It may have been November, but the local Girl Guides were keen to be out side having fun at their ‘survival camp’. The day started with a safety briefing and introduction to the Bushcraft skills they would be learning. The first activity was with learning how to successfully light campfire. The Guides gathered tinder, sticks and branches from the woods and then set about lighting their fires using fire steels. After some practice with the fire steels, each team had a fire.
Next it was shelter building. The shelters were made using the natural resources of the woodland; guidance was on hand at all times.
It was lovely to see the Guides competitive nature, the youngest team really wanted to have the best shelter and they did a fine job if it too.
Time for a challenge; preparing Rainbow Trout for tea. The Guides gutted and filleted the fish – not everyone was keen at first, but they soon got stuck in and got the job done. The Trout was ponassed over their campfires. Ponassing is a little like a kebab, using a split stick and skewers to support the fish and then the fish is cooked over a bed of embers. Everyone enjoyed their tea of Trout and salad wrapped in a tortilla.
Thank you very much David, the feedback from tonight’s meeting is that the Girl Guides all really enjoyed the Bushcraft, so thank you!