeled them. Lenka showed jemima, Polly, Kate and Katie how to make thistle figures. We had home-made bread cooked on fire.

Best bits:- Katie - making the fire; Misha - whittling my stick; Abbey - whittling and hardening my stick; Max - peeling walking stick, eating bread; Ricco - marshmallows; Jemima - being up at the fire polace; Ben - being hilled on the swing; Isaac - everything!; Polly - everything!; James - making the fire; Hugo - making the fire; Toby - fighting-pretending to be knights, watching pigs, listening to story; Kate - everything

Leaders:- Edward, Sue and Lenka

explorer day, ages 5 - 7, Tue 25th Oct 2011

2011-10-25T10:00:00.000Z

A walk with a group of young explorers down into the valley then back up to Deadwood camp. Scroll down for photos.

We chatted about cars (traffic) and set off along the lanes. Soon we went into a church yard for a fruit snack, pear, carrot or apple. The sun was shining and air completely still. We sat under a walnut tree. Some collected nut shells. Hendric, Poppy, Sam and Oskar explored, others joined. They made a little den out of many sticks around. We went through the 'grump man's' garden. Soon we were in the valley. Tom found a geo-cache box. We all had a polo! Others limbed the willow tree, Rosie swam in the stream. We stopped at an ancient oak tree and a tree stump. Had a biscuit snack. On we went through the dewy grass - some complained of wet feet. Barney showed us elder, it has the last berries of the season on it. He showed us 'ear fungus'. Alice came came to show us, "It feels like jelly." On we went, to the "middle of nowhere." We planted an acorn! Rebecca shared out a walnut we;d found. We crossed a boggy bit, planted a walnut and pushed on up a steep slope to camp, Hendric leading us. At camp we had a cooking fire, put up 2 rope swings, peeled sticks and decorated them with coloured thread, did weaving. We had a feast of sausages, bread, cheese, baked beans and of course marshmallows. We walked back... smiling when cars went past.

Best bits:- Rosie - being let off the lead; Gabriel - having the marshmallows; Tom - urr... everything; Ben - umm, I would say... going on the swing; Sam - when i made my stick; Oskar - when i made my stick; Oscar - cooking the marshmallows; Oskar - when i swung so high up on the swing; Rosie - toasting marshmallows; Hendric - whittling and Barney doing decoration and rope swing; Alice - well when i was on the rope swing I had to jump off it and I slid all the way down; Poppy - when i toasted the marshmallows on the fire; Lily - doing the weaving with all the string

Leaders:- Rachel, Barney and Rebecca

explorer day, ages 5 - 7, Mon 24th Oct 2011

2011-10-24T10:00:00.001Z

A walk into the countryside and then finding a camp to have food and lots of fun.

After passing the last inspection by Rachel, we were out in the wild. We found a pile of (pigeon) feathers: What happened? We asked. Alex thought a fox got it. Joe thought a car hit it. Ben reckoned a wolf came along. Martha - a badger. Leo - a porcupine! We found a huge beach tree and played with the beach nuts. We saw a hole in the bank. On to the field where we made grass shooters from elder wood. We shot an air plane down! Biscuits, apples and pears were consumed. Up we went to find a base camp. We found a good flat spot where we made a small fire. Everyone was very hot from climbing the steep bank. Leo used his hands to help him. Joe, Solomon, Alex, Takato, Ben and Leo experimented with burning leaves. Very smokey! We were soon heating up sausages, wrapping them in bread and ketchup and eating. Farrah and Martha made Ivy crowns. Then peeling sticks and decorating it. I put the rope swing up for Solomon and Alex, who had lots of fun. Joe and Takato enjoyed the fire. Lots of games played by Martha and Farrah. Marshmallows at the end

Best bits:- Leo - doing the fire bit; Solomon - rope swing; Joe - sharpening sticks and campfire; Ben - going downhill and toasting marshmallows; Alex - rope swing; Martha - making necklaces; Takato - marshmallows; Farrah - making crowns

Leaders: Edward and Lenka

explorer day, ages 9 - 13, Mon 24th Oct 2011

2011-10-24T10:00:00.000Z

A walk in the countryside around Upper Swainswick. Scroll down for photos.

It's a nice, warm day for our exploring. Isaac arrives with a great rucksack. Everyone is introduced to their fellow explorers and check we all have water proof s and water. The sun keep poking through the clouds as we head off walking to "deadwood camp". Sophie starts collecting lots of interesting things - shells, a plant pot, a great "face" stone. We pass an old mini, collect some mint which Rose stores for use to make mint tea later on the fire. Tom led us with the flag. We head along an old roman road and stop for a snack of fruit and biscuits. Barney explains some of the things to look out for and the changes. Isaac tests if the whistle can be heard far away - it can. Coral answers lots of Barney's questions with a good knowledge of the outside world. We are at deadwood camp and make a fire and set up the picnic. Coral, Isaac, Sophie and Tom make their own little fire. We have sausages warmed on the fire, hams, cheese and popcorn. Coral and Alice make 'rope'. Isaac does some very quick finger weaving. Rope swings are put up and a hammock. Barney helps Sophie and Issac make a bow and arrow. Coral makes a very colourful stick. Rose gets our fire going again to melt the marshmallows. The boys put out the fure using the spade, great job!

Best bits:- Coral - making the magic string because it's cool and easy to make; Sophie - going on the swing and the bow and arrow; Tom - lighting the fire; Alice - making my knife and going on swing; Rose - the marshmallows; Isaac - everything, that's what i always say

Leaders:- Barney and Sue

Poppy and Katie’s explorer party, turning 11, Sat 22nd Oct 2011

2011-10-22T10:00:00.000Z

An Explorer Party, on a sunny day, going into the countryside.

A beautiful sunny blue skied autumn day - we start with talk of deer and advenures! We climbed up a woody path and found a mint - Annabel and Patrick tasted the mint ‘hmm, that’s lush’ - said Annabel. Charlotte rolled the thistles down the grassy hill with Poppy. Henrietta picked thistle fluff. The landscape looked beautiful in the autumn hazy sunshine. Katie, Emily and Patrick sang the ‘duck song’. Charlotte tried to carry Barney’s huge bag - she managed a way! We played with the wind and a great piece of fabric - it made a great flag for our adventure. Down the hill Natalie did grass sledging - ‘I am going to get a wet bum!’. Emily carrying the flag down the hill had to be rescued from the brambles by Barney. We sat and listened to birds and rustling leaves. Thea got stuck in a big muddy bog! Then Jonathan’s shoe got sucked off... Finally we all passed the mud. Up into nice camp. We built a fire. Everyone explored collected fire wood. Climbing up slippery slopes. Barney made a rope swing high up the slope. Niki taught Natalie and Annabel to do finger looping and finger weaving with Katie who showed us a great way of tying the bracelets on. Thea and Emily, Poppy and Jonathan and lots more played on the swing. Katie taught Henrietta how to finger loop. Everyone had a sausage sandwiches, cheese, bacon, fried onions. Barney was in charge of fire with a veritable kitchen, shouts of ‘Beans on Toast!’ rang through the camp. Peppermint tea was tasted, Charlotte thought it tasted of ‘wee’! Emma thought the beans were ‘nice’. Henrietta made a beautiful finger woven beaded bracelet. Charlotte ate marshmallow and leaf sandwiches - and the rest. The grown-ups enjoyed the fire which we made smoky with green hazel leaves.

Best bits:- Natalie - food on fire, sliding down; Poppy - Charlotte and the mud; Katie - everything; Emma - making the fire go really wild!; Emily - going through the mud swamp and getting stuck, rubbing mud on my face; Annabel - playing in the mud, watching Charlotte play catch wit a cow pat; Jonathan - the camp fire; Charlotte - when I fell in the mud and collecting sheep and cow poo; Patrick - playing in the woods; Henrietta - going through the mud and the swings; Thea - going in the mud bare footed and collecting poo

Leaders: Niki and Barney
Parents: Dan

Josh and Dan's explorer party, turning 7, Fri 21st Oct 2011

2011-10-21T10:00:00.000Z

An explorer party for two boys, exploring the woodland around Swainswick. Scroll down for photos.

