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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

DD13 nervous about Bushcraft Company trip - any experiences?

18 replies

lucasnorth · 25/02/2023 22:59

DD is going on a 5 day trip with the whole year group where they’ll be camping out and learning outdoorsy skills.
She is fairly confident physically but in tears tonight about the whole thing. School haven’t helped by not talking to the kids about the trip at all, and the company website isn’t exactly reassuring.
Toilets are portaloos with no sign in the picture of hand washing facilities. Mention in the FAQ of ‘sanitiser and water’ being available but DD wears contacts and not at all clear there will be hygiene facilities for that (eg soap, as well as the water).
And apparently (rumour going round the year) they are only allowed one shower for the week; she’s not very regular yet but may well be on her period while they’re there.
Has anyone had any experience with this company with their DC, and can you offer any reassurance on facilities?! She has begged me not to email the school to ask but that may be the next step…

OP posts:
Pancakes2023 · 25/02/2023 23:23

I didn't go myself but my school did this trip (not sure if exact same company but sounds similar). Some of the kids moaned about the facilities but overall had a great time (roasting marshmallows, cooking own food, learning how to make a fire, sleeping in tents with friends etc). So maybe focus on the positives. Even the teachers were nervous beforehand about the facilities so it's completely normal (and part of the experience!).

How soon is the trip? Usually for big trips schools do an information evening closer to the time or send out more details with what to expect/pack. It was only the week before that the teachers spoke to the children in class and they had opportunity to ask questions.

From what I remember at our school the teachers took plenty of water in big water bottles, and maybe take some wet wipes in case the shower facilities aren't great. Hand sanitiser for putting contacts in and plenty of warm clothes to sleep in at night!

Hope that helps.

Original poster
lucasnorth · 25/02/2023 23:40

Thanks Pancakes, sounds reassuring.
Do you know, were the girls who had their period while they were there ok with the facilities?
Trip isn’t for a few weeks so you’re right there may be more info coming, but the year above are winding them all up about it so if they do get round to it it’ll be too late…
As you say though, am focussing on the positives with DD 🙂

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MaMisled · 25/02/2023 23:50

That would be my dream trip! I love bushcraft and camping! As has been said already really, wet wipes, tissues, warm clothes, fingerless gloves, head torch, thick socks, thermal undies. We go wild / stealth camping and love it. I'm sure you're child will embrace it despite the lack of home comforts.

MaMisled · 25/02/2023 23:53

My DDs used to take a little discreet roll of dog pooh bags to put sanitary waste in if a bin wasn't immediately handy.

Original poster
lucasnorth · 26/02/2023 00:08

Thanks for reassurance, and kit list ideas noted 🙂

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WandaWonder · 26/02/2023 00:19

My child hasn't does this but heaps of camps with scouts, it is perfectly normal for kids to enjoy them and learn lots from them, it usually the parents that have the issues not the children

Sunfunsurf · 26/02/2023 00:23

Yes, DD used this company for a trip to Blenheim Woods. She is also a contact lens wearer and that was her main issue. Nobody at school had mentioned that although there was running water available, there weren’t sinks with soap etc set up. I’d really recommend she takes hand soap and a pop up bowl to have a proper hand wash morning and night to do contacts. DD ended up in glasses as she wasn’t prepared. I know hand wipes and hand sanitizer are a real no no in our house prior to touching contacts.
Other than that though, she did enjoy the trip and the activities on offer. There was all sorts of thing to do and it’s always good to be out camping with friends.

Original poster
lucasnorth · 26/02/2023 07:42

Pop up bowl is a great idea, thank you

OP posts:
nicknamehelp · 26/02/2023 07:52

Could you contact the school and ask them about issue with contact lenses? I'm sure there will be a way round it.

Original poster
lucasnorth · 26/02/2023 11:01

Thanks - yes, feeling like I’ll end up asking school despite DDs groans!

