October Half Term Halloween Camp

The woodland witch has scattered clues through Hunningley's ancient trees. Your child's quest? Follow them — and break the spell before the campfire dies.

Here's what they'll find along the way:

• Follow the lantern trail — Wind through the woods by lantern light, hunting for the witch's hidden clues. Each one tells a piece of the story.
• Build a den for shelter — Gather branches, leaves, and imagination to raise a woodland hideout. Every den becomes part of the adventure.
• Light the campfire and toast s'mores — Learn to strike a spark, feed the flames, and toast gooey s'mores over an open fire. The spell breaks with the first bite.
• Aim for the target — Soft archery in the clearing. Focus, steady hands, and a cheer when the arrow lands.
• Mud, glorious mud — Muddy faces, muddy hands, muddy boots. The witch doesn't scare easily, but she's never met a determined Wildling.
• Storytelling around the fire — As the light fades, the group gathers round the flames for tales of woodland mischief and magic.

Our woodland setting

Tucked among the trees at Hunningley Primary Academy in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, our forest school sessions take place in a proper patch of woodland — not a trimmed playing field with a few saplings at the edge, but real trees, real undergrowth, and real mud. Children arrive in their boots and waterproofs, step off the path, and the woods become their classroom for the session. There's space to roam, branches to duck under, and the kind of uneven, unpredictable ground that teaches balance and awareness far better than any playground surface. Rain or shine, we're out there — because that's when the woodland is at its most alive.

What we get up to

Sessions are hands-on and child-led, shaped around what the group is curious about that day rather than a rigid timetable. Children build dens from branches and tarps (and learn plenty when one falls down and they have to work out why). They learn to light fires safely with supervision, toast s'mores over the embers, and sit around the campfire for seasonal storytelling. There's archery, tightrope walking and climbing for children who like to push themselves; mud play, arts and crafts, and nature discovery for those who want to explore at their own pace. We introduce tool use as children are ready for it — whittling, sawing, hammering — always with a qualified leader close by. Everything is optional, nothing is forced, and children quickly learn to judge their own risks.

What your child takes away

Forest school isn't just about fresh air and fun, though there's plenty of both. Over time, children grow in ways that are hard to replicate indoors. Confidence builds as they try things for themselves and succeed — or try, fail, and try again. Resilience grows when a den collapses and they rebuild it, or when a fire won't catch and they figure out what's missing. Teamwork comes naturally when you're hauling branches together or helping someone across a wobbly bridge. Independence, problem-solving, creativity, and emotional wellbeing all develop through real, hands-on experience in a setting that genuinely stretches them. And somewhere along the way, most children develop a quiet, lasting connection to the natural world that stays with them long after the session ends.

Small groups, expert hands

We keep groups intentionally small so every child is seen, heard, and properly supported. Sessions are led by qualified Level 3 forest school leaders — first aid trained, safety-first, but never wrapping children in cotton wool. We believe children deserve the freedom to climb, build, get muddy, and make real decisions, within a framework that keeps them safe. And because we're a Community Interest Company, we genuinely believe the outdoors belongs to every child — not just those whose families can afford enrichment activities.

Come and join us

If your child is five or older and ready for an adventure that's a bit different from the usual, we'd love to have them along. Bring boots, bring waterproofs, and bring a sense of curiosity — we'll handle the rest.

Please bring sensible footwear and waterproofs.
Please bring lunch and snack and a water bottle to last for the session.
Please bring a change of clothes if needed, especially spare socks and shoes
Please ensure your child’s clothing is clearly labelled.