"It's conker madness out here!" Josh. We walked up Blacksmith lane saying hello to a miniature horse, tasting nettle leaves and nectar from flowers of the dead nettle. Soon we were in the wild. We picked blackberries. Dan sat on his father's shoulders and picked a solitary red apple. "come on everyone, let's go!" We had a quick snack of fruit and biscuits. Paul demonstrated dangers of dead wood. We came out of the 'old road wood'... "i turned me head around and i saw amazement" - there is a great view of the valley below. "This is the life!" Sonny. Boys lay on the grass , Jerome made himself comfortable, relaxing. Rosie chewed josh's stick to a suitable size. Down we plunged, a very steep slope. Boys found a dry earth and leaf slide, "woooo!" Amanda and Paul felt they needed to have a go and did. "BOG AHEAD!" At last we arrived at 'dead wood' camp. Parents made a cooking fire, boys explored, Rachel put up 2 rope swings and a hammock. The woodland cafe opened for sausages, bread and cheese sandwiches. Josh loves to sit by the fire and light the end of his stick - "If you blow on it, it lights up" he says. Some boys peeled freshly cut hazel sticks. The parents had a go on the rope swing - lots of laughing and giggling. Eunice used an axe to chop off the knobbly bits of the sticks. We had blackberry and apple jam - sonny closed his eyes and sighed at the delightful taste. The boys sticks became very smooth. Very industrious, We chatted, played, tasted more sausages and had marshmallows. We felt we could stay forever, Josh went on an explore on his own. Sadly he got a nasty sting on his lip =(. We left for home (Rachel's).

Best bits:- Amanda - i loved it all; Ben - i've enjoyed playing at the camp; Dan - doing the wood, i really liked doing that; Harry - everything; Jerome - well, my favourite bit was roasting marshmallows and playing up at the top; Josh - the fire; Sonny - doing the woodwork; Rosie - playing fetch; Eunice - my best bit has been just seeing the boys all happy round the campfire; Paul - urr... falling over! making the campfire was good

Camp:- Deadwood camp; Leaders:- Rachel and Rosie; Parents:- Amanda, Paul and Eunice

explorer day, ages 7 - 10, Fri 21st Oct 2011

2011-10-21T09:00:00.000Z

An explorer day in Upper Swainswick House garden with children who attend Swainswick School. Scroll down for photos.

Before I managed to greet everyone they were all down the garden, almost as if they had prearranged the games. Onto the race track Ben T, James, Zac went. Jack arrived with Ellie, then Beinn with Evan: shrieks of delight up and down the race track they went. The girls commanded the swings and hammock. Slowly the play moved: Jack to the woodworks shelter, Zac and James apple juice making. Later on Evan, James., Ellie, Mollie, Zac and Beinn played hide and seek tag. Arthur, James and some others worked on the track a bit more.

Best bits:- Arthur - probably hide and seek; Beinn - all of it; Evan - the vehicles up in the house; Ben - going down on the trolleys; James - probably race course; Jack - playing on the go-carts; Ellie - it was great... the swings; Hayden - laughing; Mollie - I liked all of it; Zac - Um... the apple juice; Edward - the apple juice

Leaders: Edward, Rebecca and Hayden (work experience St Marks)

after school, Thursdays in October 2011

2011-10-20T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club in Upper Swainswick House and garden, Mon - Thursday.

Thur 20th:-
Hayden has been popular this week. He is local student doing some work experience with us. Ha has brought many skills; and has been particularly helpful with the football and rugby games. Jack and Arthur had a footie match. Dylan and I wheeled around a barrow of fire and made a den by the yew trees. Phoebe and Pippa had a go at everything including marshmallows.

Thur 13th:-
It was a wonderful sunny afternoon and tea was laid out in the garden. Ben, James and Jack set about digging and adapting the go-cart run underneath the yew trees. They used spades and rakes and unearthed some interesting objects. Barney had set up a workshop making magic string. Everyone chose two colours and twisted them together. On completion the strings were doubled over and the two sets wrapped together by themselves. Keelan set a trend by wearing his string around his head. With sticks adapted in the workshop with Edwards help the children ran around the garden like a band of warriors. Jack and Arthur started a game of football. Phoebe and Pippa became friends and played a nice game in the shed; getting some of the boys to carry stuff in for them. Mateo, Seb and Theo were last to be collected; played hula-hoop and practiced handstands on the top lawn.

Thur 6th:-
No blog

Playwalks on Thursdays meeting in Swainswick, Term 1 2011

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000Z

Gentle guidance through the countryside by an experienced explorer, Thursdays 10 - 12. Written by Barney. Scroll down for photos.

Oct 20th:-

Twenty two of us (YES 22) enjoyed the end of term playwalk in the garden; 25 if you include Rachel, Edward and Rosie the sheep dog who took a keen interest in the lavish picnic.

The sun lit up the garden and house as everyone explored and played with freedom. We collected treasures and stuck them onto colourful pictures that had been created by children. I also suggested that we write down, on the back, a phrase uttered by the children during free PLAY. This didn’t really take off and seemed not to fit in with the sweet relaxing time. (Perhaps we’ll try it on another day; and include silent observations as well as phrases.) Indra and Dad, Charlie, made a lovely card with a simple leaf from the tulip tree and we talked about it’s autumnal leaves.

We had our fire in a wheel-barrow and moved it carefully in accordance with the wind direction. Like moving a mountain. Ffion and Lili toasted scones on a grill they made from hazel poles. Served with butter and jam. Very sweet. Jayne was close to the tea tray and helped serve hot drinks with a kettle boiled on the Aga. Very civilised.

I enjoyed some singing with Courtney and Ellie who were coming as one family with Poppy and Mum Georgie. What a day to chose.

A great spotted wood-pecker looped over the garden between tall trees, a male, with it’s flash of crimson red.

Tristan started playing on the big, green, metal trolley and a series of excursions around the garden. There were delighted passengers and parents everywhere. Tristan had to ride without the little ones; being that much older he went on the risky journey. Great.

What a lovely term. Thank You Beau, Louie, Lili & Tristan, Jack, Polly, William, Jay, Rufus, Josh, Jack & Ben, Milo & Luca, Natal, Noah, Leo, Finlay & Kieran, Olivia & Bethany, Indra, Poppy, Ellie and, of course, all you Adventurous Parents and Grand-parents. Outdoor Play with your 24 children.

Oct 13th:-
William, Milo, Luca and Leo re-joined us today with Mums Stephanie, Claire and Rosie. Twenty One Explorers rambling up Blacksmith Lane. Along the old road we passed last week’s wind-swept camp and emerged into a sun drenched valley with a beautiful view spread out in front of us. We all helped lay out sheets and blankets and we were soon enjoying a lovely picnic and play session. Sue and Beau requested a cooking fire, which Ffion started with a flint and steel. Sue cut twigs of sycamore to heat up sausages served in delicious bread ,drizzled with olive oil. What a feast. Some people made magic string and mastered five-finger weaving. The children played a lovely game of dipping under and amongst the coloured threads. There were also nice games with the rope. Sarah and Ffion harvested the last of the season’s blackberries with Lili and Josh. The sun quickly dried the morning dew from the grass and everyone enjoyed the sun on their faces after last week’s icy conditions.

Oct 6th:-
The children showed great awareness as we ventured up an over-grown lane past an old mini car. We stopped to gather blackberries and harvest some horse radish. The adults swapped recipe ideas as we wandered up and onto an old road through an arch-way of old-man’s-beard. We searched for a good place to have a camp and were seeing if we could be happy settling next to the busy road. We decided on a flat area next to a field. There was a very strong breeze blowing through and up from the valley. As we tried and failed to erect a wind break, Sarah discovered an area just around the corner that offered more shelter. We made a fire and tried to stay busy. I went off to get a branch of elder and cut it into short pieces; we used a skewer to push out the soft middles to create nice natural beads. I made a wooden necklace for Indra and her Dad Charlie, who said he’d be coming every week from now on.

The fresh breeze was getting stronger and we decided to head back and down the lane for home.

Sep 29th:-
Barney was ill today so Rachel led Playwalks. We were a group of 6 mums and 6 children. It was lovely and hot and Rachel decided to take everyone to the stream. We could all fit into her land rover so we set off for a short slow drive along the lane. The children enjoyed being in the big old noisy car. It was then a short walk down a green field (with mole hills, sheep and cow poo to see and talk about on the way down). We settled by a beachy, sandy, shallow part of the brook. Rachel set up a rope swing in and over the stream. We all got in the water - some in bare feet. We looked under stones for creatures, sampled the rich natural clay (making balls in our hands), splashed each other (Leo gave me a little shower), Jack (one of the twins) was very efficient at getting us wet too because he swished his new plastic centipede around in the water. Before we all got soaked we moved up to the bank again to have our picnic - salami, mini sausages, cherry tomatoes, flapjacks to mention a few of the delights. Natal and Liz sat near the lane - hoping another tractor would come by. Rachel made everyone a fishing rod. One last dip in the stream and it was time to go.