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Beamur · 26/02/2023 11:07

Definitely ask the school and tell your DD not to be so daft.
Regarding contacts - is she wearing soft lenses? Maybe she could use daily disposables during the trip. Hands would still need to be clean to put them in, but she could take a can of saline?
Periods - if she's regular there's a short term drug you can take that stops one cycle

TressiliansStone · 26/02/2023 11:22

Or use the backpacker's hand washing technique. You could practice it at home before she goes.

Pour a little shampoo or liquid soap into your hand, and rub it over both hands.

Get a friend to pour a very little bit of water into your palm. Use that to froth up the shampoo and rub it thoroughly all over your hands.

Get the friend to pour more water to rinse it off. The rinsing can be done in brief spurts if you need to conserve water.

hettiethehare · 26/02/2023 11:22

Sunfunsurf · 26/02/2023 00:23

Yes, DD used this company for a trip to Blenheim Woods. She is also a contact lens wearer and that was her main issue. Nobody at school had mentioned that although there was running water available, there weren’t sinks with soap etc set up. I’d really recommend she takes hand soap and a pop up bowl to have a proper hand wash morning and night to do contacts. DD ended up in glasses as she wasn’t prepared. I know hand wipes and hand sanitizer are a real no no in our house prior to touching contacts.
Other than that though, she did enjoy the trip and the activities on offer. There was all sorts of thing to do and it’s always good to be out camping with friends.

I'd agree with this - DD did a 2 night/ 3 day trip with this company a couple of years ago and proper handwashing wasn't really available - yes there was tonnes of handsanitizer (this was peak covid) but actual soap and water washing wasn't really available.

I'd agree about taking a small bowl/ handsoap and a mirror for lenses. I do this for festivals and it works fine.

DD enjoyed her trip, but I think it was a good thing it was only a couple of days - they found it very full on as they weren't allowed just to chill in their tents at any point so it felt very full on.

Original poster
lucasnorth · 26/02/2023 23:53

Thanks all, appreciated

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GaryAxolotl · 10/11/2024 22:04

I have many things to say about The Bushcraft Company but I will explain about the main experience. Firstly, I was told by my daughter that the tent situation was terrible, it had no padding beneath the tent meaning there were big tree stumps obstructing their sleep. The children were also threatened to wash dishes the next morning if they were talking at night. As if things couldn't get any worse, a camp director was even sacked for hurting a child. My daughter felt very unsafe and came back in tears. I payed over £300 for the children to be eating stale burgers in an exhausting environment. I HIGHLY recommend that you avoid this place.

CharlieLarlie · 28/05/2025 10:50

GaryAxolotl · 10/11/2024 22:04

I have many things to say about The Bushcraft Company but I will explain about the main experience. Firstly, I was told by my daughter that the tent situation was terrible, it had no padding beneath the tent meaning there were big tree stumps obstructing their sleep. The children were also threatened to wash dishes the next morning if they were talking at night. As if things couldn't get any worse, a camp director was even sacked for hurting a child. My daughter felt very unsafe and came back in tears. I payed over £300 for the children to be eating stale burgers in an exhausting environment. I HIGHLY recommend that you avoid this place.

Which location was this please? @GaryAxolotl

MickMellow · 04/06/2025 12:39

Sunfunsurf · 26/02/2023 00:23

Yes, DD used this company for a trip to Blenheim Woods. She is also a contact lens wearer and that was her main issue. Nobody at school had mentioned that although there was running water available, there weren’t sinks with soap etc set up. I’d really recommend she takes hand soap and a pop up bowl to have a proper hand wash morning and night to do contacts. DD ended up in glasses as she wasn’t prepared. I know hand wipes and hand sanitizer are a real no no in our house prior to touching contacts.
Other than that though, she did enjoy the trip and the activities on offer. There was all sorts of thing to do and it’s always good to be out camping with friends.

I know hand wipes and hand sanitizer are a real no no in our house prior to touching contacts. Why not hand sanitisers?

Original poster
lucasnorth · 09/06/2025 13:03

I think because you end up with residue from the sanitiser in your eye which could sting; and doesn’t remove dirt so could get specks of dirt in your eye too.

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