When they arrived they were met by one of the organisers, Jordan, who was dressed in camouflage along with matching face paint. Jordan was super enthusiastic and led them all down the track and in through the woods to the base camp they would be using. The company that had organised it had been there early and had set up canopies between the trees (in case it rained), a fire-pit and even a portable toilet in a small tent!
Here, we met the rest of the team who were going to run the party along with Jordan – Chris (the owner of the company) Julie and Mike. They were all super friendly and really engaged the interest of all the children – who were mainly a group of 8 year old girls with a few of their younger brothers – no mean feat!
After first explaining how to stay safe in the woods (all about staying in the immediate area, not going near the cordoned off fire and how to use the toilet) they were then made ready for the outdoors with face paint and a camouflage headband. They then went straight into the first activity. They were each given some clay and then a tree trunk they had to make a clay face using all the natural material in the woods (sticks, leaves, etc). When Chris was explaining what they were to do he was also educating them about different things in the wood.
They all loved it and there were some great faces stuck to the trees. This set them up for the next activity which was to make a fairy house. Again they scavenged for lots of natural material that had fallen from trees and all set about building fairy houses. They were then given a fairy door, this really sparked their imaginations! As well as lots of creative activities they did a brilliant mental/teamwork challenge – they were in pairs tied together by a piece of rope around their wrists and had to work out how to get out of it!
Next they got into the den building which they had all been looking forward to. In small groups they were given ropes, netting and tarpaulin and had to build a den using these and sticks and leaves. I think I enjoyed it as much as the children. Once they had built their den they then got to have lunch. In true camping style they had hot dogs which had been cooked on the camp fire. They all took them back into their den to eat!
We thought it would be tough to prise them out of their dens and I’m sure it would have been until they had the offer of marshmallows toasted on sticks on the campfire. They were all straight out and wanted their turn. They were all well supervised by the campfire and once toasted they put the marshmallow into two digestives – I found out they were called a s’more. Each child got a survival bracelet at the end of the party as well
The party came to an end and we had to drag the kids out of the woods. The party lasted for just over 2 hours but I‘m sure they would have stayed longer if they could. It was very different to other parties that we had been to and I think the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids. When we were leaving both my children were planning on which of their birthdays they would be having a den building party while the organisers were dismantling the dens and other activities to ensure the woods were left exactly as we found them.
The party was run by GoWild Outdoors, a new business owned by Chris, a local school teacher and scout leader, and took place in Calverley Woods (although they also can do it many other woods if you want something more local to you). They also run similar activities in local schools and after school clubs. We couldn’t recommend them more.
For more details visit www.gowildoutdoors.org.uk or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @GoWildOutdoors
*Mumbler was not paid for this review, all of the comments in this review are our open and honest opinion. Details correct at time of publishing; June 2019.