Sep 22nd:-
Two new families today: Finlay and Kieren with mum Catherine and grandparents Dermot and Pat; and Olivia and Bethany with mum Vanessa.
Our large group cascaded down the hill and gathered at the ‘Grumpy Man’s gate.’ Lili covered her ears while two large ‘Grumpy’ brown Labradors barked out their feelings. We emerge into an expanse of green valley. Everyone stood still as over a hundred sheep were being driven across the hill by some young border collies being trained by some young farmers.
Crossing the stream over a bridge, Jack spotted a dead bird on the bank. Keen eyes. It turned out to be an adult buzzard. Above the lifeless body were the signs that it had enjoyed it’s last meal before coming to rest at the edge of the water. Our large group queued patiently to climb the stile. Some accepted help, but others were adamant that they wanted to hurdle over without assistance,
We reached ‘Dead Ash Camp’ and children naturally began to climb the carcass of the once magnificent tree. (Beau, of course, was the first to reach it’s far-reaching summit. Others played amongst the piles of small branches, imaginations running wild. Elies discovered a medium sized parasol mushroom among a crop of much larger rotting fruit bodies; wisely pointing out, “That’ll be more for next year.” Great Year. (I.E.L.) THANKS.
Rain began to fall. Marcus suggested that we were about to have lots of wet children. I hurriedly converted the ground sheet into a makeshift shelter which would protect the little ones, The shelter building stopped and an amused Dermot said, “Panic over it’s stopped raining.” The ground sheet went back down while food and lovely chat was enjoyed by all. Rangana and Indra enjoyed putting twigs onto a small cooking fire. Elies made hot croissants and Louie handed them out.
Jayne and Jack handed out cake with sweet blue icing and we all joined in to sing and celebrate Jack’s Birthday.
A fresh breeze swept through the valley as families made their way back across the brook and up the hill for home.

Sep 15th:-
Ffion and Lili were back with us this week. Joy.
Gathering outside we reminded each-other about car up car down. There had actually been a few Fire Engine ups and downs during the night after an explosion of some sort along the lane. A large yellow hose stretched out from a hole in the ground and later the children followed it and made out like it was a snake.
Up blacksmith lane and down into an open patch of lush grass. We gathered blackberries for making jam although most harvesters were tasting more than they stored. We also found a few mint leaves for some tea in camp.
Arriving in the church yard there was lots of chat about the graves. (It always seems to provoke a lot of questions.)
We dipped through into church-yard camp, with it’s Monterey Cypress (Cupressus Macrocarpa). We settled in quickly, putting down a tarp to sit on, and setting a small cooking fire. Some mums felt it wise to define the fire with some thick wood. Great instincts. I put up a rope swing which Marcus tested, the branch was bendy but strong. Some of the children had a relax in the hammock.
Food was being shared and enjoyed. We had coffee and mint tea while Marcus made blackberry jam and pop-corn. I served people with beans on toast. What a feast.
Some children chose sticks but seemed less attached to the sticks than adults sometimes are.
The local gardener commenced two hours of strimming and it seemed like an alarm call for the end of the playwalk.
Another great time.

Sep 8th:-
Field Maple Camp WOW. What a turn-out; and everyone was so well equipped. Some people knew each other but most of us were meeting for the first time. In two hours we would all have the same experience in common as we ventured out on a bright breezy day. After a few calls of “Car up”, “Car down” we were passed by an impressive tractor, much to the delight of the children, particularly Natal. We went through an old swing gate and climbed a steep hill. Everyone coped well with the ascent and Marcus and I welcomed 22 explorers to Maple Camp. Instinctively, some children began climbing the ancient weather-beaten tree. Others gathered blackberries, some trying the fruit for the very first time in their lives. We set a small cooking fire with great team work; we talked about staying calm and safe. “I love that smell.” (Adult) While sharing a picnic we stripped the bark from small batons of ash; some decorated their creations with coloured threads. Everyone seemed to enjoy the rope swing, sharing nicely. We played an ‘air game’ letting long colourful fabric blow in the wind and wrap around us accompanied by delightful screams and laughter. Time flew and we were soon packing up and heading back home. Everyone seemed a lot more comfortable heading back down the hill. Looking forward to next week.

Paragon School, Term 1 2011

2011-10-19T22:00:00.000Z

Scroll through for photos.

Oct 19th:-
Today we were learning to saw safely, using 2 hands on the saw grip, with the wood held in a vice or sawhorse. 3 children helped me make a three legged chair; their main job was to saw to hazel wood to length. They did some nail hammering too. Another small group sawed ash to size, starting a chair.

Earlier we had walked around the grounds looking for suitable material to cut; great fun as we had all added a animal name to our own. We had a T Rex, lions, jaguars, tigers and an elephant (Edward!)

We all peeled sticks and wrapped around bread dough, cooking it on the fire basket. We also ate the prerequiste marshmallows too.

Reflecting on this session, I think everyone had a good, instructive lesson, some using a saw for the first time, others learning about fire, self motivated learning, listening and doing, exploratory learning, experiential learning.

2 hands

nailing/ team work

am I through yet!

good bread

let's have this in our den!

All of a sudden it was lunch time....

ps sorry that the photos are so dark, I had the flash on.

Oct 12th:-

This week 6I had the opportunity to try their hand at skinning a rabbit or three and cooking the meat on a fire. The class came out to the Explorer shelter in 2 halves to send 90 minutes working with Barney and me. Whilst I worked on the rabbits, Barney introduced the craft of magic string which is really fun to learn and a useful thing to be able to do. Ethan was very keen to work with the rabbit, as I taught how them a little about rabbits...how to capture/ kill, when they came to this island etc. The anatomy lesson was enjoyed to, going through the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and whether it was a boy or girl. The photos below show some of the fun we had. (There were good hand washing facilities, anti bac stuff and warm water.)

Enjoying cooking

I think that the learning opportunities today were aplenty; from the biology and history of the rabbits, to the personal decision making whether or not to engage with something so "yucky," to the campfire cookery issues of how to cook meat safely. On the other hand so good fun learning a new craft, which involved a certain dextrality. On this point one particular student did very well.
No more rabbits for me until I learn how to turn their cuts into a furry waistcoat!

Heart and lungs

Magic string

I've got the heart!

We also did some work with the draw knife, making some butter knives.

Oct 5th:-
6A spent a morning learning about rabbits: from the warren to the fire... With 2 groups doing identical activities, we learned about rabbits in the UK, the Romans introducing them, their anatomy-heart, lungs, diaphram, liver, kidneys, the fur, how to keep it, the legs and the saddle/ rump. We also looked at the wood pigeon, plucking the breast and removing the "squabs." We talked about cooking meat thoroughly, hand washing and general cleanliness, before eating the well cooked meat. Whilst we weren't working on the game, we were making magic string, which Barney (Explorer leader) taught.
Everyone got involved with the rabbits, before one or two very politely asked to be excused through feeling a little squeamish, which was quite understandable. We had some good conversations about rabbit birthrate (expontential... maths!) to morals of meat eating (ethics!) Well done everyone...

Magic string making

All hands on!

Serious cooking

Removing the pelt/ skin

2 paunched rabbits

Cooking

28th Sep:-

This Wednesday, both Reception classes took turns in exploring the woods to the east of the front lawn. We investigated different smelling leaves, looked at the soil beneath our feet, climbed a bank, holding onto a rope and reached the Swainswick base camp. There we talked about the fire and then went onto make quick shelters from some tarps I had. We also practised using a storm shelter, as I told them of a survival story in Scotland. After this we gathered round the fire to cook marshmallows...nothing beats them!

The session afforded good opportunities for the children to look around, use all their senses, find their feet on the terrain, experience fire, practice working together making their shelters and following instructions. The teachers were able to make some observations of their students at work.

21st Sep:-

The year 1 classes spent a good hour each in the Paragon grounds, exploring, den building and enjoying a campfire. Firstly, Mrs Williams' class walked up to the beech woods, then back through the secret gate onto the zigzag track, which descends into the far end of the grounds near the potential outside classroom. We then divided into 3 groups to make small shelters with tarps and ropes. This was great fun; the children were inventive in their approach and the exercise was a good exercise in team building, open ended exploration with the materials provided and a good opportunity for the teachers to observe their students. Meanwhile Marcus (Swainswick Explorer) kept a good campfire going producing popcorn, followed by marshmallows.

Following break time, Mrs Gibbons' class came out. We walked along the lane looking for any unusual snail activity...we saw at least 3 types, up stalks, on leaves, on pieces of grass etc. We also saw some poisonous snake food berries. We explored along the railway line (defunct!) and descended back into the den building area. The same exercise of shelter day followed with popcorn and mallows.

Really good to facilitate experiential learning with Year 1; I look forward to their next session in the New Year.

14th Sep:-

Much better weather this week as we went for a walk around the Paragon grounds (and beyond!). The purpose was to look for wild berries to make jam with and to show Miss Scott the land too! We enjoyed hunting for blackberries and found enough to make some jam with. We saw other berries en route, including snow berries, sloe berries, deadly nightshade, laurel berries, hawthorn and elder berries. There was great excitement about the himalayan balsam flower and the way its seed case sprung open. At the end of the first session we had a sloe berry eating competition...who could keep a straight face the longest...I didn't record the winner.

