Early in June, Form 5 headed off to an area of beautiful Oxfordshire woodland just outside Henley. Here they were taught about woodland management, wild camping and bush craft. They also used this trip as an opportunity to extend their scientific knowledge by carrying out some ecological research using quadrats.
Using fire steels to light fires; putting up a hammock and bivouac; collecting and purifying rain water and learning how to maintain a healthy wood were amongst the some of the skills they acquired during the day.
If you went down to the woods in June
You would have had a big surprise
If you went down to the woods in June
You had better have gone in disguise!
For every 5th Former that ever there was
Was gathered there for certain because,
that was the day the budding Beare Grylls
Learnt to light fires for their picnic.’
.TB