Twelve young explorers from across Weardale successfully completed their first three-day Forest Survival Camp in the ancient woodlands of Rookhope last weekend. Armed with rainboots, outdoor gear, and boundless enthusiasm, the young people learned essential bushcraft, tracking, and campfire cooking.
The camp, organized by the Weardale Forest School and Outdoor Exploration, is designed to build confidence, independence, and an enduring respect for our beautiful North Pennines landscape. Under the guidance of certified leaders, the children constructed waterproof temporary shelters using only fallen branches and leaf litter.
“It was so cool!” says ten-year-old Toby. “We learned how to make fire using sparks, and we cooked our own flatbreads over the open flame. I was a bit scared of the rain at first, but our shelter stayed totally dry!”
The survival camp is part of the Weardale Together Young People program, aiming to connect rural youth with hands-on nature discovery. Regular forest school sessions continue every Saturday throughout the summer.