After break Edward started the jam making process and Marcus started the weaving/ braiding session with the boys. The girls making jam first, enjoyed stirring the pots on the fire. We had raspberry, blackberry and blackcurrant on the go. Miss Scott was very good at discussing the science of the fire and the cooking.

Meanwhile everyone had a go at finger looping weaving, which is a difficult technique to grasp (literally) but with enough help from Marcus, Miss Scott and I everyone managed a braid.

This outdoor learning session was a great springboard into science, maths, nature, team work, self-organisation, as well as physically demanding. So well done Year 4...hope you enjoyed the jam you made.

7th Sep:-
Aim: to show how to make jam from edible berries collected (mainly) from the Paragon grounds.
We had a good walk around some of the grounds of the school, up across a field behind the railway cutting, looking for blackberries. We played with a dog who was great fun. Quite a few berries, but it felt like we were a few weeks too late. The children were very industrious. Then we went up passed Honeysuckle Farm gate back towards a small gap in the hedge to a track taking us down to the school. So much Himalayan balsam, mixed with nettles and brambles...a real jungle. Elderberries, sloes and blackberries. We started the cooking process, with Marcus (assistant), keeping the fire going and preparing the threads for weaving. Mixing sugar to the berries we saw how the ingredients reduced as they were cooked. Some boys concocted their own "poisonous" mix, whilst others tried the raspberries and blackcurrants.
Learning: finding edible food, fire (and all that is learned from fire), cooking- seeing the mixture change to jam, eating it. Questions about changing ingredients, what else can we cook? Teamwork, keeping the fire going,

The other activity was finger looping, which is a form of weaving with loops of wool around your fingers, remembering a pattern, to produce a length of woven threads. Everyone worked in pairs to help each other. Lots to learn in a short while and quite difficult for 8/9 year olds.

Well done everyone for such a good outdoor learning session...a bread and jam session!
Through the hidden valley, in the bracken and balsam.

Explorer day, Wed 19th Oct 2011

2011-10-19T17:16:00.000Z

An explorer day with a group of girls through the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

"The awesome people" hiked through the wilderness. First they had met Johnny the Shetland pony on the way. We found a silver birch that had been cut down and decided we would bring it along. We stoppped for Russet apple snack and delicious pear and played name game. Ellie bought Jumbo the elephant. Frankie bought Berkley the parrot. Hazel walking sticks made. Flora found it a handy chin rest. Ellie imagined she was old, needing a sturdy helper. Emma and Alice got extra courage from Barney before the ascent. Marcella and Ellie put gloves on their sticks. Sloe berry challenge: Flora "I ate 2, yummy, but afterwards teeth furry and mouth dry. Jenna "I ate 2 as well and it was sour and teeth furry". Bel and Alice avoided challenge as it would be too gross. Bel had a moth hitchhiker. We slid down the bank into the wood. Around the camp fire we made "Ali Ali Ands" our call. Walking sticks decorated with 5 finger weaving. Lara "it's very fun and easy." Flora ate sandwiches.

Best bits:- All - Johnny! That thing, doing the finger weaving; uhh swinging; eating sausages; making these and a campfire; marshmallows; braids; hot dog, ketchup, white bread, food; just getting there and finding the camp

Eloise's explorer party, turning 12, Wed 19th Oct 2011

2011-10-19T10:00:00.003Z

A nice walk through the countryside to a camp, lots of fun. Scroll down for photos.

We set off, the sun shining and air crisp, down into the valley. The girls climbed a tree they'd climbed last year. Eloise found a geo-cache. There's a notebook and treasure. Anna took out 5p and put in a packet of polos. Rosie had jumped in the brook. 'Bob' and Bella W led Bella F along, blind fold. We had a competition to eat a sloe berry without making a sour face - it makes your mouth all dry. Ellie, Sophie and 'Bob' did it with just a 'serious' face. We stopped under a grand old oak tree - collecting acorns. We had fruit and snacks. We cut some hazel on the way up to camp, and picked blackberries. At last we arrived at 'dead wood camp.' Rachel put up rope swings. Annie, Ellie and Eloise helped get a cooking fire going. The sun shone down through the trees. Some girls peeled bark off their sticks. Rosie ran after sticks thrown for her. The feast began. Annie made bacon, beans and bread. Sophie, Oriele and 'Bob' made their own fire up above the camp. Bella W brought up sandwiches, through the serving hatch. They moved a log for the sofa. Meanwhile Annie was making blackberry and apple jam. 'Bob' kept the fire going while the others sang Fame. We toasted marshmallows. There's a hammock to relax in. There is the remains of a dead deer at the camp. Too soon it was time to head back for cake. Georgina's shoe got left behind in the mud and they couldn't get it out. 'Bob' takes a handful of clay home to mould. Bella W is now being led blindfold.

Best bits:- Rosie - having Anna throw sticks for her; Eloise - probably the rope swing and hammock; 'Bob' - everything, all of it, apart from the clay; Bella F - probably roasting marshmallows... actually everything; Georgina - probably carving the wood; Anna - carving wood, making my Rosie fetching thingy and toasting marshmallows; Ellie - i enjoyed all of it... I liked the fire making; Sophie - I probably enjoyed roly-polying down the hill; Oriele - I liked it when we made the fire, I enjoyed the swings and it's a really nice view as well; Bella W - the rope swing and the marshmallows; Vanessa - just seeing them all enjoying being outside so much

after school, Tuesdays in October 2011

2011-10-18T15:30:00.001Z

An after school club for about 15 children in a large garden with interesting things to play with and do. Written by Rachel or Rebecca.

Tues 18th:-
Everyone went inside to have tea, "There's chocolate spread!" (a rare occasion). Most children went outside down to the bottom garden. Ben, James, Isaac, Charlie and Arthur improved the dirt track in the trees by pushing the excess mud to the side. Lots of hard work, which payed off. Elsewhere in the garden Hayden, Jack and Ollie were playing rugby. Rachel was over at the bonfire with children toasting marshmallows. Inside Rebecca and Isobel made Brownies, unfortunately Isobel went home before they were ready and Rebecca forgot to get them out in time =s.

Tues 11th:-
Sue was a new helper today which was lovely. The boys started play by riding vehicles down the runway. Isobel and Emma and Ned played on the swings under the walnut, swing and trying to 'bash' or escape a 'bashing' by the tyre swing. Amy, Izzie and Farrah played on the zipwire. Later Jack and Ollie played football and then joined in a game of chase with Emma and Isobel. Alexander joined in the football and chase game and then the game deveoped into Jack being the goaler and taking prisoners. Prisoners were kept in the little playhouse. Isaac collected up all the red kit plastic tubing ready for another day. A happy time.

Tues 4th:-
Today a new game was developed which is riding down the track between the yew trees and the wall on various vehicules like bikes, go-karts, mountain board, trailer. The going was tough and dangerous - especially Ben on the trailer. I watched out for obstacles and made sure people came up via the grass so the runway was clear. Izzie, Amy and Farrah played a game in the hammock - deliberately tipping themselves out! Inside Rebecca cooked choc brownies with Ned, Isobel and others. Edward was juicing apples in the press with various children. A lovely club.

Muir Trek

2011-10-14T19:58:00.002Z

Without giving to much away to those who may want to go on and try a Muir trek one day, we had a lot of fun today, slowly travelling through some wild land around north Bath, keeping to the footpaths, resting occasionally and loving the surroundings, the rising sun, the birds, the flying insects and the peace. We stayed in the present, not worrying about tomorrow, or dwelling on the past. It was very freeing for the trekkers. So much to absorb. We looked at how we perceived the landscape, looked at the how we could distil the experience by searching for the essence. We spent nearly 7 hours in nature...and we could have spent twice as long. The earth is still spinning towards the sun and we're on it!

If you are interested in going on a Muir Trek, please contact us. www.playingoutdoors.org or contact www.wildwise.co.uk in Devon who have been doing them for some time.

after school, Wednesdays in October 2011

2011-10-12T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club for primary aged children with outdoor play as a focus.

Oct 12th:-
Rachel started a bonfire - we had a huge mound of garden waste. Toby, Edmund and Max came to help and enjoyed putting material on. There were lots of fig cuttings to break apart and poke into the fire. Edward took over. Barney did some woodwork with Joe - he made some 'num chuks' out of hazel poles. Art club was today. Isabel and Rachel drew a tree and then painted their pictures in the art studio with Joanna looking on and giving helpful advice.

Oct 5th:-
First 'Art club' today with Joanna and Julie leading. Emma and Isabel drew the view of the hills opposite, sitting on the steps outside to do it. Then they added colour in the studio.
George spent a lot of time on the watch tower and spied on the girls who had cake he wanted to get.
Max made lots of weapons to defend his base. Ben, James, Joe and Edmund hurtled down a race track made in the yew tress.
Liam and Arthur chatted in the house before coming out to challenge Jack and Hal to a football match.
Thoughts from young people:- "can we connect the red tubes?" "I'd like a bigger football pitch", "Yeah it was alright, not as good as Tuesday", "It's been really good!"

Isabel's explorer party, turning 12, Sat 8th Oct 2011

2011-10-08T10:00:00.001Z

An explorer party leading to top camp with lots of fun. Scroll down for photos.

We set off soon to smell wild carrot, eat roschip and smell some marjoram: meg found some lesser spotted maltese's. Up the 1000 steps, armed with walking sticks - ready to help with nettles and brambles. Barney handed out pears and apples, after we had tried the sloe berry test! Up we climbed to then look over a beautiful view of Bath and Solsbury Hill. Barney found a field mushroom. We bashed our way along through the undergrowth until reaching top camp. Top camp was really busy: woodwork, fire, food. Everyone was really busy and we all had good fun

Best bits:-
Ellen - in camp; Emily - swings, spreader making; Hellie - everything; Isabel - swing and jam; Olivia - making the knives; Izzy - whole camp itself; Anna - swings; Meg - marshmallows; Ellie - walking and whole thing; Emily - whole thing; Nicola - being with everyone, Ivy - marshmallows

Toby's explorer party, turning 6, Sat 8th Oct 2011

2011-10-08T10:00:00.000Z

A nice walk through the countryside to a camp. Scroll down for photos.

We set off Blacksmith lane, Ben leading. We tasted blackberries. Daisy found a jay's feather. We found the 'old road', a stone sign post and a junk yard. Toby found treasure - a very old rusty spanner. The sun came out and we set with a wonderful view of Swainswick Valley. Billy finds a shell. A buzzard hovers on the wind. We climbed down a slippy, bumpy path. "It's like the wavy grass in the bear hunt", Zoe. At last we arrived at ' dead wood' camp. Nick, who had had adventures in the amazon, started a cooking fire with Angus. Rachel put up 2 rope swings. The feast was laid out - sausages, bread, ketchup, cheese. Play began. Angus collected wood for the fire, Ben, Sophie H and Sophie S enjoyed the swings. Amy and Daisy learnt how to weave. Lisa helped boys and girls peel the bark off sticks and decorate with threads. Nick cooked popcorn - woodland flavour is as sweet as sugar! The wind blew overhead but our camp felt like home. Amy made a mouse home with sticks and leaves. Lots of screaming, giggling, bum shuffling down the steep slopes. There are ropes hanging down the slopes - Ethan and Billy enjoyed pulling, pushing and slithering down the slop, covered in leaves. "I wish we could live here" Daisy. Out of the camp we walked in green fields again.

Best bits:-
Amy - making the mouse hole; Sophie H - the swing where i slid on my bottom; Ben - I liked it when we toasted the marshmallows; Nick - oh i don't know... just being outside! lighting the fire; Angus - umm, probably when we had the fire and playing at the camp; Daisy - stuffing all the marshmallows in my mouth; Zoe - doing the weaving; Lisa - watching all the children having so much fun and eating sausages; Toby - when we were having the marshmallows; Ethan - playing when we're pushing people over; Arthur - building the fire really big; Sophie S - going on the swings at the camp, eating black berries; Billy - playing with Ethan, Ben and Angus on the hills

after school, Thursdays in September 2011

2011-09-29T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club in Upper Swainswick House and garden, Mon - Thursday. Scroll down for photos.

Sep 29th:-

A beautiful hot afternoon. Hendrick, Mateo, Sonny, Keelan and Seb set up a runway behind the yew trees and turn it in turns to race down the track on various contraptions - like bikes, go-karts, baby trikes, some even just running or sending a tyre rolling down. Keelan had a dramatic fall but soon recovered. The tower is still evolving and that was also a good place for play. Niki, Colin and Sky, a local family, hung out with us today. Skye and Arthur cut up apples for the juicing project Edward was leading - mashing the apples in a scrutter and pressing them in an old-fashioned apple press. Colin helped Pippa on the zip wire, pushing her along and helped her down from the tree she had climbed. It was a happy afternoon. Three were quite a lot of disputes but we helped the children resolve their arguments and develop their social skills and abilities to play in a team. Written by Rachel

Sep 22nd:-

Harper enjoyed the red tube apparatus and Theo, Mateo, Pippa were rolling it back and forward, some inside and some rolling it. Great laughter. James made a 'garden pub' under the wooden tower serving imaginary beer made from water. Ben's obstacle course under the yew trees was very professional and he enjoyed tackling it with his two wheeler bike. Pippa and Edward were sorting out apples for making juice from. Barney had found a buzzard (female) in a stream earlier and carried back for the kids to see. It had a 4 foot wing span. White feathers underlay indicated it to be a female. Barney had a fire lit with the kids, toasted marshmallows on it. Football was enjoyed by Arthur, Marcus, Sebastian and Jack. Badminton enjoyed by five of the boys. Hendrick played a game on the boat with Mateo and Sonny. Pippa liked the zip wire. The children enjoyed fresh home made jam (still warm). Lots of team play captives and captors.

Sep 15th:-

A lovely sunny afternoon. Harper, Seb and Rachel played badminton, having a competition to see how long a rally could last. Our record was 10 hits. Farleigh, boys had their shirts off. Some played on the tower - climbing up and down. Jack, Marcus and Barney played fooball. Barney got the bonfire going again. It was nice to see smoke rising. Keelan, Jack and others also played badminton. Edward crushed and juiced apples with a rotating team - including Mateo and Keelan.

Sep 8th:-

Rachel collected the Monkton Farleigh team, including a new member whose been patiently waiting to come of age to join! Swinging passed St Saviours to collect Mateo, Arthur and Edward (who appeared from London). Meanwhile Barney was picking up the home team from Swainswick School. We all met in the kitchen and sat down for tea prepared by Louise. After introductions and felicitations, and a few reminders of manners and hand washing, play began. Outside there was a good, well organised stick battle...sticking to the one on one rule etc. Edward ran apple pressing, rewarding the workers with their fair share; Mateo, Keelan, Theo, Sunny and Arthur helped together with Seb and Hendrick. One of the Dads rather liked the press! Marcus was supervising play, together with Barney and Louise and Edward.

Harper enjoyed a game of Blokus earlier on. The big den was embellished, equipment transported and then there was a game of badminton. Welcome back to the September edition of the After School Club! Edward

after school, Wednesdays in September 2011

2011-09-28T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club for Primary aged children. Written by Marcus. Scroll down for photos.

Sep 28th:-
Edmund, Will and Toby made weapons out of the red and black plastic piping we have, which has ways of putting it together to make things. We also had a fire. Liam had a go lighting it with a match, and he persevered with ultimate success. Even though it was really hot weather the fire soon attracted others. Isobel and Rebecca kept it going and we all had a marshmallow or two, toasted. Meanwhile Edward was juicing apples with a team of helpers. Some enjoyed playing badminton.

Sep 21st:-
Lovely day we had. Lots of games were going on such as tree climbing, garden road traffic coordinated by Ben, climbing up and down the garden tower, bike riding, running about in the garden and a great game of football played by Jack, Edmund, Hugh, barney, Marcus and Arthur. Isobel loved the zip wire while George loved his spear which he made. The garden was a noisy one again today.

Sep 14th:-
Nice and windy day today. The children had lots of fun in the garden. Jack, Hugh and Barney took shuts against Marcus. Finlay played the part of a criminal, James, Ben, George and Arthur being the police. Ben constructed a new kind of den and the other children fancied going in. Edward made apple juice from apple fruits. Thereafter was a game of badminton. It was lovely.

Sep 7th:-

Today was like a staring point into the Autumn - rainy, cold and frizzy. The children all sat in for tea and most of them didn't fancied going out to play though Jack, Hugh, Ben James, Finlay and George were brave enough to play in the garden. It was a lovely time with lots of fun in football, badminton and other indoor games.

after school, Tuesdays in September 2011

2011-09-27T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club for about 15 children in a large garden with interesting things to play with and do. Written by Rachel. Scroll down for photos.

Sep 27th:-
The children came in and had some tea before they went outside to play. Izzy and Amy played with the toy figures, while waiting for the older children to return and then went outside and collected bullets (these are left over from BB gun target practise which our own children do in family time outside of the club) together. After that they came indoors and baked cakes, unfortunately Izzy didn't get to finish. Isabel came in and helped put the cake mixture into the tins. George then came down and decided to make some rocky road, which both Isabel and Ned helped with. Meanwhile play continued outside.....to be added to by Edward. Written by Rebecca.

Sep 20th:-
Unfortunately the autumn weather definitely kicked in today with some rain. However this still did not deter some. To begin with there was a small jam session with the drum, accordion, guitar being swapped around between Marc, Isabel and Farrah. The tea was laid on the table and some of it was eaten. Inside Izzy and Isabel baked, one doing cakes and the other doing brownies. Farrah and Amy were in the living room playing with the princess, the prince, the towers and other toy models.

Sep 13th:-
When I came down the garden I saw Isaac and Ned lying on the grass trying to get the last of the red currants, yum. The girls started off playing on the tower, this time Izzie was confident enough to jump off. A game of football developed with Ollie, Jack and Marcus getting very into the game, cheering and booing each other, depending on whose team they were on. Rebecca helped Amy, Izzie, Isobel and Farrah get onto the zip wire. Rachel chased Isaac and Ned, who were mice, and this time she caught them because she found them hiding under a canoe. We ate apples off the tree. Arthur chased Fin round the garden - much to his delight. Ned and Isaac then helped Edward crush apples, in preparation to make them into juice.

Sep 7th:-
It was lovely to see everyone back from their summer holidays. We welcomed Amy, a new explorer. Izzie climbed up the den - a tower which the children had made yesterday - and didn't like the height but stayed up there 'cos she was worried about coming down. Rachel helped her down. Farrah and Isobel were up there too. Jack, Isaac, Charlie and ollie played football with Marcus and other boys. Ned found a favourite stick and ran about being rather war-like but sensible.

after school club, Mondays in September 2011

2011-09-26T15:30:00.000Z

An after school club with the focus on outdoor play. Written by Barney. Scroll down for photos.

Sep 26th:-

Jack, Ollie and I attempted to come up from the garden, have tea, a drink and a chat and be back out in the garden in five minutes. So keen to play.
We were soon back out and enjoying a thrilling 5 – 5 football match, joined by Arthur and Dylan. It rained for a while but all the children relished the ‘challenge of the elements’ and carried on swinging, chasing each other, building dens and climbing in the walnut tree. Free play carried on throughout club.
There was some green woodwork done, with Danny and Phoebe enjoying using the pruning saw, while Dylan worked on his spear with the draw knife. Alexander and Danny also enjoyed some play with the fort and soldiers inside the house.

Sep 20th:-
Grey skies, but happy children. We gathered in the kitchen for jam and bread, water and knock knock jokes. Jack and Ollie were first in the garden and soon challenging Barney and Arthur to a game of football. 8 - 12. Dylan helped us to our win while also harvesting apples for making juice. Leila, Danny, Phoebe, and Finlay swung, climbed sang and went on the zip, all under the walnut tree. Alexander chose to play with the castle by himself, quietly. Instead of helping Louise to bake a cake.

Sep 12th:-
Strong winds swept through the valley, the tail-end of the hurricane that had recently hit America.
Jack, Ollie, Arthur and Danny kicked off the play with a game of rugby. Others collected apples to make juice with Edward. Rachel had the idea to make a bonfire. Ollie and Jack started it and Barney kept it going. Thick, white plumes dramatically filled the air and created a smoke-screen for Fin who was being hunted. There was nice chats going on under the walnut tree about plans to go to big football matches. Leila had composed a song and sang us the first few lines. It was a beautiful melody. Inside there was cooking and board games.

Sep 5th:-

The first session of a brand new academic year. Everyone gathered inside for some fresh bread with jams and fruit. Fin, Ollie and Jack didn't really want to come in but it was just a short while and they were soon fed, watered and playing freely at the bottom of the garden. Fin was being chased and captured in a rough and tumble game; he didn't need to call on his "Save me Barney" CALL.

Leila and Arthur played some football and practiced some new skills.

Inside Alexander and Phoebe played Lego before getting into the "Soldiers and Castle".

Jack, Leila and Ollie did some daring stunts all on one go-cart. Dannie and Dylan picked raspberries to make jam with Louise.

Joshua's explorer party, Sat 24th Sept 2011

2011-09-24T10:00:00.000Z

An explorer party is a 4 hour adventure in the countryside. No photos.

On the way to the field of freedom we found teasels and wild marjoram. Some of the boys had blackberries straight from the bush. Through and over a style we emerged into a beautiful green valley. We stopped at the top of a steep slope and had a snack of carrots and biscuits. We cut some hazel poles which will become swords and spears later. Up the thousand steps for stick fights at the top. The stick with the poo on the end became 'untouchable fighter'. At the top of the world we collected ash twigs for firewood in camp we had lunch of sausages, beans, bread and of course marshmallows. We peeled our hazel with veg peelers and some decorated them with coloured threads.

Best bits:- Joshua - just going out and making these and playing swords; Roland - peeling these and stuff; Luke - making these things; Ben - probably everything, exploring; Jacob - the fire uuh, uuh walking around; James - I really liked the camp bit where we made all these

Paragon school, Autumn 2011

2011-09-14T08:33:00.000Z

Aim: to show how to make jam from edible berries collected (mainly) from the Paragon grounds.

We had a good walk around some of the grounds of the school, up across a field behind the railway cutting, looking for blackberries. We played with a dog who was great fun. Quite a few berries, but it felt like we were a few weeks too late. The children were very industrious. Then we went up passed Honeysuckle Farm gate back towards a small gap in the hedge to a track taking us down to the school. So much Himalayan balsam, mixed with nettles and brambles...a real jungle. Elderberries, sloes and blackberries. We started the cooking process, with Marcus (assistant), keeping the fire going and preparing the threads for weaving. Mixing sugar to the berries we saw how the ingredients reduced as they were cooked. Some boys concocted their own "poisonous" mix, whilst others tried the raspberries and blackcurrants.

Learning: finding edible food, fire (and all that is learned from fire), cooking- seeing the mixture change to jam, eating it. Questions about changing ingredients, what else can we cook? Teamwork, keeping the fire going,

The other activity was finger looping, which is a form of weaving with loops of wool around your fingers, remembering a pattern, to produce a length of woven threads. Everyone worked in pairs to help each other. Lots to learn in a short while and quite difficult for 8/9 year olds.

Wed 14th:-
4S Wild jams and threads
Much better weather this week as we went for a walk around the Paragon grounds (and beyond!). The purpose was to look for wild berries to make jam with and to show Miss Scott the land too! We enjoyed hunting for blackberries and found enough to make some jam with. We saw other berries en route, including snow berries, sloe berries, deadly nightshade, laurel berries, hawthorn and elder berries. There was great excitement about the himalayan balsam flower and the way its seed case sprung open. At the end of the first session we had a sloe berry eating competition...who could keep a straight face the longest...I didn't record the winner.
After break Edward started the jam making process and Marcus started the weaving/ braiding session with the boys. The girls making jam first, enjoyed stirring the pots on the fire. We had raspberry, blackberry and blackcurrant on the go. Miss Scott was very good at discussing the science of the fire and the cooking.
Meanwhile everyone had a go at finger looping weaving, which is a difficult technique to grasp (literally) but with enough help from Marcus, Miss Scott and I everyone managed a braid.
This outdoor learning session was a great springboard into science, maths, nature, team work, self-organisation, as well as physically demanding. So well done Year 4...hope you enjoyed the jam you made.

Max's explorer party, turning 6, Sat 10th Sept 2011

2011-09-10T22:00:00.000Z

A 4 hour hike through the countryside to a camp. No photos.

We quickly found ourselves on an overgrown lane and needed to be brave to get u[ to a clearing. We gathered honesty and mint to make truthful tea. Two people got stung by "attack nettles" and we used plantain on it. We headed along an ancient roman road. Through a wild wood, under a fence into a lush green wind-swept valley.

Max led the way across and down to camp. "Mushroom alert, it's poisonous!" Everyone carried firewood into camp and we started it with a flint and steel adding birch bark, then bigger and bigger sticks. Max started making a den and everyone joined in. We peeled bark from hazel and made a birthday mallet. There was a great rope swing and marshmallows, time to head back to H.Q.

Best bits:- Max - building the den; Wilfie - Climbing the trees and the swing; Orla - the swing, popcorn, and stripping bark; Ned - this place marshmallows, popcorn and eating; Ellie - umm, walking in the wood, stripping bark and popcorn; Logan - climbing trees on the way; Zac - getting here, climbing and den building; Charlotte - when we were exploring and finding camp.

Jame's explorer party, turning 9, Sat 10th Sept 2011

2011-09-10T10:00:00.001Z

An explorer party is a 4 hour adventure party in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

James set the pace, keen to find his old camp also looking for adders. We reached the top and looked over bath. The sun cast strong shadows and James said he looked like a cat. Through the long field full of nettles we went, hands held high. Arrived at top camp, having been ambushed by John, Matthew and Adam. We soon had the fire going and lots of loud play. Alex and John soon had their shirts off for muddy play. Will, Henry and James enjoyed the shave-horses. Tobias made another fire with some others. Lots of water play, food, jam on the fire, chapati bread and marshmallows to finish. All very happy and excited 8/9 year olds. We wandered home.

Best Bits:- Hannah - making a bath for the dog; Henry - making a sword; Matthew - the ambush; Ben - making a bow and arrow; James - making the fire and putting it out; Alex - lighting my marshmallows; John - all of it; Theo - making spears.

Isaac's explorer party, turning 5, Sat 3rd Sept 2011

2011-09-03T10:00:00.001Z

An explorer party is a 4 hour adventure party in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

We climbed a steep slope, picking blackberries and sat down for an apple snack, with a view of a valley. We were in a good position to see evidence of pirates - smoke from a fire we saw. We sang a few pirate songs to frighten them off. Isaac led the way. Boys tumbling over the uneven ground and grass mounds. We chose our camp. Martin made a pirate trap. The boys climbed up into a clump of hazel. "Land ahoy!" There were in the crows nest. Harrison found a piece of 'parchment' (book). Murray is a good climber. Martin tripped over the pirate trap wire. We had a feast sausages, cheese, bread. We toasted sausages over the campfire. Joshua and Murray peeled bark off freshly cut hazel sticks. A group of us explored and found a little bag of coins. We shared out some and hid the rest again. We toasted marshmallows and ate blackberry jam. Some of the boys made crutches, or hooks to put under their armpits. All too soon it was time to go. We packed up quickly, fearing the pirate were going to come back soon. We sat on the slope, overlooking the valley, had chocolate and put flag strips on their sticks. The boys found a sandy place that is not in the wind. They found a rabbit hole. Buzzards flew overhead. Murray held his flag up high "So everyone knows which way we're going".

Best bits:- Chris - lighting the fire with the first match!; Martin - the treasure hunting; Andy - the sausages; Joshua - the rope swing; Charlie - when we played pirates; Isaac - fighting; Harrison - fighting and clanging with swords; Murray - eating the chocolate, making the flags and finding the treasure (the coins)

Ben's explorer party, turning 7, Sat 3rd Sept 2011

2011-09-03T10:00:00.000Z

An explorer party is a four hour adventure party in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

We set off looking at the seeds of plants. Teasels, St John's wort, old man's beard, blackberries, rose hips. Then ventured through some beech trees. Then to Chilcombe. We found a puff ball mushroom and Rosie the dog. Quick carrot break and apples. Then up the 1000 steps. "I wish everyday was like this" Ben. Huge nettles and jungle, armed with staff to pass the way. We manfully (and womanfully) made it through to top camp. Oscar (not sure he would enjoy it, he said) come through strongly - full of chatter. Swinging, campfire, sausages, popcorn, cheese, whittling some sticks and stick decoration. Marshmallows - everyone was really happy.

Best bits:- Oliver - everything; Gabriel - when we were cooking marshmallows; Aiden - setting up camp; Alex - everything; Oscar - how adventurous it was; Oscar S - everything; Ben - going through jungle thing; Dan - sausage sandwiches; Jo - the jungle bit

Henry's explorer party, turning 7, Fri 2nd Sept 2011

2011-09-02T10:00:00.003Z

A four hour adventure party in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

We looked at swallow nest and picked blackberries. We stopped for an apple snack under a walnut tree. We saw smoke signals in the valley below. Felix found a shield beetle. Louis shared out sweets - spicy! we ran down into a lush green valley, boys exploring ahead. We arrived at an ancient oak - 300 years we measured by our arm spans around it, 6 people x 50 years. Louis climbed it "It's freaky!" We ate Jane's very chocolatey brownies, yum. Louis got in completely. "Woow there are massive spider webs!" William spotted a buzzard overhead. Sam had a go climbing in... his boot became full of dust and stones. William C had a go. Tom holds a safety rope. Will R got in. The first dad ever to go in (as far as his waist) is Richard, father of Henry. Will C is intrigued with a moth... "It's such a wriggly moth". We shone the torch in... "It's Colonel Gaddafi hiding place", Henry. On we went... cutting a walking stick for everyone from fresh hazel. 2 'double bladder' helicopters flew overhead. We climbed up valley, over muddy bit. the boys bashed thistle seeds. "Man, this is high!". The boys found an ant nest inside a thistle. "Shade at last", Will R. Ah yes finally we arrived at "Dead wood camp". Everyone set about exploring, Tom L showed me the factory where there is lots of dead wood. Felix and Tom L wheeled out an old tyre and we put it up as a 'wibbly wobbly boogie swing'. Tom C found lots of fungus for the fire (King Alfred's cake). Others found a dead deer - complete and were very excited about taking bits of skeletons home. Tobias got a complete campfire going and William C collected dead wood. Rebecca laid out a feast - ham, cheese, sausages, ketchup, bread. Play continued, sliding down slopes, tying rope to help climb up and down, swinging on the swing. Various bases emerged. Tobias got the skull and hoof for boys to take home... Lucky mums! There are three dead deer, factory and secret club. All too soon it was time to pack up. After marshmallows, blackberry jam we set off... stopping to wrap flag materials on our sticks.

Best bits:- Henry - sitting by the fire; Will - the bits in the forest; Louis - going inside the tree and finding the dead deer; Tom C - I think probably making dens in the wood; William C - collecting wood for the fire; Richard - getting in and out of the big oak tree; Felix - umm I don't really know... sausages; Sam - when we made up our club; Harry - in the tree, looking inside; Jane - the blackberry jam and sunshine; Tom C - oh... drinking water (very thirsty)

Explorer day, ages 7 - 10, 2nd September 2011

2011-09-02T10:00:00.001Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside.

The day was bright and clear as we all got our boots ready for our adventure in the countryside. We set off taking a long walk along the ancient road, under a fence and suddenly into a nice looking valley we appeared. Sitting on the top everyone had a quick snack distributed by George and Arthur. Thereafter we climbed down the valley, chatting about different types of birds of prey and mushrooms. On our way to camp we cut some hazel for walking sticks. Over a style and across a running stream we went. Suddenly we found ourselves in an Island and we camped there. Barney made a campfire, Marcus laid out picnic, all the people had their lunch after a long play in the water. Soon after some got themselves busied by peeling bark off their sticks. Others fancied making their own fire and building a dam in the water. The camp was a busy one until we had our marshmallows and set back home.

Best bits:- Sophie - everything; Georgia - building the den; Netta - exploring the river and making the fire; Patrick - making the dagger and the spear; John - playing in the water; Oscar - I think going in the river and the walk; Maddie - building the fire; Arthur - building the dam

Explorer day, ages 6 - 7, 2nd September 2011

2011-09-02T10:00:00.000Z

A six hour hike in the countryside with lots of play and camp-making. No photos.

After some cloud-spotting - we saw a boat, Dinosaur bones, fish and a bird - all high up in the sky, and discovering an itching powder inside the rose-hips, we climbed in and hid in the low woods. We could see everything, but nothing or nobody could see us! We had refreshments and carried on. On the way through the bramble jungle, Zoe found badger bones. We all had a feel of them. Getting to our base-camp with our united strength we pulled down old rotten tree - one, two, three and it came down cracking. Edward put up rope swings and Bastian, Felix, Jamie, Rafee jumped on straight away. Lenka put up a hammock and Zoe went in. "It is my first time ever", Zoe said. We had to take a picture to make note of this historic event! Sue prepared lovely food and we filled our hungry tummies. Jacob V and Rafee, Jasper and Jacob S decided to build a den. It was "awesome". Harry was a king - good king. William, Alister, Felix and Bastian learned from Edward how to make a safe fire. Zoe became a Princess, Rafee a knight of the night. Edward made spread dough which we cooked on hot stone. Most people made spears and walking sticks which they decorated with coloured threads. Jacob V, Alister and Rafee learned how to make magic string. Some people made catapults.

Best bits:- Felix - pulling down tree and making swings; Alister - pulling down the tree; Jasper - eating marshmallows; Jacob V - playing in the den and hiding; Jamie - playing on the rope swings; Bastian - marshmallows; William - going in the den; Rafee - playing here; Jacob S - climbing the tree; Noah - having a lady bird on me and climbing the tree; Zoe - swinging on the rope swing; Harry - going inside the castle.

Explorer day, ages 9 - 11, Thur 1st Sept 2011

2011-09-01T10:00:00.002Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

A sunny walk over the aerodrome, picking blackberries as we went. A cool breeze on our backs... the road rose up in front of us. Happy chatting, questions, discussions... Oscar kept it going. We watched some model airplanes. They did some acrobats for us and then landed. We applause and cheered the pilot bowed! We found some small coppice to camp in Amelia and Octavia helped Lenka set up the food - Becca guarded the custard creams. Victor, Zach and Edward went to cut hazel sticks. Ivan, Kai and Oscar tired a fire with a sparker - but no joy. Fin, Zach, Jules and Joe made potions, played with itching powder from rose hips and talked a lot. Meanwhile we made blackberry jam, popcorn, marshmallows, tea, nettle tea. Jules and co had a spear throwing range - payment in King Alfred cakes and moss. Good knife skills shown by Kai and other boys and Becca. Octavia and Amelia learned the peeler and threading techniques. All really fun. The sun lowered in the sky, so we set off home!

Best bits:- Octavia - making spears; Rebecca - spear throwing; Kai - spear making; Joe - shooting range; Victor - making spear; Amelia - eating custard cream and stick making; Zach - running our business; Oscar - eating chocolate; Fin - whittling; Ivan - making knife; Jules - the itching powder

Sebastian's explorer party, turning 7, Thur 1st Sept 2011

2011-09-01T10:00:00.001Z

A four hour adventure party in the countryside.

Lovely weather we had today. We all set off happily walking to camp. It was a lovely walk we took towards the Blacksmith lane and down we went through the kent lane and suddenly found ourselves in the Grumpy man's garden and saw two grumpy dogs. Thereafter, we appeared into a nice green valley. Some people enjoyed running down the valley. Over a style we climbed and had a quick snack, sitting on a fallen ash tree. After our snack we had a little exploring in the field and found some wild and deadly mushrooms. We kept on walking, chatting until we finally arrived camp. Barney made a campfire, Marcus laid out the picnic, everyone had their lunch and later busied themselves by peeling bark off their sticks. Some people fancied going on the rope swing. Later, we closed our camp with marshmallows.

Best bits:- Olivia - climbing the tree and finding the mushrooms; Menna - all of it; Joshua - making my stick and going on the swing; Ella - hmm, all of it; James - climbing the oak tree; Jack - making my stick; Alison - decorating stick; Vanessa - gathering round the fire; Victoria - the fire and making my stick; Rhys - the mint tea

Explorer day, ages 5 - 6, Thur 1st Sept 2011

2011-09-01T10:00:00.000Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

We looked at teasels, tasted rose hip peel, picked blackberries. We stopped in a field for apple snack. A hedge trimmer drove slowly by. Also custard creams. We walked up a lane, coming up onto charmy down, we stopped for more apples, sitting on a wall, looking over the valley. Lovely sunny day. There are loads of blackberries. Some picked dried thistle flowers - it's really soft for making campfires. It was hot + sunny. "We're nearly in the woods". Freya found caterpillar eggs (yellow) + a spider in her nest. We stopped again in the shade + log grass. Jay lay down for a rest. Tobias was loaded up with everyone's bag. A group of boys hid in the long grass + then chased each other. We had to go along the most prickly path ever. Jack was so fearless, he pushed through and explored ahead. The rest of us struggled and made our way through. At last we arrived at 'Dreamland' camp. It's an opening, flat space in a woodland + has a good dead wood for firewood. There are trees for rope swings. Rachel put up 2 and one of the boys invented another one. Rebecca laid out the woodland picnic - bread, ham cheese, ketchup sausages + salami. We settled down for play. Tobias, Freya + Hannah did the campfire. Sue set up wood working. Ollie, Oli and Tom enjoyed heating up the end of their stick in the fire, closely supervised by Rebecca. She made popcorn. "I really like it here", Forbes. George, Ben, Hannah, Freya + Forbes whittled. Arthur sat and read a land rover magazine! (My son). The sun shines onto the ground in pools of light. We have marshmallows + blackberry jam. Ben especially loves it, yum. Some used coloured threads to decorate their sticks. We had to bash our way out of the wood again. It has grown so much over the summer. Some of us got stung. Every one was so brave. Rosie found some water in an animal trough - she got in + had a drink!.

Best bits:- Freya - making my sticks; Jay - having a go on the swing; Tom - everything; Ollie - running in the long grass; Jack - all of it; Hannah - when I was making my stick; Ben - having a burnt marshmallows and a go on the swing; Forbes - when we were on the swings; Madi - playing fetch with Rosie... Oh getting this stick; George - making my stick.

Explorer day, ages 5 - 7, Wed 31st Aug 2011

2011-08-31T10:00:00.004Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

We went into a graveyard and sat under a walnut tree for a fruit snack. We discussed penknife - injuries and showed what tools the penknife had. We told each other our ' worst injuries'. We went down into a valley. Rosie jumped into the water, watch out! She shook when she gets out! We walked through a field of sheep. At an ancient oak we stopped. Henry and Sebastian swung on the swing. Amy found elderberries. The tree is hollow and has a sandy cave in it. Oscar climbed in and was intrigued by a white growth inside. We has cheese, apple and carrots. Noah climbed into the hollow. Oscar played 'tree drums' from within. Whilst some of us peeled bark off freshly cut hazel, Amy and Freddie explored around the stream. We climbed up the valley. Sebastian arranges his stick so he's ready to 'draw his sword' against a baddy. We picked blackberries. Oscar and Freddies had a good technique for holding down brambles laden with berries for others to reach. We found a 'goldmine' of blackberries. Our collecting pot is getting full. Henry bashed thistles with his stick - their flower heads are dry and the seeds fly about. We climbed up a steep slope and had a javelin throwing competition, Henry 1st place. Noah saw a dead rabbit. Rhys won next time, then Noah. We made camp in a new place - lots of trees, dry wood for fire, good places for rope swings. Some boys helped me make a camp fire. We had a feast - toasted sausages ("hope the smoke alarm doesn't go off!" Henry), Jam made from our blackberries, toast, cheese and ketchup. The jam is yummy. All too soon it was time to go. Rosie disturbed a pheasant - a big bird which buzzed into the air. We checked the garage with the bird's nests - swallows flew out "perhaps they are flying to Africa!"

Best bits:- Rosie - running and going into the stream; Rhys - I can't pick it, it was all too good; Amy - I like all of it but my best bit is when I threw the stick for the dog; Freddie - the marshmallows and playing fetch with Rosie; Henry - probably, I don't know... I liked every part; Sebastian - getting Rosie; Noah - I liked cooking the toast; Oscar - roasting the marshmallows, eating them and chasing them and being the judge of javelin.

Explorer day, ages 8 - 11, Wed 31st Aug 2011

2011-08-31T10:00:00.002Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll down for photos.

Passing under a bridge into a lay-by we tasted a few things from nature's table... wild carrots, Rose hip (without itching power), blackberries and nettles. In the lane we met a small horse and named it 'Stumpy'. We trotted down a bridle way into a lush green valley. We discovered a common puff ball and another mushroom that looked inky and inedible. After looking in a book we thought it might be Hygrocybe nigrecens. We coppiced some hazel poles, which helped us climb the thousand steps towards the top of the world. After the summit we looked over to Solsbury hill and chatted about Saxons and Celts. In some long grass we lifted up some corrugated and saw a lovely field mouse. By the old farm yard we collected some dead ash twigs to be used on our fire. We helped each other under a fence and made a new trail into camp. We set up a woodland cafe and Lucy served lunch of sausages, cheese, bread, ham, ketchup and biscuits. Everyone helped to keep the fire going. Everyone was relaxed and happy. We enjoyed peeling and decorating our sticks, making five finger braids, swinging, relaxing in the hammock. Marcus made more comfortable seat for the rope swing while Lucy cooked perfect popcorn. We had marshmallows before setting off, back to H.Q.

Best bits:- Harvey - the walk; Harry - popcorn and hammock, maybe; Erin - everything really; Ayana - drinking from my bottle and annoying Ollie; Lottie - all of it; Ollie - don't know, Everything; Lucy - learning 5 finger weaving and collapsing table; Marcus - repairing the rope swing

Explorer day, ages 8 - 11, Tues 30th Aug 2011

2011-08-30T10:00:00.029Z

An explorer day is a 6 hour adventure in the countryside. Scroll don for photos.

We made our way through a young beech woodland and found the skeleton of a badger. We looked for the skull but couldn't find it. Biscuit tie and oscar unpacked his bag ad showed us treasures from America - a clay flute and hunting knife from the Navajo tribe. Ben, James and Arthur collected kindling woods. Jac and Ivan looked at sticks to test their burning capabilities. Edward and Angus helped us down a steep bank with a rope. Aidan and Jasper chatted with George. Up the thousand steps to find a camp area. Barney and Nathan carried hazel sticks. Edward, Angus, Freya, Aidan and Lucy worked on a den with a tarpaulin roof. Jac, Oscar and Ivan started their small fire to run some burning experiments. Ben, Arthur, James and Jasper worked on a wall and fire: a cosy base, under which we laid out the picnic. Angus ate his lunch up a tree, Nathan beside me, others took their food and went back to their activities. Barney led knife work, with Freya, Angus and James. Aidan showed great skills in dry stone walling. We had fun with popcorn, marshmallows and general fire skills. Lots of really good chat, friendship, gentleness and fun!

Best bits:- Aidan - making my walls; Freya - carving stick and den; Ivan - whittling; Oscar - don't know; Jasper - wall and den; Edward - making the sticks; Nathan - sausages, den and weapons; James - fire; Angus - making sticks, den and climbing; Ben - making fire; Arthur - fire; Jac - making camp